Pear and Almond Cake Recipe with Crispy Frangipane Topping

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions & Variations
• How to Make Pear Almond Cake
• 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
• 2: Whisk in the Eggs
• 3: Add the Flours
• 4: Pour Batter into the Pan
• 5: Prep the Pears
• 6: Top with Pears and Almonds
• 7: Bake and Cool
• 8: Top and Serve
• Tips to Make the Best Almond Pear Cake
• What Goes with Pear Almond Cake?
• Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
• More Cake Recipes to Try
• Pear Almond Cake Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This pear cake is straightforward and forgiving—great if you’re new to baking.
• It’s easy to customize with different mix-ins or extracts, and you can swap ingredients to suit dietary needs.
• Light, moist, and not overly sweet, it’s ideal for brunch, tea, or a simple dessert without heavy frosting.

Ingredients Needed

For this pear almond cake you’ll need ripe pears, almond flour, and common pantry staples. The combination of almond flour and a little all-purpose flour gives the cake a tender crumb with a pleasant nuttiness.

Pears: Choose ripe but firm pears without soft spots so they hold up during baking.

Eggs: Add structure and moisture.

Butter: Unsalted butter gives richness; you can use a neutral oil for a dairy-free version.

Flour: A mix of almond flour and all-purpose flour provides texture and body.

Sugar: Granulated sugar for the batter and icing sugar to dust the finished cake.

Baking powder: Ensures the cake rises and stays light.

Almond flakes: For a crunchy topping.

Vanilla and lemon zest: Add fragrance and brightness.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use gluten-free baking flour in place of all-purpose flour to make this gluten-free.
• For a dairy-free cake, replace butter with an equal amount of neutral oil.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warm fall spice.
• Stir in a little almond extract for more pronounced almond flavor.

How to Make Pear Almond Cake

Preheat the oven to 375°F (no fan). Grease an 8″ or 10″ cake pan and line the bottom with parchment.

1: Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat the butter with lemon zest, vanilla, and granulated sugar until pale and airy. A stand mixer or a whisk by hand both work.

2: Whisk in the Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until combined.

3: Add the Flours

Stir in the milk, then fold in the almond flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt until evenly combined. Avoid overmixing.

4: Pour Batter into the Pan

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

5: Prep the Pears

Peel the pears, halve them, remove the cores, and slice them lengthwise. Arrange the slices so they look even on the cake.

6: Top with Pears and Almonds

Arrange the pear slices over the batter and sprinkle with flaked almonds for a golden, crunchy finish.

Tips to Make the Best Almond Pear Cake

• Weigh flour where possible for consistent results.
• Check your baking powder’s expiry to ensure a good rise.
• Do not overmix after adding flour to keep the cake tender.
• Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for longer.
• Only dust with icing sugar once the cake is completely cool to avoid melting the sugar.

What Goes with Pear Almond Cake?

This cake is delightful on its own, but you can elevate a slice with a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream for a simple dessert. It also pairs nicely with other tea-time treats if serving at a brunch or party.