last updated on October 29, 2026
If you need a dessert other than cookies for the holidays, this cardamom cake with roasted pears is the perfect option. The cake is spiced with cinnamon and cardamom, then is topped with a smooth, sweetened mascarpone and roasted pears. And not only is it delicious, it is stunning!
ingredients needed
CAKE
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 cup butter softened and cubed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg at room temp
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt
TOPPINGS
- 2 cups mascarpone
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
POACHED PEARS
- 4 pears
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
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cardamom cake with poached pears
[PREP] 30 minutes
[COOK] 30 minutes
[TOTAL] 1 hour
Ingredients
cardamom cake
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 cup butter softened and cubed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg at room temp
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt
topping**
- 2 cups mascarpone
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp sugar
roasted pears
- 4 pears
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease and line a 8 or 9 inch cake pan, set aside.
- Peel and core the pears. Combine the water, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a baking sheet. Add the pears to the liquid and turn so its all coated. Place them cut side down. Transfer to the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes.
- Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and cardamom to a bowl. Stir to mix.
- Add cubed butter, vanilla extract, and milk. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, mix for 1-2 minutes until combined.
- Add the egg and greek yogurt. Mix until just combined.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and then to the oven to cook alongside the pears. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let it cook for 5 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the topping. Add the mascarpone, milk, and sugar to a bowl. Mix until smooth and spreadable. When the cake has cooled, add the mascarpone and roasted pears. Enjoy!
What’d you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts or if you have any questions!