Toasted Gingerbread With Grilled Pears And Caramel Food

GINGERBREAD PEAR CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix the melted butter, corn syrup, and brown sugar in a 9-inch round cake pan.
• Slice pear halves in half lengthwise. Place a pecan in the center of each pear quarter. Place pears cut side down in the cake pan, arranging them like spokes radiating from the center of the pan. Sprinkle any remaining pecans around the pears.
• Prepare the cake mix according to package directions, and pour over the pears and pecans in the cake pan.
• Bake 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly before turning out onto a serving dish.

CARAMEL FOR A GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Steps:

• Spread the sugar in a medium skillet. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Set the skillet over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts, about 2 to 3 minutes. Once the sugar has melted, stop stirring and cook, swirling the contents occasionally, until the sugar syrup is a deep amber color, about 12 to 15 minutes.

GINGERBREAD CAKE WITH CARAMELIZED PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*F.
• Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan.
• Combine the flour, soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves and salt in a bowl and mix well.
• Combine the pear puree and buttermilk in a bowl and mix well.
• Beat the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy, scraping the bowl occasionally.
• Add the molasses and beat until blended.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; the batter will appear curdled.
• Add the flour alternately with the pear mixture, beating well after each addition and scraping the sides of the bowl frequently to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or untila wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake begins to pull away from the side of the pan.
• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
• Remove to a wire rack.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Beat the whipping cream, sugar, vanilla and 1/2 tsp cinnamon in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form.
• Slice the cake and arranges on individual dessert plates, topped with the whipped cream and caramelized pears.
• For the pears: Heat the butter in a large heavy skillet until sizzling.
• Add the pears and toss to coat.
• Sprinkle with the sugar and stir.
• Cook for 10 minutes until the pears are caramelized and tender, stirring gently.
• Remove and let stand until room temperature.

SALTED CARAMEL PEAR CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 195C/175C fan/gas 5 ½. Butter and line the base of three 20cm round cake tins. Add the grated ginger to the grated pear and push down with a wooden spoon to squeeze out as much juice as possible.
• Mix the flours, spices, baking powder and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. In a stand mixer, vigorously whisk the eggs and sugars for 3 mins until thick and frothy. Slowly pour in the oil in a steady stream. Turn the speed down, then add the flour mixture, 2 tbsp at a time, alternating with the yogurt, until incorporated. Mix in the grated pear (for no longer than 20 secs). Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 25-30 mins or until a skewer inserted comes out dry.
• For the caramel, heat the pear juice and perry in a pan until reduced to about 50ml. Add the sugar and butter and whisk to a smooth caramel, then add the cream and whisk again until smooth. Add sea salt to your taste - I'd go for a generous pinch, so that the caramel is still fruity and sharp but has a little saltiness to it - then allow to cool slightly to just warmer than room temperature.
• To make the buttercream, put the egg whites and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Place the bowl over a pan of boiling water, then whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is no longer gritty. Put the bowl in the mixer, then whisk until soft peaks form and the bowl returns to room temperature. Switch to the paddle attachment, then add the butter, one spoonful at a time. Add the tahini, vanilla and a pinch of salt, and beat to a light, fluffy icing.
• Place the bottom layer of sponge on a platter or cake stand, then top with a layer of the buttercream and scatter over a third of the chopped pear. Repeat with the next two layers. To ice the cake, do an intial layer all over, chill in the fridge for 20 mins, then use the remaining icing to cover everything. Use a stepped spatula to spread it out evenly. Pour the caramel over the top of the cake, and allow it to drip down the sides. Scatter with toasted buckwheat, dehydrated pear and rosemary, if you like.

TOASTED GINGERBREAD WITH GRILLED PEARS AND CARAMEL

Steps:

• *Bread and caramel sauce should be prepared ahead.
• Preheat a grill to medium heat. (If caramel sauce has cooled completely, return to heat and warm while preparing the pears).
• Cut pears in half lengthwise; Use a melon baller, remove the seeds and core.
• Brush the pears with orange juice and place on the grill cut side down.
• Let the pears cook until they are lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
• As the pears are cooking, place the gingerbread on the grill and lightly toast on each side.
• Remove the pears and the gingerbread from the grill.
• To assemble, place the toasted gingerbread on a plate.
• Slice the pears and arrange them on top of the gingerbread.
• Drizzle with caramel sauce and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
• TO MAKE GINGERBREAD:.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans.
• Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl. Beat in egg and molasses. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and whisk until mixed. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix. Add 1/3 of the hot water and mix. Continue alternating dry ingredients and water in thirds until all is incorporated.
• Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• TO MAKE CARAMEL SAUCE:.
• Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar is melted and takes on a dark golden color. Add the butter and cream and whisk until smooth. Be very careful not to splash yourself, caramel is extremely hot! Let cool about 30 minutes, until thickened.

PEAR UPSIDE-DOWN GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, mix pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup and butter. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Arrange pear slices over pecan mixture, overlapping slightly., Prepare cake mix according to package directions, folding ginger into batter. Pour over pears. Bake 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm.