Low-Fat Pear and Cinnamon Chip Coffee Cake
Yesterday was my hubby’s birthday. Typically I would bake a cake for the occasion, but as we were going to a wedding that evening, I decided on a breakfast cake. A coffee cake with pears and cinnamon chips to be exact. Have you baked with cinnamon chips before? I recommend ordering them through King Arthur Flour, though I was in a rush and got them from the grocery store. So nice for fall!
I was extra excited about baking this weekend because I had some fun new kitchen toys to play with. The wonderful Kelly over at Cooking to Dance had raved about Demarle at Home products and asked if I would like to try some out. Of course I said yes! And I was very impressed with what Kelly sent. I was not familiar with Demarle products, but I am now completely in love with the flexipan molds. My cake came out evenly baked and popped right out of the pan without any sticking. The molds don’t even need cooking spray. I have used silicone baking molds in the past, but none this great. I will be using this for all my cakes, casseroles, gratins, mac and cheese, etc. in the future. You have to go over and check out all the gorgeous shapes these baking dish molds come in!
I lightened this coffee cake up a bit be replacing most of the fat with pear sauce. Muffins, breads, and cakes can often be lightened with applesauce/pears sauce by replacing most of the oil. Keeping 1 tablespoon of oil or butter will help ensure a moist cake.
The addition of pears and cinnamon chips was just what we needed to make this coffee cake a little different from the usual ones. I would add some chopped pecans to the streusel the next time. Doesn’t streusel just make everything better?
Okay, now I have some super duper awesome news for you! Like many of you who read my post about my upcoming half-marathon with Team GSF, Kelly was moved by the Strongs and wanted to help end SMA, the #1 genetic killer of young children. So, Kelly is offering a week-long fundraiser for GSF by donating 20% of her Demarle at Home sales generated through Yummy Mummy. All you have to do is order through her sales page at Demarle here, and then send her an email with “Yummy Fundraiser” in the subject. I also have to recommend the silpat. It’s perfect for baking cookies or anything else on a cookie sheet. Now get shopping, it’s for a good cause! Then make this coffee cake for a special breakfast.
We had a great weekend and hope you did too! Here are a few quick pics I took at the beautiful ranch style wedding. Congratulations to the bride and groom. And happy birthday to my hubby!
Pear and Cinnamon Chip Coffee Cake
printer-friendly recipe
Cake:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 cup milk1/4 cup pear sauce or apple sauce
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup cinnamon chips
2 small pears, cored, halved and sliced
Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Whisk flour together with the other dry ingredients. Beat the egg, then add the milk, pear sauce, and oil. Pour the wet into the dry and cinnamon chips. Stir to combine. Pour into a well greased 8-inch square pan. Arrange pears over top. Mix together the streusel ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the batter. Bake at 400 about 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
good for you doing a halfer, I have always wanted to try. I love a nice run, but can barely make it past 4 miles. Lovely cake.
So exciting about marathon!
This looks amazing!! You are full of great ideas
I love pears! Have you ever tried pear pie? It's so good! 😀
I didn't have good luck the one time I tried a silicone bundt pan, but I'll give them another try. The wedding looks beautiful, and so does the coffee cake.
wow-that looks amazing -doesn't look low fat at all! Great pics too.
Thanks for sharing!
Bree
That looks just terrific. Delicious and the pics are fantastic. Come visit. We have a yummy pumpkin panna cotta today.
this looks beautiful! I love pears!!
I love coffee cake, I love pears, and I'm doing Weight Watchers – this post was made for me! Can't wait to give it a try.
What a beautiful cake. Your husband must have been thrilled!
Such a perfect cake…it would go great with my morning coffee!! You are gorgeous…Happy Tuesday!
I always put apples with cinnamon chips, never think to use pears! What a great idea. This cake looks really good 🙂
Marina, This coffee cake looks amazingly delicious, and I am going to make it this week to take over to the nurses at the Alzheimeer's care center where my mom is. They take such great care of her and I like to take them in weekly treats. (Your pictures are beautiful)
I love The Strong's, and will definitly go order a few things to help the cause. Thank you for posting the info.
-Mari
Just what I need right now. (:
The cake looks amazingly delicious, love the pics. Happy birthday to your hubby!!
that looks heavenly/ I love the cinnamon chip addition. Beautiful pictures too- Happy b-day to your husband or late b-day for that matter!
Your coffee cake would get any sleepyhead out of bed! You and your husband are a beautiful “pear”! 🙂
Congrats on your run, Marina!
Sounds like a great recipe. Will bookmark this.
Yum. Marina. This looks fab. You and your Hubby make such a gorgeous couple and what a beautiful wedding! Love it!! Xoxox