Chocolate Pear Cake

Chocolate Pear Cake sounds absolutely delicious! Here’s a simple recipe for you to try out:

For the Cake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
- 2 pears, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional, but adds a nice touch)
For the Topping (optional):
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Additional chocolate chips or cocoa powder for garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Make the batter: In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Fold in the pears and chocolate chips: Gently fold the chopped pears into the batter, followed by the chocolate chips (if using).
Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool the cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional toppings: Once the cake is cooled, you can dust it with powdered sugar or top it with extra chocolate chips or cocoa powder for a decorative touch.

Enjoy your homemade Chocolate Pear Cake! It’s a perfect balance of rich chocolate and the natural sweetness of pears.