Name: Upside-Down Pear Chocolate Cake
Yield: Serves 12 to 15
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature, for pan; 1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup water; 3 firm but ripe pears, peeled, cored, and each cut into 12 slices (1 pound prepped); 1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter; 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped; 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup (1 ounce) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) granulated sugar; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup whole milk; Chantilly cream or Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, for serving (optional)

Image may contain Plant Food Hot Dog and Fruit

Upside-Down Pear Chocolate CakeSara Remington

Chocolate and pears make an excellent combination. Here, bittersweet chocolate and sweet pears meld together to form the perfect balance. For this recipe, you can either take a rustic approach and toss the pears haphazardly into the pan or opt for a more elegant look by arranging the pears in concentric circles. Look for a good dark chocolate, which is not the same as unsweetened chocolate. Also, there are two kinds of unsweetened cocoa on the market; be sure to use unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa, not natural cocoa. When combined with baking soda, natural cocoa can impart a bitter taste to baked goods and cause them to rise too much.

Recipe notes

29 Ricotta Recipes for Dinner, Dessert, and More

Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.

The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week

Like seared scallop piccata and chocolate Guinness cake.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

A generous glug of stout gives this snackable loaf a malty depth.

Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon

This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.

The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Vegan Chili

This vegan chili skips the meat but keeps all of the smoky-savory flavors that make it so comforting: cocoa powder, beans, and all of the toppings.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.