Spiced Pear Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce: Your Essential Fall and Winter Holiday Recipe

This festive, aromatic spiced pear bundt cake is a spectacular centerpiece for any and all fall, winter, and holiday gatherings. Its rich flavors and stunning presentation make it an unforgettable dessert.

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As the calendar flips from the vibrant hues of October to the cozy embrace of November, my thoughts inevitably turn to the joy of baking. It’s a delightful ritual I anticipate months in advance, meticulously planning an array of cookies, candies, pastries, cakes, and other exquisite desserts for the upcoming holiday season. This annual tradition not only ensures a sweet and memorable end to every year but also allows me to approach the holidays feeling thoroughly prepared and filled with culinary excitement. There’s something truly magical about transforming simple ingredients into comforting treats, and this Spiced Pear Bundt Cake is no exception.

My quest for inspiration often leads me to the pages of cherished magazines and beloved cookbooks. I pore over old favorites, seeking comfort in familiar flavors, but I also eagerly hunt for new titles that promise to add a fresh twist to my holiday repertoire. This year, one particular craft and cookbook instantly captured my heart from the moment I first opened its covers: Scandinavian Gatherings, penned by the incredibly talented Melissa Bahen, the creative force behind the popular blog Lulu the Baker. Melissa and I have been online friends for several years, yet, for reasons I can’t quite explain, I hadn’t acquired her book until now—despite its initial release in 2016. I can only lament those two lost years spent sans Scandinavian crafts and delectable treats, but I’m making up for lost time with enthusiasm!

I’ve always been profoundly drawn to the unique charm of the Scandinavian aesthetic. It’s a style that I would describe as beautifully minimalist, yet simultaneously radiating warmth and an inviting coziness. It’s discreet, almost understated, but possesses an undeniable assertiveness in its design. There’s a whimsical quality to it, but one that remains sophisticated and never veers into childishness. Scandinavian Gatherings is a perfect embodiment of all these qualities, offering a captivating journey into this world. Every time I open the book, I find myself yearning to step directly into the enchanting tablescapes and inviting rooms Melissa has so skillfully created. The crafts presented are refreshingly simple and entirely doable, looking like pieces you don’t just *want* in your home décor, but genuinely *need*. The book is thoughtfully organized by occasion, spanning from spring to winter and covering meals from breakfast to dinner. Each chapter features a concise and impeccably curated selection of savory and sweet recipes, alongside a handful of engaging projects. This thoughtful structure means you could easily choose to execute an entire chapter, thereby effortlessly recreating Melissa’s beautiful vision within your own home. Or, if you’re like me, you might find yourself bookmarking the entire book, diving headfirst into a delightful craft and baking frenzy!

I’ve already had the pleasure of trying a few recipes from Scandinavian Gatherings, and each one has been an absolute hit. The Caramel Almond Sponge Cake (page 191) was incredibly easy to prepare and proved so irresistibly delicious that it has undoubtedly secured a spot in my regular baking rotation. Another delightful discovery was the Smoked Salmon, Herbed Cream Cheese, and Baby Cucumber Open-Faced Sandwiches (page 69); enjoying these on a snowy weekday made me feel nothing short of a queen. There are countless more recipes I’m eager to explore—the breads, in particular, look spectacular and beckon with their promise of deliciousness. However, the true showpiece, the crowning glory, from Scandinavian Gatherings has to be this magnificent Spiced Pear Bundt Cake. It’s a dessert that not only tastes incredible but also makes a stunning visual statement.

Throughout my many years of baking, I’ve come to realize that few desserts capture attention and impress guests quite like a beautifully crafted bundt cake. Their distinctive, often intricate shapes are spectacular, transforming a simple cake into a work of art. But beyond their visual appeal, what truly makes bundt cakes exceptional is their ability to deeply infuse flavors and hold generous garnishes. This particular Spiced Pear Bundt Cake is a testament to that, featuring a lavish amount of aromatic spices. Cinnamon provides a comforting warmth, cardamom adds an exotic, fragrant note, nutmeg lends a deep, earthy sweetness, and cloves contribute a subtle, pungent kick. These spices are perfectly balanced, creating an inviting aroma that permeates your kitchen. Complementing this spice symphony are succulent, jammy bits of pear, generously distributed throughout the cake, adding pockets of natural sweetness and delightful moisture. This cake is not only surprisingly easy to whip up but also fills your entire home with a heavenly scent for hours on end—a reward in itself long before the first slice is even cut.

While this cake is absolutely delicious served simply as is, perhaps with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, if you truly want to elevate the experience and indulge your senses, the accompanying salted caramel sauce is an absolute must. Yes, the thought of making caramel from scratch can sometimes be intimidating, but I promise you, it is much easier than it looks. The process simply involves a patient vigil by the stove for approximately 8 minutes, watching as sugar boils and gradually transforms into a beautiful, gleaming amber. Once it reaches that perfect hue, you swiftly whisk in heavy cream and the remaining ingredients. This simple act yields, in my humble opinion, the best dessert sauce imaginable. Its rich, buttery, sweet-and-salty complexity will have you craving it on everything. You’ll want to pour it liberally over every slice of this bundt cake, drizzle it onto apple and pear pies, spoon it over ice creams and gelati, and perhaps even introduce a decadent twist to your morning granola. After all, why not? You only live once!

In her original Scandinavian Gatherings recipe, Melissa opted for a classic caramel sauce. However, I’ve reached a point where I simply cannot make caramel without adding a touch of salt! Salt introduces such an addictive, perfectly balancing counterpoint to desserts, especially to the deep sweetness of caramel. Rest assured, though, the salted aspect is entirely optional if you prefer your caramel unadulterated. Melissa also suggests serving a dollop of fresh whipped cream with the cake, an idea I absolutely adore, though I’d never decline a generous scoop of luxurious vanilla bean gelato either. The choice is yours, but the caramel is truly the star here.

To take the presentation of this Spiced Pear Bundt Cake from beautiful to truly spectacular, I’m including detailed instructions for making crispy pear chips. These delicate, subtly sweet, and wonderfully crunchy chips add an elegant flourish and a delightful textural contrast that will undoubtedly impress your guests. In fact, be warned: your guests are likely to vie for these exquisite pear chips, so it’s wise to make an ample supply! While making them isn’t inherently difficult, it does require a few specific tools and a bit of foresight. A mandoline is essential for achieving the extra-thin, uniform pear slices needed for perfect crispiness. Additionally, they require a relatively long baking time in a low oven, meaning you’ll need to plan ahead. I highly recommend going this extra mile and preparing these pear chips, especially if you’re serving this magnificent cake for a special evening, a festive holiday celebration, or even a memorable birthday party. They transform the cake into an even more unforgettable centerpiece.

Helpful Tips for Making Your Spiced Pear Bundt Cake a Success

• The Art of Buttering Your Bundt Pan is Key: Bundt cake pans are renowned for their diverse and often elaborate shapes and forms. Many, such as the one I frequently use, feature intricate patterns that can be challenging if not prepared correctly. To ensure your beautifully baked cake effortlessly releases from the pan, preserving its stunning shape, you must butter it incredibly thoroughly. My preferred method involves using a pastry brush and very soft, but crucially, not melted butter. Melted butter tends to run and pool in the deeper cavities, which can create bare spots where the cake will stick. What you want is an even, consistent coating that adheres to all the nooks, crannies, and delicate patterns of the pan. Following this, you’ll dust the entire buttered pan with all-purpose flour, making sure to shake out any excess. These two seemingly small steps take a bit of extra time and care, but the magnificent, perfectly formed cake your patience will yield is absolutely worth every moment of effort. A well-released bundt cake is a true baker’s triumph!

• Selecting the Perfect Pears: Ripe, Not Mushy: The success of this cake hinges on using the right kind of pears—specifically, firm varieties that will maintain their structural integrity and delightful texture even after baking. Excellent choices for this recipe include Bosc, Anjou, and Rocha pears, all known for their robust flesh. The pears you select should be ripe, offering a juicy sweetness, but still notably firm to the touch. This firmness is crucial because it ensures that the diced pieces hold their shape beautifully throughout the cake, preventing them from dissolving into an indistinguishable mush. You can easily tell if a pear is overripe if it exhibits several browned spots on its skin, or if it bruises very easily when you apply gentle pressure with the tip of your finger. Overripe pears will break down too much during baking, compromising the cake’s texture and visual appeal.

• Batching Your Salted Caramel Sauce: This recipe yields a generous quantity of salted caramel sauce, more than enough to beautifully drizzle over the entire bundt cake and serve alongside each slice. However, if you’re looking to make an extra-special impression or prepare thoughtful homemade gifts for the holidays, you could very easily double the recipe to produce an additional jar or two. This luscious caramel makes a truly wonderful, much-appreciated present. Should you decide to double the recipe, it’s important to use a larger saucepan. This ensures that the water and sugar mixture initially comes up only about 1 inch (2.5 cm) up the sides of the pan. Maintaining this lower liquid level is key to ensuring the cooking time remains similar to the original recipe, and it provides ample room for the caramel to bubble vigorously (and safely!) without boiling over when you incorporate the heavy cream.

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Spiced Pear Bundt Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce

This festive, aromatic spiced pear bundt cake is a spectacular centerpiece for any and all fall, winter, and holiday gatherings.

Prep Time:40 minutes mins

Cook Time:1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

For the Pear Chips:2 hours hrs

Servings 12 servings

Author Marie Asselin, foodnouveau.com / Adapted from the book Scandinavian Gatherings by Melissa Bahen

Ingredients

For the Crispy Pear Chips

• 2 firm pears thinly sliced on a mandoline slicer, seeds and stalks retained, outer slices discarded
• 1/4 cup 60 ml granulated sugar

For the Spiced Pear Bundt Cake

• 1 cup 250 ml granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup 180 ml lightly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup 180 ml butter, at room temperature
• 2 tsp 10 ml pure vanilla extract
• 4 eggs at room temperature
• 3 cups 750 ml all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp 5 ml baking powder
• 1/2 tsp 2 ml baking soda
• 1/2 tsp 2 ml kosher salt
• 1 tsp 5 ml ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp 2 ml ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp 2 ml freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp 1 ml ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp 1 ml ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cups 375 ml whole milk
• 3 cups 750 ml peeled, chopped, and diced ripe pears (about 4 Bosc or Anjou pears, or 6 to 8 Rocha pears)

For the Salted Caramel Sauce

• 3/4 cup 180 ml granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup 125 ml water
• 1/2 + 2 tbsp 155 ml heavy cream
• 1/4 cup 60 ml butter
• 1 tsp 5 ml pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 to 1 tsp 2 to 5 ml kosher salt, to taste

To serve

• Chopped toasted pecans optional

Instructions

• For the Crispy Pear Chips: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the sugar in a shallow plate. Using a paper towel, pat the pear slices dry, then carefully dip both sides of each pear slice into the sugar to coat. Transfer the pear slices to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 50 minutes. Carefully turn, then bake for an additional 60 to 90 minutes, or until the pear chips are light golden. (The chips will finish crisping up as they cool.) Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an open container, with parchment paper sheets in between layers to avoid the pear chips from sticking to one another, until ready to use.
• For the Spiced Pear Bundt Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). If you’re using a dark Bundt pan, preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Generously butter and flour the interior of the Bundt pan, shaking out any excess flour.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer, beat the sugars and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and eggs one at a time, beating on medium speed after each addition until smooth.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
• With the mixer on low speed, add one-third of the flour mixture to the butter-and-sugar mixture, followed by half of the milk. Continue alternating flour and milk until all have been added. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula, then beat the batter on high speed for 20 to 30 seconds. Using a spatula, fold the pears into the batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake for about 65 minutes, or until the cake begins to pull away from the edges of pan, and a bamboo skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Allow the spiced pear bundt cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then gently invert it onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the Salted Caramel Sauce: In a small aluminum saucepan with tall sides set over medium heat, cook the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high and cook, without stirring, until the mixture caramelizes and turns amber-colored, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Immediately remove the caramel from the heat and whisk in the cream. The mixture will sputter and splash, so wearing an oven mitt and/or long sleeves is a great idea. If the mixture sieves up, whisk it over medium heat just until it becomes smooth again.
• Add the butter, vanilla, and salt, whisk until smooth, and allow it to cool to room temperature. If you’re making the sauce in advance, transfer it to a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
• SERVING: Serve the Spiced Pear Bundt Cake at room temperature. Gently reheat the salted caramel sauce if it was refrigerated. Drizzle the sauce over the cake, then stand some apple chips on top of the cake, gently pressing them down to slightly insert them into the caramel and the cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecans, if using. Present the cake to your guests, bask into their compliments, then slice into portions and drizzle each with more caramel.

STORAGE

• Store leftover Spiced Pear Bundt Cake under a cake dome or in an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for up to 24 hours, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Store leftover caramel sauce in a glass jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Pear chips will soften as days pass, so it’s best to eat them within 24 hours.

Did you make this?

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The Spiced Pear Bundt Cake and Salted Caramel Sauce recipes presented here have been thoughtfully adapted from the exquisite cookbook Scandinavian Gatherings by Melissa Bahen. Copyright © 2016 Melissa Bahen. Published by Sasquatch Books. Reproduced by arrangement with the Author and Publisher. All rights reserved. The Crispy Pear Chips recipe was skillfully adapted from Taste.com.au.

Disclosure notice: As a courtesy, I received a complimentary copy of the Scandinavian Gatherings book for review purposes. This was provided without any obligation for a positive review, and my opinions remain my own.

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