A smiling woman with long brown hair rests her hands on a cookbook titled Never Say Never to Dolce, which features her photo on the cover. A silver vase with orange flowers sits on the counter in front of her.

Cookbooks

Never Say Never to Dolce

A brand-new collection of 50 approachable homemade desserts – from iconic Cannoli to Dolci al Cucchiaio and more – that proves there’s always room for a little sweetness.

Manuela’s Sweet Temptations

A collection of 50 irresistible dessert recipes, from classic Italian treats to modern favorites—including gluten-free options.

The Complete Italian Cookbook: Essential Regional Cooking of Italy

A collection of 50 irresistible dessert recipes, from classic Italian treats to modern favorites—including gluten-free options.

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Easy Soft and Moist Pear and Apple Yogurt Cake

Soft and moist yogurt cake with apple and pear slices. An easy-to-make and delicious breakfast – made with love

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This Valentine’s Day, show your special someone how much you care with a delicious homemade cinnamon-kissed, rich, and moist yogurt cake that’s as heartwarming as delicious. 
Infused with the goodness of apples and pears, and adorned with a touch of cinnamon, this breakfast delight is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a testament to the love and care poured into its creation.
  This buttery and perfectly dense cake, with a moist crumb from the juicy apple and pears, is fantastic on its own,  next to your cup of tea or coffee, but even better dressed up with berries, ice cream, or whipped cream. 
This yogurt cake is simply made using one bowl and a whisk (or mixer), a few easily available ingredients, and Greek yogurt which adds flavor and consistency to the pound cake. If you wish, you can substitute the yogurt with the same amount of sour cream or ricotta cheese.  For this simple recipe, all you have to do is mix the eggs with the sugar, and add the lemon (if you wish to use it) and vanilla extract for flavor. Add the plain yogurt and melted butter (make sure it’s not warm but a room temperature or it might cook the eggs). Mix well. Add the dry ingredients and remember: mix only until combined. Over-mixing at this point will make the cake drier. Fold in the apple slices, top with the pear slices, and bake! As simple as that!
For this recipe, you can use your favorite apples and/or pears. I used two apples in the cake batter and one pear on top. But you can switch and change it up as you wish. 
 
When it comes to baking, choosing the right apples and pears can make a significant difference in the flavor, texture, and overall success of your baked goods. Each variety offers unique qualities that can enhance your recipes. Here are some of the best apples and pears for baking:

Best apples for baking:

Fuji: Fuji apples are sweet and firm, making them ideal for cakes, muffins, and crisps. They add a natural sweetness to your baked treats. Granny Smith: known for their tartness and firm texture, Granny Smith apples hold up well in baking. They add a refreshing zing to pies, crisps, and cakes. Honeycrisp: These apples bring a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Their crisp texture remains intact during baking, making them an excellent choice for apple crisps and cobblers. Braeburn: These apples offer a sweet and spicy flavor, making them suitable for pies and tarts. They hold their shape well when baked.

Best Pears for Baking:

D’Anjou:  D’Anjou pears are versatile and can be used for various baked treats. They have a smooth texture and sweet taste. Anjou: Both red and green Anjou pears are suitable for baking. They have a sweet and juicy flavor, making them great for cakes and crisps.
Bosc: Bosc pears are known for their firm and dense texture, making them perfect for baking. They hold their shape well in pies and tarts.
Red Bartlett:  These pears are sweet and slightly tangy, adding vibrant color and flavor to desserts like pies and crumbles. When selecting apples and pears for baking, consider the texture, sweetness level, and whether they hold their shape during cooking. Experimenting with different varieties can lead to exciting flavor combinations in your favorite baked recipes. Make sure to use ripe pears (but not too ripe! or they will be too mushy).
So, let’s embark on a journey into the heart of baking, where flour, sugar, a dollop of love, and a hint of cinnamon come together to create a masterpiece that will make this Valentine’s Day morning truly special.
 

Easy Soft and Moist Pear and Apple Yogurt Cake

4, 3 rating(s)

Soft and moist yogurt cake with apple and pear slices. An easy-to-make and delicious breakfast – made with love

Servings:

8

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Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

1 hr,

Resting Time

Total Time

1 hr, 15 min

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup (150 gr) sugar
  • 1 lemon, zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 10 oz (285 gr) plain Greek yogurt
  • 4 oz (115 gr) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 cups (240 gr) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 large apples, peeled and sliced
  • 1 large pear, peeled and sliced
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
  • powdered sugar, for top

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line a 1-pound loaf baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and sugar, and beat well. You can use a hand mixer or a whisk.
  3. Add the finely grated lemon zest, vanilla extract, yogurt, and melted butter (at room temperature). Beat well.
  4. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder, and mix until just combined. Don’t over mix.
  5. Fold in the apple slices. Pour into the prepared baking pan, and top with the pear slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if you like.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven at 350F for about 60 minutes or until set. Cover loosely with aluminum foil if the top gets too brown after 40 minutes. Make sure to test with a toothpick for readiness.
  7. Let cool down, sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!