Pear Chocolate Cake with Buttermilk Cream 01/08/2012
Should we just end with the title? Do I really need to say anything more about this cake? Okay...I guess I should say at least a few more words. Because I'm truly glad you've stopped in. This, my friends, is a moist, spicy-sweet cake with chunks of chocolate complimented by a heavy dollop of a slightly tangy buttermilk pasty cream. In its condensed description: delicious. This pear and chocolate cake is one of those desserts you should bake for company. Complex flavors and textures along with a beautiful presentation makes this recipe one of my go-to favorites when entertaining guests. You might even bring out your fancy plates to serve it. 
We ate this cake on New Years Eve with our dear friends, Abby and Tom, in Colorado. Abby and Tom have two beautiful kitties, Lunchbox and Suvie, and I felt it fitting we celebrate the New Year in the presence of felines. In our minds, 2011 will forever be remembered as the year of the cat. Although we went through an immense tragedy this Spring, we found (and still find) comfort in the small gifts of life. One week before my sister and nephew's funerals, a small gray cat curled around my legs at a park and purred her way into our lives. Maybe it was just a coincidence that she looked so similar to the cat Pam received for her 16th birthday...but on the nights I couldn't sleep and Cricket rested patiently on my lap, I knew otherwise. 
So as the first week of the New Year concludes, I'm thankful for many things. For cats. For friends. For fruit. For cakes. And for laughter amidst tears. Pear Chocolate Cake with Buttermilk Cream *Adapted from a Smitten Kitchen Recipe Cake: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 eggs, at room-temperature 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter 3/4 cup sugar 3 pears, peeled, in a small dice 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips Buttermilk Pastry Cream: 1/4 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup well-shaken buttermilk 2 large egg yolks 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract MAKE AHEAD: The buttermilk pastry cream needs to chill for at least one hour. This can be made up to one day ahead. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter 2 nine or eight-inch cake pans, line with a parchment round. Butter and flour top of parchment paper and sides. Set aside. 2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl, set aside. 3. Using a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs on high speed until pale and very thick. This takes about 9 minutes. 4. While the eggs are whipping, brown the butter. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and cook it until the butter browns and smells nutty (about 6 to 8 minutes). Frequently stir the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove browned spots. Remove from the flame but keep in a warm spot. 3. Add the sugar to the egg mixture and whip a few minutes more. 4. Just as the egg-sugar mixture begins to loose volume, turn the mixture down to stir, and add one third of the flour mixture, then half of the butter, a third of the flour, the remaining butter, and the rest of flour. Whisk until just barely combined — no more than a minute from when the flour is first added — and then use a spatula to gently fold the batter until the ingredients are combined. It is very important not to over-whisk or fold the batter or it will lose volume. 5. Pour into prepared pans. Sprinkle the pear and chocolate over the top, and bake until the cake is golden brown and springs back to the touch, about 40 minutes, or a tester comes out clean. 6. Allow to cool in pan for at least 15 minutes. WARNING: this cake is very delicate...remove directly to the plate you plan on serving it. To make the buttermilk pastry cream: 1. Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Whisk gently to break up any lumps, and set aside. Prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice and water; set aside. 2. Combine buttermilk and egg yolks in a small saucepan and whisk until smooth. Whisk in dry ingredients and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 4 minutes. 3. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla extract. Immediately cover cream with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Allow to cool for 1 hour in refrigerator before spreading between and on top of cooled pear chocolate layers. Always, Monet Anecdotes and Apple Cores P.S. I know I don't talk much about football...but my goodness, go Broncos! Comments01/09/2012 7:35am
The cake does look amazing, but it has that whole chocolate thing going on. With all these gorgeous desserts that include my nemesis ingredient, I think I'm going to have to learn to like it. Cats are the bomb. I sincerely believe that God put them on earth to comfort us. My Molly is curled up on my desk as I type and she's been a great source of comfort to me through some family losses this past year as well. Scratch Cricket's chin for me! 01/09/2012 8:04am
The year of the cat, interesting, but very fitting. Cute little kitten! Pets can be a wonderful comfort. 01/09/2012 1:28pm
Monet, the cake looks divine with pastry cream! You are such a talented baker! The kitten is so cute. (Lunchbox is a cute name for the cat) 01/09/2012 2:10pm
Lovely cake - with that pic and cake, no I guess you wouldn't need to say anything. But I'm glad you did. And this Colorado foodie also says, "Go, Broncos!" 01/09/2012 2:45pm
Yes, you can end with the title! This sounds so amazing! Yum :) 01/09/2012 5:09pm
Oh wow, Monet. That cake looks amazing. I don't even know what to say. I want it! 01/09/2012 8:43pm
Hi Monet ~ I'm glad you make it back from your trip safely. I can't figure out how you stay so slim while you're baking all these cakes, pies, tarts and cookies. This cake looks particularly delicious. That frosting...yum. Here's to the new year 2012! 01/09/2012 10:32pm
Yes, no coincidence that kitty came into your life at that time, indeed. And this is the perfect New Year's Eve cake to eat with friends. YUM! I had to jump over when you said you settled in your chair after supper with your tea to read. I can picture it... evening tea, morning coffee... that is Monet! 01/10/2012 1:52am
This cake definitely deserves fancy plates! May this spring bring you fill you with happiness. 01/10/2012 4:13am
lovely cake and how cute is the kitty! last year is a right off. let's look forward 01/10/2012 7:44am
Monet, that cake just sounds delightful! I never would have thought of combining chocolate and pears but I can see how they would go together well. I would think that the pears would help to make it really really moist. 01/10/2012 9:47am
Its a comforting thought to think of 2011 as the year of the cats. This is such a unique sounding cake. The frosting puts it on the next level. Beautiful! 01/10/2012 10:22am
Oh my goodness what a sweet kitty! Such a cute face! 01/10/2012 2:54pm
You are an inspiration to me, sweet girl. Your strength is admirable. I am so glad Cricket found her way to you. <3 I hope this new year brings you so much joy that you laugh out loud! Sharon B 01/10/2012 8:53pm
Wow, this looks good! The Year of the Cat!! 01/10/2012 9:26pm
LOL my husband is a die hard Bronco fan....and I love cheering his team on....unless they are playing my Steelers....sigh....it was a tense 4th qtr in our casa. But, props to Tebow & the Broncos for pulling it off...now that they took my boyz out, I hope they take it all the way. Since I have been dressing our babies in yellow n black all season, my husband officially issued a proclamation once the Broncos won...there shall be no Steelers apparel worn for the rest of the season...LOL....humble pie tastes terrrrrrible. But this cake however, looks marvelous. Seems simple enough, something I'd like to give a try next time we plan a dinner with friends...will keep you posted on the results :) have a glorious evening 01/10/2012 10:04pm
eeeeeee!! suvi's on there! i picked her up and showed her the computer. she made a little trilling noise. :) 01/10/2012 11:12pm
Lovely cake, Monet. Love the pear addition, and the frosting! Such a cute kitty! 01/11/2012 2:01pm
Sometimes its hard to find the positive amidst difficult times but I am glad you have managed too! 01/12/2012 6:12am
Pears and chocolate are such a great combination! This cake sounds wonderful! 01/12/2012 9:41am
Pear and chocolate, what a cool combination. I will definitely have to try this one. :) 01/29/2012 4:13am
What a gorgeous cake. Never had anything with buttermilk pastry cream before. Or maybe I have but don't know? Have to try Leave a Reply | 
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