This Pear Crumble Cake is a light, moist winter dessert made with ripe pears and a warmly spiced streusel topping. It works beautifully for breakfast, afternoon tea or as an easy dessert to share.
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Why we love this recipe
We often find ourselves in that odd in-between season when one day feels like summer and the next brings a chill. Some days call for ice cream, but other times you want something comforting — and this Pear Crumble Cake fits the bill perfectly. It’s tender, fruity and topped with a crunchy, spiced streusel that makes each bite irresistible.
Pear season doesn’t last forever, so this cake is a great way to make the most of ripe pears. I’ve used pears in many bakes — from classic poached pears to spiced pear muffins and fluffy pear-almond cakes — and this crumble cake is another favorite. Its texture and spice profile make it an excellent choice when the weather turns cool.
Pear Coffee Cake
The term “coffee cake” can mean a few things: a cake flavored with coffee, layers filled with coffee buttercream, or simply a cake meant to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee. This recipe follows the latter tradition — a loaf-style cake that pairs perfectly with tea or coffee and is finished with a characteristic streusel topping.
What sets this cake apart is the spiced streusel. While many coffee cakes rely mostly on cinnamon, this version layers complementary warm spices to deepen the flavor. The streusel can either top the batter before baking or be added between layers — here it’s sprinkled on top so it bakes into a crisp, golden crust.
Ingredients
This Pear Crumble Cake includes two main components: a tender cake batter and a fragrant spiced crumb topping. A couple of small swaps help elevate the final bake.
Instead of sour cream, this recipe uses Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt adds tang and richness to the batter while keeping the crumb tender and moist. The yogurt also reacts with the leavening for a nice lift.
The spiced streusel is the star: a simple mix of flour, sugar, butter and spices. Cold butter helps create the best crumbly texture, and a food processor makes the job quick, though you can achieve the same result by rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips.
Keep the pear pieces uniform so they bake evenly, and choose ripe but firm pears to avoid excess liquid in the cake. A small grating of orange zest in the crumbs brightens the spice mix and ties the flavors together.
Recipe FAQs
Along with cinnamon, try warming spices like five-spice blend, nutmeg and ginger. Five-spice (a mix of fennel, star anise, cinnamon, white pepper and cloves) adds an aromatic depth that complements pears well. Use these spices sparingly so they enhance rather than overpower the fruit.
A ceramic baking dish or a rectangular baking tray lined with baking paper works nicely. Ceramic is attractive for serving straight from the pan and gives a rustic presentation, while a metal pan can yield slightly crisper edges. Serve the cake warm or at room temperature, sliced from the baking dish or transferred to a serving plate.
More Pear Recipes
- Apple and Pear Crumble
- Double Chocolate and Pear Cake
- Gluten-Free Pear and Raspberry Cake
- Fresh Pear Pie
- Pear Tarte Tatin
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Recipe
Pear Crumb Cake
Print Recipe
Ingredients
Coffee Cake Batter
- 130 ml (1/2 cup) Greek Yogurt
- 3 Eggs
- 1/4 teasp. Vanilla Extract
- 180 gr (1 1/4 cup) Plain Flour
- 30 gr (2 tbsp.) Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 teasp. Baking Powder
- 1/2 teasp. Baking Soda
- 1 pinch Salt
- 120 gr (1/2 cup) Butter, melted
- 2 Large Pears
Spiced Crumbs
- 150 gr (1 cup) Plain Flour
- 50 gr (1/4 cup ) Brown Sugar
- 1 teasp. Cinnamon Powder
- 1/4 teasp. Chinese 5 Spices
- 1/4 teasp. Nutmeg Powder
- 1/4 teasp. Ginger Powder
- 1 Orange Zest
- 120 gr (1/2 cup) Butter
Instructions
Coffee Cake Batter
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Combine the Greek yogurt, eggs and vanilla extract in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
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Stir the melted butter into the dry ingredients, then gradually add the yogurt and egg mixture. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps.
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Peel and dice the pears into small, even cubes.
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Pour the batter into a rectangular baking pan lined with baking paper. Scatter the cubed pears evenly over the batter.
Spiced Crumbs
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In a food processor, pulse the flour and spices to combine. Add the orange zest and cold butter cut into small pieces, and pulse until coarse crumbs form. If you don’t have a processor, rub the butter into the dry mix with your fingertips until crumbly.
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Evenly sprinkle the spiced crumbs over the pear-topped batter.
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Bake at 180°C (356°F) for 20–25 minutes, or until the crumbs turn golden brown and the cake is set. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Nutrition (per serving)