Ginger-Pear Upside Down Cake

Written By Alison Mahan

This delicious recipe came together when a neighbor created a special treat for a community gathering.

A tender ginger almond cake topped with pears in a maple ginger glaze, made with Midtown Mix Almond Cake Mix. Be sure to check out other delicious treats you can make with this mix.

Yield: One 8–9" cake
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Bake time: 40–45 minutes

Supplies & Equipment:

  • Sauté pan

  • 8 or 9” cake pan (place a baking sheet underneath if using a springform)

  • Parchment paper (not wax)

  • Mixing bowl

  • Whisk

Ingredients:

Topping

  • 3 tablespoons butter (or coconut oil for vegan alternative)

  • 3/4 cup maple syrup

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1/2" fresh ginger, sliced)

  • 1 to 2 fresh pears

Cake

  • 1/2 cup butter (or olive oil for vegan alternative)

  • 3 eggs (or preferred egg replacer)

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger

  • 1 (16 oz) Midtown Mix Almond Cake Mix

Preparation:

Step 1 — Prep Oven and Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the pan with parchment and grease the sides with oil or butter.

Step 2 — Slice the Pears
Slice pears and remove stems and seeds. Peeling is optional, pears will be perfectly soft without peeling. Set aside.

Step 3 — Make the Glaze
Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add maple syrup, brown sugar, and ginger. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then boil for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened. If using sliced ginger, remove the pieces before pouring.

Step 4 — Assemble the Topping
Pour the warm glaze into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Arrange the pears on top of glaze while the mixture is still warm.

Step 5 — Mix the Batter
Melt butter in the microwave in 10-15 second intervals. Add eggs and vanilla extract and whisk together. Sprinkle in ground ginger, then the cake mix, and whisk until combined.

Step 6 — Add the Batter
Pour the batter over the pears in the pan.

Step 7 — Bake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the center is set and the cake pulls away from the sides.

Step 8 — Cool and Invert
Cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, then invert onto a serving dish.

Tips & Serving Ideas:

  • Don’t stress about perfect pear placement—they will taste great regardless

  • Increase the ginger by 50% for a stronger flavor

  • If transporting, keep in the pan and invert just before serving

Alison Mahan
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