Erin Cross

I brought this gluten-free red pear and candied ginger cake to Thanksgiving dinner and it was a big hit.  I wanted to create a wow factor without the articifical glitz that holiday desserts can have when store bought.  Rustic, homemade cakes look sophisicated with fresh herbs, flowers and simple dishware.  Less can say more with winter treats.  The holidays have such a strong connection to hearth and home and this cake translates that for me.

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My husband and I were coming off of an elimination diet (eliminating refined flours and sugars) and I didn't want us to feel guilty about eating baked sweets.  I bought this gluten-free cake mix as a dessert 'alternative' to allow us to continue the diet as a lifestyle change and not just a fad diet.  Pears are my husband's favorite fruit and usually have a long season (mid-summer to winter) depending on the region.  He's also huge fan of ginger, so this recipe was created as a special treat for him.

This cake is quick and easy to make and present.  Follow the mix instructions, slice up a pears, cook, cool, frost and present.  That's it!  From prep to cooling it takes about an hour and a half total time.  I made the cake the night before and frosted it about 20 minutes before we left for the in-laws.  I happened to have sage on hand because I was using it for another recipe so I used that for garnish (I recommend keeping various herbs as a kitchen staple).

For your culinary adventures, you can use premade frosting or make your own.  The Betty Crocker 'Whipped Fluffy White Frosting' is also gluten free as a quick and easy frosting option.  For this recipe, I made my own frosting using 365 Organic Powdered Sugar (the ingredients are organic sugar and tapioca starch) and can be found at Whole Foods.

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The holidays have such a strong connection to hearth and home and this cake translates that for me.

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To make the cake:  Add in 1-2 Tablespoons of Minced Crystallized Ginger into cake mix and follow box instructions.  Place one sliced red pear on top of one batter filled cake pan.

 

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 Note: The cake with the pear slices will be the top of the cake. 

 

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Assembly: Mix 1-2 Tablespoons of Minced Crystallized Ginger into your favorite white frosting.

Sprinkle more ginger on top of frosting and place the pear cake on top of frosted cake.

 

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Presentation: Place a dollop of frosting in the center of cake and sprinkle with ginger pieces.  Garnish with fresh sage.  

 

For more of my recipes and food art inspiration, follow me on Instagram and Twitter @feastandflair and on my blog FeastandFlair.com.

 

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