Bake or Break

Spiced Pear Cake

On Christmas Eve, I was gathering everything we needed to make our big dinner when suddenly I realized that I hadn't planned a dessert. Really?!? I've been in heavy baking mode this month, but I had neglected to think of something special for Christmas. Sure, I had some leftover Deep-Dish Pecan Pie, but such an occasion warrants its own dessert. So, we made a trip to our neighborhood market to peruse the possibilities. Some ingredients procured and my fingers crossed, I whipped up this cake.

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Sour Cream Pear Cake with Pecan Streusel

While some people call this apple season, I like to think of it as pear season. They are, by far, my favorite fruit to bake with this time of year.

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Pear and Pecan Muffins

When everyone is clamoring about apple season, I'm the one ogling the pears. As much as I like baking with apples, I prefer the subtlety of pears. Once I get my first ones and start baking, I know fall has officially arrived. If you could somehow take all the awesome parts of fall and condense them into a muffin, you'd have yourself one of these gems. Pears and pecans and cinnamon make for a pretty perfect combination. These muffins are simple yet tasty, soft yet sturdy.

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