Black Sesame-Pear Tea Cake

A sophisticated tea cake that combines the nutty richness of black sesame seeds with sweet, tender pieces of Bosc pear. This moist loaf cake features a delicate crumb thanks to the combination of all-purpose and almond flours, finished with a crispy sugared top.

8 servings
2 hr

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup black sesame seeds
  • 1⅓ cups sugar
  • 1 whole large egg
  • 1 whole large egg yolk
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • 1 whole Bosc pear
  • Ingredient info

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter one 9x5x3" loaf pan or six 4x2x2" paper or metal loaf pans. Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, next 4 ingredients, and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds in a medium bowl. Grind remaining 1/2 cup sesame seeds in spice mill to form a thick paste, about 2 minutes.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/3 cups sugar in a large bowl until well combined, 2-3 minutes. Add sesame paste and beat, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl, until blended, 1-2 minutes. Add egg and egg yolk. Beat until pale and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. On low speed, beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Toss pear with remaining 2 tablespoons flour in a small bowl; fold into batter.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Spoon batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into center, about 1 hour 40 minutes for large loaf and 45-55 minutes for small loaves. Let cool in pans on a wire rack.

    100 min