Chocolate Cake with Pears

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups cake flour
• ¼ cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 whole egg (at room temperature)
• 2 egg yolks (at room temperature)
• ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup chocolate chunks (divided)
• 2 medium pears
• 2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper and grease the sides. Set it aside.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, combine cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, combine sugar, egg, and egg yolks. Beat until light and creamy using a hand mixer.

4. 4

   Add yogurt, milk, vanilla extract, and oil. Beat until just combined.

5. 5

   In a microwave-safe bowl, melt ⅓ cup chocolate chunks and add it to the wet mixture once cooled down.

6. 6

   Gradually add the flour mixture in batches, mixing on low speed until well combined.

7. 7

   Pour the cake batter over the prepared cake pan.

8. 8

   Meanwhile, peel the skin off the pears, remove the core, and slice them (not too thick or thin). Arrange them over the cake batter.

9. 9

   Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chunks over the top. Place the cake pan in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. 10

    Once done, allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Slowly release the springform pan sides and remove it.

11. 11

    Slice and serve the chocolate pear cake to enjoy.