Ciambella dark chocolate, walnut, and pear is a seasonal dessert that will envelop you in a cozy, warm hug. Imagine chunks of pear and walnuts tucked in a tender, crumbly dark chocolate cake, with hints of cocoa, cinnamon, and cardamom coming through. Not only is it a delightful dessert, but also great at breakfast or in the afternoon at tea time.
Song of the day: We Got It - Mikala
A simple preparation for a simple cake that packs an incredible flavor. In every bite, you will have the luxuriousness of the dark chocolate, with delightful bursts of soft sweet pear and crunchy walnuts.
Seasonal recipe
This recipe is adapted from an Italian cookbook called "Tutto l'anno con la Cucina Italiana" where Italian recipes are divided by seasons. In fact, Italian cooking and baking are mostly seasonal and as you may have noticed, it is our favorite way. Here, Autumn aromas -pears, walnuts, and spices, are the delightful surprises in every bite of this dark chocolate ciambella (bundt cake).
The ingredients
- milk, every kind
- dark chocolate, a good chocolate bar at least 70% cocoa
- cane sugar
- eggs
- butter, unsalted, softened (at room temperature)
- all-purpose flour, I used an organic pastry flour from a local company
- cocoa
- salt
- cinnamon & cardamom (optional, but give a nice flavor)
- baking powder
- walnuts, roughly chopped
- pear, peeled and chopped. I used a Bartlett pear.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour a bundt pan.
- In a saucepan heat up the milk, add the dark chocolate, and stir until it melts. Then, add the sugar and stir to combine. Let cool slightly, then add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after every addition.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the softened butter and beat until frothy. Slowly, add the chocolate/egg mixture and mix to combine.
- After, add the flour mixture a little at a time and blend until incorporated.
- Lastly, add the chopped walnuts and pear. Mix with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Place the bundt on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool on a rack before unmolding.
What an aroma!
In the end, you will love the texture of this cake. Tender, crumbly, rich in chocolate flavor, with a lovely crunch from the walnuts and some sweet softness from the pear chunks. As a matter of fact, its aroma is also incredible, and while it is in the oven, your whole house will smell like a bakery.
Old-fashioned beauty
This ciambella is beautiful in an old-fashion, natural, way. There are cakes that are all dressed up with icing, fondant, and imagery, but this cake is like a classic vintage movie, simple, yet elegant. You could dust it with icing sugar, or, if you really want, add a glaze, but it will take away from its true deliciousness.
Pear Recipes
Pears are the underdog of fruit when it comes to baking. In reality, they are juicy, soft, and sweet, and make fabulous desserts adding that perfect layer of texture.
If you are looking for more pear sweet treat recipes, we can suggest:
- Rustic Pear & Hazelnut Vegan Galette
- Double Chocolate Pear Cake
- Pear and Ricotta Spelt Scones
- Cranberry Pear Galette with Pecan Crust
- Apple Pear Turnovers
- Vegan Chocolate Pear Muffins
- Roasted Pear and Cinnamon Chocolate Chunk Scones
Ciambella dark chocolate, walnut, and pear
A seasonal dessert that will envelop you in a cozy, warm hug. Imagine chunks of pear and walnuts tucked in a tender, crumbly, dark chocolate cake, with hints of cocoa, cinnamon, and cardamom coming through.
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 100 g milk
- 60 g dark chocolate
- 125 g cane sugar
- 3 eggs
- 120 g butter, softened
- 135 g all-purpose flour
- 30 g cocoa
- pinch of salt
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- pinch of cardamom
- 4 g baking powder
- 70 g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1 pear, peeled and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter and flour a bundt pan.
- In a saucepan heat up the milk, add the dark chocolate, and stir until it melts. Then, add the sugar and stir to combine.
- Let cool slightly, then add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after every addition.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the softened butter and beat until frothy. Slowly, add the chocolate/egg mixture and mix to combine.
- After, add the flour mixture a little at a time and blend until incorporated.
- Lastly, add the chopped walnuts and pear. Mix with a spatula.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Place the bundt on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool on a rack before unmolding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert, cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Gourmet Vegetarians says
Mouth is watering looking at this recipe! Need to go buy one of those tins so I can make this!
★★★★★
Don't tell me there is still somebody who doesn't own a bundt pan?? 😉 I have quite a collection, I would give you one 🙂 . Thank you for your nice words, it is a great cake!
veenaazmanov says
A lovely recipe. This is so moist and soft and crumbly texture too. Love the fruit and walnut punch to it. Chocolate is super yum too.
★★★★★
Thank you! Yes, the texture is lovely and those soft and crunchy surprises are amazing!
Ashley Amundsen says
I love the addition of walnuts and pears. Sounds like a wonderful combination!
★★★★★
Walnuts and pears are such a wonderful compliment to the dark chocolate. Thank you so much!
Amy Liu Dong says
Hands up to this recipe, it's so easy and so delicious! My family will definitely love it. Thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks so much! It's kid friendly, I think they'll love it 😉 .
Gunjan says
The combination of ingredients in this cake is outstanding. We enjoyed every bit of it and no leftovers.
★★★★★
Thank you! Easy to make and easy to find ingredients 🙂 .
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
This looks amazing and easy to make. I like all things pear but I also love that this recipe contains cinnamon and cardamom! I could have this for breakfast every morning!
★★★★★
Thank you! I have to tell you, it's pretty awesome at brekfast! It contains fruit and nuts, so it's ok, right?? 😉
EA Stewart says
Such a delicious combination of flavors. I love the addition of spices combined with chocolate and pears. This is perfect for the holidays!
★★★★★
Thank you! Yes, it has all the festive flavors, plus a deliciously rich texture.
Erin says
This is such an interesting mix of flavors! I've never had pear and chocolate together but have no idea why. It sounds great! I love that you used cardamom. It's so underused in baking!
Well, you are missing out on something! Chocolate and pear is a sophisticated amazing combination. Hope you try it sometime and expand your taste buds' horizon. You can thank me later 😉 .
Elena says
I love everything about this recipe. Chocolate and pears is such a nice combination! YUM!
Thanks! Hope you try it sometime soon, it's amazing!
Jacqueline Debono says
I agree that pears are underrated. I love them in desserts and they go beautifully with chocolate! I can imagine how divine this ciambella tastes. On my to make list!
★★★★★