This Gluten-Free Pear and Raspberry cake is a must-try for those who want to enjoy an easy, delicious, gluten-free cake.
Putting it simply, this is a terrific cake. Sweet, juicy pears and tangy raspberries add flavour and texture to a moist, almond cake batter.
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Inspiration for this recipe:
I received this recipe from my friend Heather, following a lunch in her beautiful Adelaide Hills garden. The cake was made by Lesley, another guest at the luncheon. I shall be eternally grateful for this delicious cake recipe.
There are classic flavour combinations in this cake. Pears and almonds are natural companions; their flavours combine beautifully.
In addition, raspberries frequently accompany pears. The bright, tangy flavour of raspberries perfectly complements the mellow sweetness of the pears.
Gluten-free baking faces several challenges. There is a tendency for some cakes to be flavourless, crumbly and dry.
However, the best advice that I have is to use a reliable recipe and this one admirably fits that description.
This is a versatile cake. It is an ideal companion to a cup of tea or coffee.
Alternatively, it is easy to dress up the cake too. With the addition of some whipped cream, a few fresh raspberries and a dusting of icing/confectioners’ sugar it becomes a delicious dessert.
Why we love this recipe:
I am very fond of gluten-free cakes which are made with the addition of fresh fruit. The fruit provides moisture, helping to eliminate the risk of a dry cake.
In addition, such cakes are extremely versatile. They are perfect to serve for morning or afternoon tea.
Further, with the addition of fruit they lend themselves beautifully to being served as a dessert.
This beautiful cake will brighten your senses. Nothing quite beats the aroma of a cake baking. There is a sense of pleasurable anticipation and the feeling of comfort and warmth in your home.
Whilst I can’t guarantee that cake makes everything better, there are occasions when it does help a little. Therefore, I encourage you, do yourself a favour and treat yourself.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Butter:
One of the most important roles that butter plays in baking is the flavour that it adds. In addition, it helps to give the cake a more tender texture.
Superfine/Caster Sugar:
I have used superfine/caster sugar. As the name suggests, it is finer in texture than regular granulated sugar and it, therefore, dissolves more readily.
If you don’t have superfine/caster sugar, did you know that you can make your own? Just briefly whiz some granulated sugar in a food processor or blender until the grains are reduced in size.
The grains, however, will not be as evenly sized as the commercial variety but are still a suitable substitute. However, if you blend for too long, you will make icing/confectioners’ sugar.
As a bonus, there is a greater economy in making your own superfine sugar.
Eggs:
Eggs have an important role in baking. They provide structure, flavour and improved texture by adding moisture.
Vanilla Extract/Essence:
The above terms, extract and essence, have different meanings in different countries. Therefore, I recommend that you check the label before purchasing the product to ensure that it has not been synthetically produced. The essence/extract which is made from vanilla beans has vastly superior flavour.
Gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour:
There are many excellent commercial varieties of gluten-free flour mixes available nowadays. I have made this recipe using several different brands, and have always had success.
Baking Powder:
We use baking powder in this recipe to ensure a light texture to the cake, and allow it to rise beautifully. If necessary, ensure that your baking powder is gluten-free.
Almond meal:
The terms almond meal and almond flour are often used interchangeably. However, there are slight differences between countries.
One may be made from blanched almonds and one from the whole almond. They are both finely ground, the main difference will be that the almond meal made from the whole almond will have some colour from the almond skin.
Pears:
Use the variety of pear of your choice to make this easy, delicious cake. I like to use the Packham pear or the Beurre Bosc.
Raspberries:
Fresh or frozen raspberries are suitable for this recipe. If using frozen, do not allow to defrost first.
Flaked Almonds:
Flaked almonds are readily available in the supermarket. I store mine in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Icing/Confectioners’ Sugar:
I generally use pure icing/confectioners’ sugar. However, if using icing sugar mixture ensure that it is gluten-free. Wheaten flour is sometimes added to the mixture.
Why I love Almond Meal in this Cake:
Almond meal/flour is a great addition to many gluten-free baked goods. The finely ground almonds add moisture, texture, structure and flavour.
One of the advantages of using almond meal is that it helps to replace some of the protein which is missing in gluten-free flours. Gluten is a protein which helps retain moisture and provides lightness, strength and structure to baked goods. Therefore, with gluten-free baking, it is necessary to find alternatives.
Almond meal also has nutritional benefit. It is lower in carbohydrate than flour, contains protein, dietary fibre, manganese and vitamin E.
Almond meal/flour is readily available in supermarkets. However, you can also make your own. Whiz some almonds in a food processor or blender until finely ground. Do not over-process or you will have almond butter.
It should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer as, once the almonds are ground, the meal/flour is prone to rancidity.
Step by step instructions:
To begin, I make sure that I have my butter and eggs at room temperature. This is essential to properly amalgamate the ingredients.
Next, I preheat the oven and line the base and sides of a 22cm/8 ½” springform tin with non-stick baking paper.
Sift the flour and baking powder, and set aside for now.
Using a stand-mixer or hand-held electric mixer I cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture is thick and creamy coloured. I add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to properly incorporate them, then add the vanilla with the last egg.
Next, I add the flour, baking powder and almond meal and gently combine the ingredients.
Finally, I fold in the cubed pears and raspberries. I add the mixture to the prepared tin, sprinkle on a few more raspberries, and bake for 40-50 minutes.
At this point, a great deal of patience is required as the cake cools.
Tips for Success:
The technique that we use in this recipe to combine the butter and sugar is known as “creaming”. It means mixing the butter and sugar together until they are well combined and the sugar dissolves. The mixture becomes pale yellow and the texture is light and creamy.
To successfully cream the butter and sugar together, the butter must be at moderate room temperature. If the room is hot, the butter will begin to melt and the two will not successfully combine. This will result in a heavy, dense cake.
Likewise, if the butter is too cold it will be difficult to combine.
In addition, the creaming together of the butter and sugar aerates the mixture, helping to produce a lighter, tender cake.
To properly amalgamate the eggs into the butter and sugar, they should be at room temperature.
If you forget to get the eggs out in advance, place the eggs in a small bowl and cover with warm tap water. Leave for about 5 minutes. Do not use boiling water or you may find the eggs are partially cooked.
Ensure that the pears you use are just ripe. If they are very ripe, they will release too much moisture into the cake.
When using frozen raspberries do not defrost them prior to adding them to the cake batter.
More suggestions for these ingredients:
We adore raspberries in these recipes:
More Delicious Gluten-Free Cake recipes for you to try:
- Blueberry Cake
- Almond Cake
- Carrot Cake
- Four Ingredient Fruit Cake
- Belgian Lemon Tea Cake
- Chocolate Sour Cream Cake
Try this delightfully moist and tender Gluten-Free Pear and Raspberry Cake. I like to serve this cake with some rich, thick cream and a few fresh raspberries on the side. As a final flourish, I like to add a dusting of icing/confectioners’ sugar.
Make this cake for your family or serve at parties or barbecues. I guarantee that it will quickly disappear. You will most likely be asked for the recipe – it is that good.
Please let me know in the comments below if you make this cake.
Alex xx
Gluten-Free Pear and Raspberry Cake
Recipe Measurements:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.
Ingredients
- 150 g (½ cup + 5 tsp) unsalted butter – at room temperature
- 160 g (⅔ cup) superfine/caster sugar
- 3 large eggs – at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 75 g (½ cup) gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 125 g (1 ¼ cup) almond flour
- 2 medium-sized pears peeled, cored and chopped. See Note 1.
- 125 g (4.4 oz) raspberries fresh or frozen, divided. See Note 2.
- ¼ cup flaked almonds
- icing/confectioners' sugar for dusting
- to serve: whipped cream and fresh raspberries optional
Instructions
- Grease and line the base and sides of a 22cm spring-form tin.Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F.
- Add butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Beat the butter and sugar until it is thick and pale.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla with the last egg. The mixture may appear to separate but it will come together with the addition of the flour and almond meal.
- Sift the flour and baking powder together.
- With the mixer on the lowest speed, gently add the flour, baking powder and almond meal.
- Remove the bowl and, using a rubber spatula or large metal spoon, gently fold in the pear and most of the berries.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared cake tin.
- Place the remaining berries randomly on the top of the cake batter and sprinkle with the flaked almonds.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the sides of the cake tin and finish cooling on a wire rack.When the cake is completely cool, carefully remove the base of the tin and the baking paper and transfer to a serving platter.
- Dust with icing sugar.Serve with lightly whipped cream and berries – optional.
Video
Notes
- The pears need to be just ripe. If they are very ripe they will release a lot of moisture into the cake.
- Save a few raspberries for the top of the cake batter.
Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional Disclaimer:
The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Charlotte
Hi Alex! I brought this pear and raspberry cake to a Christmas potluck and it was one of the most popular desserts! Everyone loved the flavors and texture of the cake. I’ve had two people ask for the recipe so I pointed them to your site. Thank you for this great recipe! I can’t wait to try more. 🙂
Alexandra
Hi Charlotte, thank you for your lovely comments on the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. I am delighted to hear that your friends enjoyed it and appreciate that you for recommended our site. 🙂
G Gordon
Can you convert grams please?
Alexandra Cook
Hello,
We have added cup measurements in where possible, however, recommend a kitchen scale for the greatest accuracy in baking.
Thanks, Alex
Diane Rowe
Hi Alex,
I have made this cake so many times it is always appreciated,
the other great thing is it freezes so well if time is limited
thank you for sharing
Diane
Alexandra
Hi Diane, thank you for your lovely feedback on the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. I am delighted that you enjoy it and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂
Diane
I want to make this delicious looking cake, need to know if xanthan gum should be included in the all purpose flour blend?
Alexandra
Hi Diane,
We use a flour blend that already contains xanthan gum. If yours doesn’t, you can add a tiny amount of xanthan gum –
Usually, it is 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour. This is about 1/4 cup of flour, so it will be a very small amount – a pinch, practically 🙂
Hope that helps! Thanks, Alex
Chris
Really liked
Raspberry and almond flavoring a treat
We’ve come to the end of our pear harvest, and this has been my preferred bake
Now to try out with the frozen pears
Thank you for this recipe
Alexandra
Hi Chris, thank you for your lovely comments on the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. I am delighted to hear that you have been enjoying it with your own harvested pears, and I appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂
Cassie
This recipe sounds wonderful. I was wondering if I could use erytherol and dairy free butter as a replacement? I cannot have gluten dairy or sugar
Alexandra
Hi Cassie, you could use a dairy-free spread, but we have never tried making this cake with erythritol or another sugar substitute. If you do try, I would be interested to hear how it works. 🙂
Tessa
I’ve made this several times, it’s our house’s favourite and most requested cake! Works well with regular flour.
Alexandra
Hi Tessa, thank you for your lovely feedback on the Pear and Raspberry cake. I am so pleased to hear that it is popular in your home and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. 🙂
Jo Gillin
Hi was wondering if I could make this cake without the gift flour and just use
extra almond or coconut flour. Thankyou Jo
Alexandra
Hi Jo,
Readers have tried that in the past with success, using all almond flour.
I personally find it to be a little dense – the flour does help to make it a little lighter. We are working on an almond flour based cake at the moment, but still perfecting the ideal texture.
If you do try it, I’d love to know what you think!
Kind regards, Akex
Arik
Turned out great for me. My pears were small & I may have put extra pear in but it turned out just fine.
Alexandra
Hello Arik, thank you so much for your feedback on the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it and appreciate that you let me know. 🙂
Jennifer Jones
This sounds amazing. Can I ask if 180degrees is for a fan oven – or do I need to bake at 160 in a fan oven? Thankyou.
Alexandra
Hi Jennifer,
We use a fan oven – 180 degrees fan-forced is correct for this recipe. I hope you will enjoy the cake 🙂
Kind regards, Alex
Victoria
My 1st ever attempt at GF baking. I didn’t have GF flour so nervously used rice flour. I worried needlessly; this cake was fluffy, light and delicious. Not too sweet. Fabulous recipe, thank you.
Alexandra
Hi Victoria, thank you so much for your feedback on the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it and that rice flour worked in this recipe. We have quite a few gluten-free recipes. Just click on this link below to see some more. Kind regards, Alex 🙂
Dee
Hi Alexandra,
Love the combination of fruit & almond meal. I’ve made it & was a hit with family & friends.
Is it possible to substitute the butter with apple sauce?
Thank you. Dee
Alexandra
Hello Dee, I am so pleased to hear that you, your family and your friends have enjoyed the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. I haven’t tried using apple sauce instead of butter so couldn’t say with any certainty that it would work. If you do try it yourself, I would be very interested to hear how you get on. With kind regards, Alex 🙂
n j mitchell
I have made this twice for my gluten intolerant friend. I used home grown pears and rasps and it was just delicious. There was not a crumb left! A delicious cake and I’ll def make again
Alexandra
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback on the GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. How lovely that you had homegrown pears and raspberries – delicious! I do appreciate that you took the time to contact me. 🙂
Janelle
This cake was delicious. I made it for an afternoon tea. It looked fabulous and tasted even better. It was a big hit with everyone 🥰
Alexandra
Hello Janelle, I am so pleased that you enjoyed our GF Pear and Raspberry Cake. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
Beverley Sheen
Can I use gf self raising floor instead if plain flour and baking powder
Alexandra
Hi Beverley,
Baking powder is still required for the almond meal element of the cake. We haven’t tried SR flour as a result. Kind regards, Alex
Karen
I have done that and it was still really good.. I did add an extra tsp of baking powder
Ruth
I love the sound of your almond and raspberry cake. I want to make it for an afternoon tea, but I have 5 friends who are lactose intolerant! I noticed there is a nuttalex buttery on the market. Do you think this would work?
Alexandra
Hello Ruth!
I haven’t personally tried it, but have had several readers use nuttalex with great success. I hope you’ll enjoy the cake very much! Kind regards, Alex
Vivian
can i use regular wheat flour
Alexandra
Hi Vivian,
You can, but I still recommend using the almond meal/flour for the best texture.
Thanks, Alex
Marixa
Can I use canned pears for this recipe?
Alexandra
Hi Marixa,
I haven’t tried that, but it should work fine. Just make sure to drain them well, and pat them dry as the excess moisture could alter the texture of the cake.
Thanks! Alex
Eileen
This was a total hit! I brought this to a friend’s house because their daughter is sensitive to gluten and everyone loved it! To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect since this was my first time baking a gluten free cake but it turned out amazing. I had no idea how light and fluffy it could be. It was really delicious. Thank you so much!
Alexandra
Hello Eileen, thank you so much for your fantastic feedback regarding our Gluten-free Pear and Raspberry Cake. I do appreciate you taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Sandra
This was the perfect way to use up my almond meal! I had a bag leftover from making macarons and didn’t know what to do with it. I had no idea you can make cake from it! Okay I’m going to get another bag because this was too good to make just once.
Alexandra
Hi Sandra, I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Gluten-free Pear and Raspberry Cake and plan to make it again. Thank you, that is great news. 🙂
Martha
I used apricots and raspberries since that’s all I had and it was amazing! Seriously this is so good, my family loved it! I’m doubling the batch next time so it lasts a bit longer. 😉
Alexandra
Hi Martha, what a great idea to use apricots and raspberries; that sounds like a great combination. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it. 🙂