Caramelized Chai Pear Cake is a delightful dessert that combines the cozy flavors of chai spices with sweet, caramelized pears. This cake is not only delicious but also perfect for any occasion. It’s great for family gatherings, birthdays, or simply a warm treat on a chilly evening. The blend of spices and the softness of the cake make it a delightful experience for your taste buds. Imagine biting into a soft, moist slice of cake filled with tender pears and rich buttercream. It’s a treat that brings joy and comfort.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

You will love this Caramelized Chai Pear Cake for many reasons. First, it has a wonderful blend of spices that create warmth and depth in every bite. The chai spices add a unique flavor that is hard to resist. Second, the caramelized pears bring sweetness and a tender texture, making each slice a real delight. Third, this cake is visually stunning with its layered structure and creamy buttercream.

If you’re searching for a dessert that stands out at celebrations or simply want something comforting, this cake is for you. Additionally, it can easily be modified to fit different dietary needs, such as making it lower in sugar. No matter the time of year, this cake will always be a hit.

HOW TO MAKE Caramelized Chai Pear Cake

Ingredients

2 Recipe Fluffy Vanilla Cake
1 Recipe Low Sugar Buttercream
1 Jar Sildas Jam (I used Blaspberry)

2 Tbs Cinnamon
2 tsp Cardamom
¼ tsp Nutmeg

3 tsp Ginger
¼ tsp Cloves
¼ tsp Allspice

4 Medium Bartlett Pears
4 Tbs Vegan Butter (56g)
2 Tbs Sugar (see notes for sugar free) (28g)

3 tsp Chai Spice
2 Tbs Brandy (optional) (30ml)
1¼ cup Plant Milk (296ml)

⅓ cup Sugar (see notes for sugar free) (70g)
2 Tbs Cornstarch (16g)
¼ tsp Turmeric (optional for color)

1 Tbs Vegan Butter (14g)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract (5ml)

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First, mix your chai spices together and set them aside. This includes cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice.

Next, make the vanilla cake using the recipe found in that post and video tutorial. Be sure to add 2 tablespoons of the chai spices to the dry ingredients.
Divide the batter between three 8-inch greased and parchment-lined cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs, not raw batter.
Now, make the caramelized pear compote. Start by peeling, coring, and chopping your pears into small, pea-sized cubes (you should have about 2 to 2½ cups).

Heat a large skillet with the vegan butter until melted and sizzling. Add the pears and stir to coat them. Next, add the sugar of your choice and stir well, then add 1 tablespoon of the chai spices. Cook until the pears are tender. If you’re using brandy, add it now to deglaze the pan, then transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool.
Prepare the custard by combining all the ingredients, except the vanilla extract and vegan butter, in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium to high heat. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly to avoid scorching the bottom.
Once it begins to bubble, let it boil on low heat for about 10 seconds. Remove from heat and add the vegan butter and vanilla extract. Stir until melted and smooth.

Now, make the lower sugar buttercream according to the instructions on that page, but instead of using apples, use pears. Add the remaining chai spices to the buttercream mixture at the last stage of mixing.
Allow the cakes to cool completely. You may choose to refrigerate or freeze them for several hours to ensure they are very cold.
Build the cake by using a ring of buttercream to hold in the jam layer. Layer on half of the pear compote and half of the custard filling on top of that.

Repeat with the next layer of cake, then do a crumb coating and refrigerate to set for at least 30 minutes.
Ice the cake with the remaining buttercream and decorate with dehydrated pears, if desired.

HOW TO SERVE Caramelized Chai Pear Cake

You can serve this cake in slices at room temperature, or slightly chilled for a refreshing treat. It’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. The flavors pair wonderfully with warm beverages. You can also enjoy it as a dessert after dinner or as a sweet afternoon snack.

STORAGE & FREEZING : Caramelized Chai Pear Cake

For storage, keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you’d like to freeze the cake, slice it and place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve after freezing, let the cake thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

You can enhance the flavor of the cake by serving it with a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a drizzle of maple syrup. For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle some extra chai spices on top. Fresh fruits or a scoop of vanilla ice cream also make great accompaniments.

VARIATIONS

If you want to switch things up, consider these variations:

Use different fruits like apples, peaches, or plums in place of pears.
Experiment with different types of spices like star anise or fennel for new flavors.
Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond or coconut flour.

FAQs

Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour to make this cake gluten-free.
Is the brandy necessary?
No, the brandy is optional. It enhances the flavor but can be omitted if preferred.
How can I reduce the sugar content even more?
You can use a sugar substitute or reduce the amount of sugar added to the pears and buttercream according to your dietary preferences.

Can I make the cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components in advance and assemble the cake when ready to serve.

MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Caramelized Chai Pear Cake

To make things easier, you can prepare the caramelized pear compote, custard, and even the cake layers a day in advance. Keep them stored separately in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble. This helps to cut down on prep time and allows the flavors to develop even more.

Caramelized Chai Pear Cake

Print Recipe

A delightful dessert combining chai spices and caramelized pears, perfect for any occasion.

Author: alexandra-roa
Prep Time: 60 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 90 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert

Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Mix chai spices (cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice) and set aside.

Make the vanilla cake and add 2 tablespoons of chai spices to dry ingredients.
Divide batter between three greased and lined 8-inch cake pans. Bake for about 30 minutes.
Prepare pear compote: Peel, core, and chop pears, then sauté with vegan butter and sugar until tender. Add brandy if using.

For custard, combine all ingredients except vanilla extract and vegan butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
Once bubbling, boil on low for 10 seconds, then remove from heat and mix in butter and vanilla.
Make low sugar buttercream using pears instead of apples, adding remaining chai spices.

Cool cakes completely and layer with buttercream, pear compote, and custard. Refrigerate to set.
Ice cake with remaining buttercream, decorate as desired.

Notes

Optional to reduce sugar content using alternatives. Can be stored in the fridge up to 5 days or frozen for 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 400
Sugar: 15g

Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g

Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g

Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cake, dessert, chai, pears, caramelized, vegan, vegetarian