Recipe: Pear and Marzipan Cake

This pear and marzipan cake brings together soft orchard fruit rich almonds and pockets of marzipan that melt into a caramelised sweetness in the oven. It is a comforting bake for the colder months with a tender crumb and a gently spiced character from the almonds. Lovely with an afternoon cup of tea or warmed with custard.

Ingredients

For the cake

• 120g butter

• 60g caster sugar

• 60g soft brown sugar

• 50g ground almonds

• 1 tsp almond extract

• 2 tbsp milk

• 70g self raising flour

• 2 eggs

• 80g marzipan chopped

• 80g pear chopped

For the topping

• 30g marzipan grated

• One pear thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp flaked almonds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan. Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the almond extract and the milk then add the eggs one at a time alternating with the flour. Fold in the ground almonds the chopped pear and the chopped marzipan.

2. Spoon the mixture into a greased and lined 20 cm tin. Arrange the sliced pear on top and scatter with the grated marzipan and the flaked almonds. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until cooked through. Cool in the tin for a short while then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

A Seasonal Note

This cake belongs to Yule the Celtic season of deep Winter when warmth and richness are especially welcome in the kitchen. Pear adds softness and gentle sweetness while marzipan brings comfort and a festive note. It is a cosy nourishing bake that mirrors the stillness light and quiet indulgence of the season.