How To Make Almond Pear Upside Down Cake

Ingredients

1/2 c. (1 stick) Land O Lakes® Unsalted Butter, plus more for greasing the pan

1/3 c. turbinado sugar

1 pears, sliced 1/4" thick, unpeeled 

2/3 c. granulated sugar

1/3 c. light brown sugar

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. almond flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. ground cardamom

1/2 c. buttermilk

1 c. powdered sugar

1 vanilla bean pod (reserved from above)

Whipped cream, for serving

Preparation

Step 1Preheat the oven to 350°. Generously grease a 9" round springform cake pan with Land O Lakes® Unsalted Butter. Line the bottom with a 9" parchment round and grease the top of the paper. Sprinkle turbinado sugar all over the bottom and sides of the pan. Arrange the pear slices decoratively in an even layer on the bottom of the pan.Step 2Make the cake: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and the vanilla bean seeds. Rub them together with your fingers until the vanilla has infused into the sugar.Step 3Add the stick of Land O Lakes® Unsalted Butter to the bowl and using the paddle attachment, mix until light and fluffy, about 5 minute.Step 4Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping between each addition. Add the almond extract and mix well.Step 5In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom.Step 6Add the dry ingredients to the bowl alternately with the buttermilk, scraping the bowl as needed. Mix just until combined.Step 7Spread the batter evenly on top of the pears in the prepared cake pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.Step 8Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out, upside down onto a cooling rack. Peel away the parchment paper and let cool.Step 9Make the vanilla sugar: Add the powdered sugar to a small food processor with the reserved vanilla bean pod and process until it has been broken down into a fine powder.Step 10Serve the cooled cake dusted with vanilla sugar.