Vegan Pear Cake Recipe

Autumn is harvest time for pears and apples in the northern hemisphere. The first pear dessertrecipe that comes to mind is pear poached in wine, but pears can be used instead of apples in avariety of dessert recipes including crisps, pies, tarts and cakes.

The most common types of pears found in US supermarkets are Bosc, Asian, D'Anjou, Comice andthe very popular Bartlett pear. According the USDA, of the 1,836 million pounds of pears to beharvested in 2009, 896 million pounds will be Bartlett. Compare this to the predicted 10,113 millionpounds of apples to be harvested in 2009 and its no wonder that more desserts feature the favouritefruit of Johnny "Appleseed" Chapman.

Take a break from apples and choose a selection of light yellow and firm Bartlett pears for a never-fail vegan dessert with this vegan pear cake recipe.

Breakfast Recipes

Dessert Recipes

Vegan Pear Cake Recipe

Makes 12 generous servings

Ingredients2-3 cups water3/4 cup canola or sunflower oil2 tablespoons white vinegar1 tablespoonvanilla3-1/2 cups sifted unbleached white flour1 cup vegan sugar1 teaspoon salt2 teaspoons bakingsoda6 medium-sized pears, chopped and cored1 1/2 cups chopped peanuts (optional, butdelicious)DirectionsPreheat oven to 350F, place one of the racks on the middle rung in theoven.Chop pears into bite-sized pieces, set asideCombine wet ingredients in a large bowl; 2 cups ofwater, oil, vinegar, vanillaIn a separate bowl, sift flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.Add the wetingredients to the dry ingredients and mix by hand only until combined, lumps are OK.Coat bakingdish with vegetable spray.Mix in chopped pears and peanuts, only until coated, adding an additionalcup of water if needed to get the batter to coat the pears.Pour batter into a 9x13inch glass bakingdish and place cake on oven rack in the centre of the oven.Bake about 40 minutes, or until top isgolden brown. To check doneness, take the cake out of the oven, insert a wooden toothpick into thecentre of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is finished. If the toothpick comes outwith batter clinging to it, the cake needs more time in the oven.Let cake cool for 10 minutes beforeslicing into it and serving.