Spiced Pear Cake with Browned Butter Icing

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving!  I love that this day is about taking a little time to be thankful for the good things in life - family, friends, health and the chance to be together.  And today's Adventures In Baking recipe is a great one to share with the special people in your life.  I used the recipe from Recipe Girl that can be found here.  Instead of making two loaves of bread, I baked one loaf and 12 mini bundt cakes.  Aren't they adorable?

The ingredients.  Quite a few components.  All purpose and whole wheat flour to make them a little bit healthier.  Pears, applesauce and milk.

 

Let's get started.  In a medium bowl, toss the pears with the white and brown sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Set aside.  (Note** Lots of bowls used with this recipe)

 

 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

 

 

 Next step.  In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, milk, oil and applesauce.  Whisk in the dry ingredients until they are just combined - don't over mix.

Stir in the pears and all their juice. 

Divide the batter between you pans.  I baked the mini bundts 20 minutes and the loaf 60 minutes.

Final step.  Let the cakes cool for 15 minutes and then turn them out onto a rack to cool.

And the icing,  Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Heat and stir for 5-7 minutes until the butter is lightly browned.  Remove it from the heat and pour it in a bowl.  Whisk in 1 cup of powdered sugar.  Add 3 teaspoons of water and the vanilla.  Whisk in more powdered sugar a little at a time until it's thick but pourable.  Drizzle icing onto the cakes.

 

Taste test.  Oh so good.  The applesauce and pears keep it moist and the icing adds just the right amount of sweetness.  Ummmmm.... had to taste another one!  Yes, still super good.  This may be one of my favorite things I've made lately.  I wrapped the loaf and placed it in the freezer for later but shared the little bundts with the co-workers.  Everyone said they were really good so try them out for yourself!

 

Have a safe a happy holiday!

-Teddra