Upside-Down Gingerbread Cake Featuring Apples and Pears
Title: Gingerbread Pandowdy: A Twist on a New England Classic 🍏🥧
Hey there, dessert-lovers! Today, we're taking a classic New England dessert, the pandowdy, and giving it a tasty gingerbread makeover. This recipe combines the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread with the rustic charm of a pandowdy. Get ready to enjoy a unique, easy-to-make dessert that's perfect for a cold winter night or holiday party. 🌟
Yield: 9 generous servings or 16 small slices 🍽️Difficulty: Easy as pie (almost) 🥧Prep Time: 30-40 minutesCook Time: 45-55 minutesTotal Time: 1 ½ hours
Ingredients:
- 1 cup each chopped Fuji apple and Bosc pear, plus about 1/2 cup raisins 🍎🍐
- 10 tablespoons butter, divided 🧈
- 3/4 cup brown sugar 🍯
- 1 tablespoon rum extract or to taste, for a boozy kick (optional) 🥃
- 1 packet Trader Joe's Gingerbread Mix 🎅️
- 1 large/extra-large egg 🥚
- 3/4 cup water 💦
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, mix apple, pear, and raisins with the rum extract. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Melt four tablespoons of the butter in a 10-inch skillet or Dutch oven. Spread the fruit mixture into the butter, sprinkle brown sugar over evenly, and cook on low heat for 20-30 minutes or until the fruit is softened and the butter/sugar is caramelizing.
- Melt the remaining butter in the microwave and keep it warm. In a large bowl, beat the egg and water together. Add the gingerbread mix and stir until just combined. Gradually pour the warmed butter into the batter while continuously stirring until well mixed.
- If baking in a skillet, pour the batter over the fruit, with the fruit spread evenly across the pan. Alternatively, you can scrape the fruit mixture into a greased 8-inch × 8-inch baking dish and pour the batter on top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the edges begin to brown too quickly, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil. If the center still seems gooey, continue baking for 10 more minutes.
- Once baked, let the pandowdy cool for 10 minutes. Rcut a table knife around the edges to make sure it's free, then invert onto a plate or platter. You can serve it warm or at room temperature.
- Top with your favorite accompaniments: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or just plain cream. Pro tip: try dulce de leche ice cream for a caramel-infused treat! 🍨
Tips and Variations:
- If you're looking to deepen the gingerbread flavor, consider adding 1/4 cup molasses to the batter.
- Craving a fruity twist? Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen berries to the fruit mixture.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to fit your taste preference. Experiment with adding more cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to amp up the flavor.
Enjoy this gingerbread pandowdy and get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious, cozy dessert! 😋🌍🎄
- The gingerbread pandowdy recipe combines a packet of Trader Joe's Gingerbread Mix with chopped Fuji apples, Bosc pears, and raisins, creating a unique dessert with warm, spicy flavors.
- To ensure the gingerbread batter is well mixed, melt the remaining butter and gradually pour it into the beat-together egg and water, while continuously stirring.
- After baking, top the cooled gingerbread pandowdy with your preferred accompaniments such as whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or dulce de leche ice cream for an extra treat.
