Monday, November 15, 2010

Applesauce Pear Cake Draped in Caramel


This is the Caramel Draped Applesauce Pear cake that I made for Sunday Dinner.  I actually made two of them on Saturday; I am taking one to a funeral luncheon today.  The cake has a drippy, gooey, yummy caramel sauce which covers a spicy cake.  I had seen a cake made using the Nordic Ware Harvest Basket pan (sometimes called Fancy Marianne) pan on a Foodie Friday entry.  Soon after that, I found the pan on clearance; you can use any cake pan and then adjust the cooking time.   I used the recipe included on the back of the cake pan, with a few alterations.  I like that the cake itself is made with vegetable oil  I know some of my family members were hoping for cake for breakfast; sorry, it's all gone.

Recipes for Applesauce Pear Cake Draped in Caramel  

Cake Recipe and Instructions

1 fresh pear, peeled, chopped and mashed -- I used the equivalent with a canned pear.
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 chopped pecans
1 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3 cups all-purposed flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon rum extract

Note:  I didn't have any rum, so I made the cake more of a spice cake.  I added 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour pan.  I use Baker's Joy with detailed Nordic Ware pans and have no problem with the cake releasing from the pan.  In large bowl, combine all cake ingredients; blend two minutes on medium speed, scraping bowl often.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake about 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes in pan; invert onto cooling rack.



Caramel Sauce Recipe and Directions

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon rum extract (I omitted)

Combine all sauce ingredients in heavy saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking occasionally.  Cover and continue to boil for 1 minute.  Uncover and boil for 3 to 4 minutes without stirring.  Cool slightly before drizzling over warm cake.  Serve cake warm or cooled with seasonal fruit and whipped cream.  We served the cake cold but with the warm yummy, drippy caramel.  We didn't serve with fruit or whipped cream, but I am sure it would have been great with some sliced pears.  The basket cake pan I used was designed to hold fruit on the top.

Thank you for dropping by Red Couch Recipes today!  I know you will love this cake. 

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28 comments:

Gabe said...

anything "draped" in carmel has to be good!!

Looks so yummy!

Pondside said...

You had me at gooey! That sauce will definitely be on a cake here soon.

Lisa said...

Wow! This looks fabulous! That caramel topping makes it perfect!

Renée said...

I'm entertaining a vision of floating in a sailboat in the middle of your cake with a little spoon, Joni. I just looks heavenly! My family would like this too. Thanks for passing it along.

Anonymous said...

THAT is GORGEOUS!

anne

Lynn said...

Looks like it would be perfect with a good strong cup of coffee:@)

Jacqueline said...

That certainly is "draped" and I love that part about it the best. This looks so lucious. I could use a big piece with lots of caramel for breakfast right about now - I like my breakfast around 10:30 or 11:00. I bet the family loved this one. Do they appreciate you enough?!!!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I don't think I have ever seem a more tempting dessert! It is too pretty to cut!

Julie Harward said...

It looks like pure heaven food to me! Love the bars below too! :D

Anonymous said...

I love the caramel/pear combination. this almost looks too good to eat!

FROSTED! said...

This cake looks soooooooooo decadent. I'm passing this recipe on to my sister who can't resist anything caramel. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You had me at "draped in caramel"!

Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com said...

OMG, this looks FABULOUS! I am a caramel freak!

Rachel (Diary of a Recovering Chocoholic) said...

I love pears. This sounds delectable!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I am quickly copying and pasting! This sounds so delicious and looks caramel-dripping spectacular! I'd love to find one of those pans too ;)

Zoe said...

The dripping caramel makes the cake so wonderful!

Unknown said...

what a beautiful cake...the recipe looks yummy too--perfect for fall. yum!

Lilianna Grace said...

I have to agree with Happier Than a Pig In The Mud...I bet it would be great alone but with coffee I'm sold!

Cricket said...

I believe I have just died and gone to heaven. That cake looks amazing. Can'twait to try it!!

Unknown said...

good mercy! that looks wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your pictures look like they came straight out of a magazine. Yum.

Sue said...

Your lovely, rich cake looks like a pool of caramel, and I'm ready to dive in!

Jodi Nelson said...

Oh my.... this looks delicious!

Joseph's Grainery Recipes said...

I'm drooling!

Kelli
Joseph's Grainery

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

That looks incredible ... I fear I'd eat the whole thing.

Aiming4Simple said...

I think my mom made a spice cake like this, but without the caramel. Your version looks delish!

Holly Lefevre said...

How do you do this week after week...this cake looks beautiful and I can close my eyes and imagine the taste...heavenly.

Creative Cupcake Recipes said...

I love pears. This cake looks amazing.

Engageya