Birthday Cake Club: Pear Cardamom Cake

Cue the cozy vibes with this pear and brown butter spice cake.

Hi Bakers!

With Christmas decorations sneaking their way onto the scene and a surprise snowfall just yesterday, it is like we skipped fall altogether up here in the Pacific Northwest. I went from slathering on sunscreen during my son’s soccer game to pulling out my thickest parka just weeks apart. But I confess, I kind of love it. 

While the walks around the neighborhood are more enjoyable in the sun than rain, the cold is perfect for cozy baking. Cue the fireplace, knit socks, and vibey playlist.

This Pear Cardamom Cake has hints of spice and nutty brown butter that make staying in and celebrating November birthdays as equally festive and fun as a Berry Rose Chantilly Cake on a summer day. 

My dad celebrates his birthday this month. He’s always loved pears and inspired me to make this cake. It’s got hints of fall with lightly spiced, zesty cardamom flavors.

The cake layers are moist and tender from the addition of sour cream. Brown butter lends warmth and nuttiness that balances perfectly with cardamom. 

There’s a tendency to use brown sugar when stewing fruit (hello brown sugar and sautéed apples!), but I opted for regular granulated sugar with a squeeze of lemon that brings out the fruitiness of the cardamom and really makes the pear filling shine. 

Swapping a portion of the butter in my favorite Swiss meringue buttercream with brown butter gives it a tremendous amount of extra flavor. Add real vanilla bean seeds or some vanilla bean paste if you have some. 

Birthday Cake Club recipes are exclusively for paid subscribers, upgrade from free or sign up for a free 7 day trial to get the entire archive today!