Ginger and Pear Yogurt Cake

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 0.5 tsp Ground cardamom
• 0.5 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 cup Whole-milk plain yogurt
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 3 Large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tsp Lemon zest (finely grated)
• 0.5 tsp Vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup Neutral oil (such as canola or grapeseed)
• 2 Pears (peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups))
• 0.33 cup Crystallized ginger (finely chopped)
• 1 cup Powdered sugar (sifted; for glaze)
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed; for glaze)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cardamom, and salt until well combined.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, granulated sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and blended.

4. 4

   Slowly whisk the oil into the wet ingredients until the mixture is fully emulsified.

5. 5

   Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula just until no streaks of flour remain; do not overmix.

6. 6

   Fold in the diced pears and chopped crystallized ginger until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

7. 7

   Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

8. 8

   Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. 9

   Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift the cake out of the pan and let it cool completely on the rack.

10. 10

    To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake before serving.

Notes

The cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors of the ginger and cardamom meld. Store leftovers at room temperature, covered tightly with plastic wrap.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cake
• baking
• pear
• ginger
• yogurt cake
• snack cake