Upside-down Pear Cake
‘I’m not usually one for desserts, or much into “tea and cake” but this upside-down number is the exception. The pear becomes soft and gooey and the cake is light and fluffy, with nutty tones throughout, thanks to the buckwheat flour. It is delicious served with a dollop of coconut yoghurt and a cup of tea or coffee.’
● 3 ripe pears (2 sliced into eighths, 1 diced)
● 240g buckwheat flour
● 120g coconut flour
● 2 tsp baking powder
● 165g brown sugar (coconut sugar will also work), plus a little extra for dusting
● 2 heaped tsp of either cinnamon or mixed spices (nutmeg, cloves and cardamom, for example), plus a little extra for dusting
● A pinch of salt
● 125g coconut oil
● Approximately 500ml unsweetened plant-based milk of your choice (I like to use coconut milk)
● 2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Preheat your oven to 200°C, 180°C fan, gas mark 6. Line a round cake tin (approximately 20cm) with coconut oil or greaseproof paper. Sprinkle a dash of cinnamon and brown sugar evenly over the base of the tin.
2 Place the slices from two of the pears around the bottom of the tin, arranging them neatly in a fan shape. You can overlap them. Put the tin to one side.
3 In a mixing bowl, combine the buckwheat flour, coconut flour and baking powder. Add the rest of the brown sugar, the cinnamon or mixed spices and salt, and mix well. Slowly pour in the coconut oil, plant-based milk and vanilla extract. Stir until you have a smooth batter, making sure not to over-beat. You want a ‘dropping consistency’, so if the batter is a little stiff, add a dribble more liquid.
4 Mix the diced pear into the batter and pour it into the lined tin, spreading it evenly. Remove any air pockets by carefully banging the tin a few times on a surface, then bake in the oven for about 50-55 minutes.
5 When done, the cake will be relatively spongy to touch and a lovely golden brown on top. Test the inside by using a sharp knife or skewer. It can be a little tricky if you hit a pear when testing, but you’ll be able to tell if the batter is done.
6 Set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes. Once cool enough, turn the tin upside down on a cooling rack. Carefully remove the tin and greaseproof paper, if used. To serve, dust with a little extra spice.