I know this is the season of fall flavors.  Often pumpkin and apple seem to get the top billing, but fresh pears are also in season and bursting with flavor.  This Spiced Pear Bundt Cake is moist and so delicious- the Caramel Vanilla Frosting perfectly completes it.  In fact, if you can wait to eat it, make it a day before you want to serve it – the pears make it even better on day two!

Bundt cakes are one of my favorites to give as gifts or to take to a friend.  Check out our favorite way to get 2 for 1 – one to give and one to keep for yourself! {You’ll also find some cute printable tags for gifting.}

Spiced-Pear Bundt Cake with Caramel Vanilla Frosting

Ingredients

3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups canola oil
1 1/2 cups peeled, cored and grated pear (3-4 pears)
1 1/2 cups peeled and cored pears, diced (3-4 pears)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon orange zest

Caramel Vanilla Frosting
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat oven to 325F.  Spray a Bundt pan with a nonstick baking spray with flour.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, soda, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and salt.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients; add eggs, stirring to combine.  Gradually stir in canola oil.  Fold in pear, vanilla, and orange zest; continue stirring until well combined.  Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake approximately 1 hour – 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean (don’t overbake).  Let cake cool on wire rack for 15-20 minutes.  Invert cake onto wire rack and cool completely.

For the Caramel Vanilla Frosting:  In a small saucepan, bring brown sugar, cream, butter, and vanilla to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cook, whisking constantly for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and let cool completely.  Gradually whisk in powdered sugar.   Drizzle frosting over cooled cake.  Slice and serve.

recipe adapted from Taste of the South, October 2013