One-pan Christmas Pear & Ginger cake: A festive favourite made easy

If you’re looking for a simple but impressive festive dessert, this one-pan Christmas pear and ginger cake is the perfect choice. It’s beautifully spiced, wonderfully moist, easy to prepare and uses gorgeous in-season pears – a classic Australian Christmas fruit. Best of all, it all comes together in a single pan, making it ideal for busy cooks and anyone who wants maximum flavour with minimal washing up. Warm ginger, soft caramelised pears and a tender, golden cake make this a show-stopping finish to any holiday meal. Whether you’re hosting family or taking a plate to a gathering, this effortless cake delivers true Christmas comfort.

One-Pan Christmas Pear & Ginger Cake Recipe
Serves: 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Pan: Oven-safe frying pan or 24cm cast-iron skillet

Ingredients
For the pear base:
3 ripe pears, peeled, cored and sliced
40g butter
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
For the cake:
125g butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cups self-raising flour
1½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup milk
Optional: 2 tbsp finely chopped crystallised ginger

Method
1. Prepare the pear layer
Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced).
Heat your oven-safe pan on medium. Melt the butter, then add brown sugar and ground ginger.
Add pear slices and cook for 3–4 minutes until just softened and lightly caramelised.
Remove from heat and arrange pears evenly across the bottom — this will form the beautiful top once flipped.

2. Make the cake batter
In a bowl, beat softened butter with both sugars until light and creamy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well, then stir through the vanilla.
Fold in the self-raising flour, ginger and cinnamon.
Add milk and mix until smooth.
Stir in crystallised ginger if using.

3. Bake the cake
Gently spoon the batter over the pears and smooth the top.
Transfer pan to the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
Place a serving plate over the pan and flip carefully to reveal the glossy pear topping.

Serving Suggestions
Serve warm with cream, yoghurt or brandy custard.
Dust with icing sugar for a festive finish.
Add a sprinkle of chopped pistachios for colour.