Rustic Almond and Pear Torte
A delightful Italian-style torte that combines the nutty richness of almonds with the sweet succulence of pears. This cake offers a moist, tender crumb and pairs beautifully with coffee or dessert wine. It is versatile, allowing for both regular and gluten-free flour options. Fresh pears are recommended for the best flavor, although canned pears can be used in a pinch. The combination of cinnamon and almond provides a comforting warmth and aromatic appeal.
N/A
Servings
280
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
150 g (softened)
caster sugar
3/4 cup
lemon zest
1 teaspoon (finely grated)
eggs
2 (at room temperature)
all-purpose or gluten-free flour
1 1/2 cups
baking powder
3 teaspoons (gluten-free if needed)
almond meal
1/2 cup (finely ground)
pears
3 (peeled, quartered, and finely sliced)
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
sliced almonds
1/2 cup (untoasted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 30cm flan tin or pie plate ready for serving.
2
In a mixing bowl, use electric beaters to cream the butter, caster sugar, and lemon zest until the mixture becomes pale and creamy.
3
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate.
4
Gently fold in the all-purpose or gluten-free flour, baking powder, and almond meal. If using gluten-free flour without added gum, fold in the xanthan or guar gum now.
5
Pour half of the batter into the prepared flan tin, smoothing over the base evenly.
6
Arrange the thinly sliced pears evenly over the batter, slightly overlapping them to ensure full coverage. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top of the pear layer.
7
Carefully spoon the remaining half of the batter over the pear layer, spreading it gently to cover most of the pears.
8
Scatter the sliced almonds over the top of the batter.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.
10
Let the cake cool in the tin for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with your choice of fresh cream, warm custard, or ice cream.
Nutrition Information
34 g
Carbs
6 g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Rustic Almond and Pear Torte?
It is a delightful Italian-style torte that combines nutty almonds with sweet pears for a moist and tender dessert.
Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and allows for the use of gluten-free flour and gluten-free baking powder.
Can I use canned pears instead of fresh?
Fresh pears are recommended for the best flavor, but canned pears can be used in a pinch.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 180°C or 350°F.
What size pan is required for this torte?
A 30cm flan tin or a pie plate is recommended.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 280 calories.
How much butter is needed for the recipe?
You will need 150g of softened butter.
What type of sugar should I use?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of caster sugar.
How many eggs are included in the batter?
The recipe requires 2 eggs, preferably at room temperature.
What is the role of lemon zest in this torte?
One teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest is creamed with the butter to add a bright, aromatic flavor.
How much flour is needed?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose or gluten-free flour.
How much baking powder is used?
The recipe uses 3 teaspoons of baking powder.
What type of almond meal is best?
Use 1/2 cup of finely ground almond meal for the best texture.
How should the pears be prepared?
The 3 pears should be peeled, quartered, and finely sliced.
Is cinnamon used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is sprinkled over the pear layer.
What is used as a topping?
The torte is topped with 1/2 cup of untoasted sliced almonds.
How do I layer the torte?
Pour half the batter into the tin, arrange pears and cinnamon, then cover with the remaining batter and almonds.
How long does the torte take to bake?
It should bake for approximately 30-35 minutes.
How do I know when the cake is done?
The cake is ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the torte cool before serving?
Let the cake cool in the tin for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
What are the best serving suggestions?
Serve the torte warm with fresh cream, warm custard, or ice cream.
Does this torte pair well with beverages?
Yes, it pairs beautifully with coffee or dessert wine.
How many grams of protein are in the torte?
The torte contains 6 grams of protein per serving.
How many grams of carbohydrates does it have?
There are 34 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Should the almonds on top be toasted?
No, use untoasted sliced almonds as they will toast while the cake bakes.
Is xanthan gum necessary?
If using gluten-free flour that does not already contain gum, you should fold in xanthan or guar gum.
What flavor profile does the cinnamon provide?
The cinnamon provides a comforting warmth and aromatic appeal.
Is this considered a seasonal dessert?
Yes, it is often tagged as a fall dessert due to the use of pears and cinnamon.
Can I use a stand mixer?
Yes, electric beaters or a stand mixer can be used to cream the butter and sugar.
What makes this torte 'rustic'?
Its simple layering of fruit and nuts and the style of the flan tin give it a charming, home-style rustic appearance.