When I first started dating Mr NQN his mother Tuulikki lived in Coffs Harbour. She would ring him frequently worried that her eldest son was living far away from her in Sydney and seeing a girl she had not met. He was notorious for being a poor communicator with her and she was the kind of personality that couldn’t quite understand that her son didn’t want to be interrogated about his new girlfriend. So she kept prodding and talking and asking questions about me and he would offer up one word tight-lipped tidbits like “Yep” or “No” to her innumerable questions. I would listen and wonder how a person could talk to so much without taking breath once.
Her standard greeting when calling was “Hello? So anyway…” and out would tumble an entire week’s worth of conversation and questions. This would prompt the very strong and silent Mr NQN to fasten his bottom lip to his top and keep quiet. I even witnessed a conversation where he put down the phone on the table, got himself a drink, drank it, flicked through some mail and picked it back up minutes later only to have her still talking having not missed a beat nor noticed.
As he was stonewalling her for information, she sought information out different ways. She wanted my star sign and time of birth so that she could construct an astrological chart for us so that she could see the potential for our relationship. She hounded him for days for this information and he finally capitulated with the correct date but the wrong time as we didn’t know it.
Shortly later she sent through a chart for both of us detailing out future together as told by the starsigns. And if anyone should ever dip their toe in the Elliott family no matter how casually or hesitatingly, you can be sure that she will ask for your birth date and time. Cue Mr NQN and his brother who will then make jokes and snicker about “looking for Uranus” (boys!). Although I don’t quite believe that you can have a horoscope that fits one twelfth of the population there is no denying that I do befit the characteristics of Taurus.
I recently went to see a psychic. Not for any soul searching reason but because my friend Queen Viv wanted to see one and I thought what harm could it do. He took my date of birth and told me a few things, all of which are typical Taurean but also typical me. He said with no uncertainty that as long as I had shelter, food, attentive and love then I am happy. Of course this could be true of pretty much anyone. But I took his point. Don’t take away my food, love or attention or a disgruntled beast emerges.
And this cake is an example of this. The rainy, cold weather of late has had me scrambling for comfort via food. And the best thing about it is that even if you don’t have pears which are plentiful at the moment (I bought some adorable tiny Corella pears) you can also use apple. Hell, you could even use tinned apple if that’s the way you want to go! 
It also uses wholemeal flour but not enough so that it tastes too wholemealy. The whole cake is mixed within about 10 minutes and you just leave the oven to do its thing for 40 minutes or so and you have a wonderfully warming, buttery yet simple tea cake.
I’m being a little unfair though. As far as mother in laws go, Tuulikki is a nice one to have. Sure she would love nothing more than for Mr NQN and I to turn vegetarian and wear purple flowing scarves and smell like patchouli but I think she has now accepted the fact that I will always love the luxurious side of life and mud unless it is in a face mask is not my chosen medium for dancing or playing in.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you like easy recipes or ones that are challenging? And are you the silent or talkative type?
P.S. My lovelies, this is the last shout out for the To Market To Market winners. Check out the post to see if you have won anything and if you have please contact me as this is the last day to claim your prize!
Easy Pear Tea Cake
- 3/4 cup plain wholemeal flour
- 3/4 cup self raising flour
- 3/4 cup caster or superfine sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 125g/4ozs melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 400g/14ozs. pears or apples, diced (you can even use tinned and I don’t bother peeling them)
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon or vanilla sugar
- Icing sugar to serve (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Grease and line an 20cm/8inch springform tin with parchment paper.
2. Mix the two flours, sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in a bowl. Press three quarters of the mix into the base of the tin-it will be like a sticky, buttery dough. Scatter the diced pears on top. Then place small pieces of the dough on it in a patchwork pattern so that the pear is not entirely covered up.
Layer 3/4 of the buttery mixture
Then add the pears
Then the rest of the dough scattered in pieces
Then the sugar
Sprinkle with cinnamon or vanilla sugar (I prefer vanilla sugar for pears and cinnamon sugar for apples). Bake for 40-50 minutes. Sieve some icing sugar on top. Allow to cool before slicing as it is very delicate when warm.
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106 Comments | Add your own
Looks simple, easy and delicious, exactly the kind of recipes I love! Tuulikki sounds Finnish. Have you visited Finland?
It looks fantastic! I really like that recipe. I bet that cake tasted divine.
Cheers,
Rosa
I think I’m an easy recipe girl all the way! This cake sounds just perfect! So funny to hear that story about Tuulikki! I’m probably more of a talkative person too…
Mmm yummy! I love that you used some whole wheat to make it healthier and that part of the cake is crumbled on top. Makes more a cute look.
I love how rustically (sp?)gorgeous this is
Thanks for the recipe. A box of apples has just arrived at my house and I can think of nothing more than this warm cake!!. By the way, I have a son, and when they no longer consider your every word as gospel… it is hard to move on…
This seems like the perfect cake for some home made high tea with some girlfriends
Your story is very funny
. I am also a Taurus, yep love food and love and attention, love pretty things but can be sensible about them. Comfort: I love comfort food most, for me that would be Italian food from my village, like crescentine, gnocco fritto, chocolate Barozzi cake, sweet spinach and ricotta cake, fried porcini mushrooms (actually, anything with porcini mushrooms), freshly made tagliatelle, chestnut fritters… in fewer words, I like simple food that in New Zealand looks challenging! Is all a matter of prospectives. I know many people who probably would find even your pear cake challenging 
. btw, it looks great and I love pear cakes (I posted 2 apple cakes instead).
And as you can see from here, I am definitely the talkative type (this too apparently is OK in Italy but not so ok in NZ), but to my defense I can say that I am also quite a good listener
ciao
Alessandra
looks pearfect..yum..jane
Wow Mr. NQN sounds awfully similar to my husband when it comes to dealing with their mothers… hehe
I’m a big fan of simple, homely recipes, but also the complicated ones where I can “test” myself out a bit – as long as I’m surrounded by good food in my kitchen, I’m happy!
Hi Lorraine…I love pears…I think I might even have a can in the cupboard for times like this if I can’t get to the shop. I think I’ll try it with White Wings Gluten Free and see how it goes…it should be great though. I bought one of their flours and it had a Donna Hay chocolate cake recipe on it and it turned out fabulous, even though I omitted the eggs!!!
wow looks so good! I love the chunky topping
x
this looks so easy to make lorraine thank you!
I’m always sold on a recipe that has “Easy” in the title – and one bowl too. Yay! I’m'a gonna make this!
(Oh I made those mini pavlovas you posted about some time ago and they were absolutely perfect. My first go too – so credit to your recipe
)
Oh this looks amazing. I was just telling everyone how obsessed I am with pears at the moment.Can’t wait to try it.
Funny about your MIL, I guess it depends if you’re the open type or not.
I can be either, depending who I’m with and whether the person is close to me. I do love a good open d&m sesh but I also like times of silence.
Oh Gosh, Mr NQN’s Mum sounds a lot like my Dad. He doesn’t ask loads of questions, he just talks. I also have put the phone down, got a drink, gone to the loo or whatever and he’s had no idea because he’s still talking. Then he’ll say: ‘Anyway I have to go now’, as if I’ve been the one holding him up and hang up! Parents are funny.
I’m fairly quiet, I wonder why?
yummy Lorraine …. going to have to try this one … looks very rustic and delish .. i think some vanilla custard would finish it and make it slide right of the hips …..hahahahaha
Yum! Lovely recipe Lorraine. Looks perfect for this cold Sydney winter’s day. i love simple recipes for everyday and more challenging ones for special occasions. I’m chatty with my girlfriends but when i come home after a long day at work (teaching) i just like to hide in the kitchen, listen to the radio and commune silently with the food as i prepare dinner!
Right now I live in a rented room with a shared kitchen so one-bowl-anything immediately has my attention! I have never had pears in a cake before, don’t know why.
I always love your baking, Lorraine!
I have a simple pear / apple cake recipe similar to this. It’s unbelievably easy and delicious. But I love how you have separated the top and bottom of this cake. Great idea. Would love a slice of that served up to me right now!
I oscillate between loving something simple that only takes a few minutes to prepare, and challenging myself with something that takes my eye. I suppose I’m saying I don’t discriminate against any form of baking.
I’m in need of comfort food at the moment! I have to say I love the styling of the photo too, the woodsy ceramics and leaves are gorgeous.
I do that same trick when my mum’s on the phone too. And Mr NQN should have done what mine did when we were dating, he(falsely) told his parents I didn’t like them so he didn’t have to answer any questions about me!!! How embarrasing!!! My in-laws and I are friends now though:)
I don’t like recipes to be too challenging. This looks great. I love pears any old way.
This cake looks so delicious. I enjoyed your mother in law story!
Looks like a cake that would impress even the most difficult mother-in-law!
Yum that looks so good. I love pears and sweet pastry!
I love both simple and complex recipes, it just depends on how much time I have. As for talkative? It really depends on who I’m with -I can be a good listener but, with the right topic, it’s really hard to shut me up!
What a perfect cake to make for a cold, wintry, overcast day like today. The beautiful aroma wafting through the house would would comfort anyone. I’ll have a slice right now with a hot mug of tea, thank you.
In fact, I’ve entered one of my recipes on the lurpak.com.au , a competition which will be judged by Adriano Zumbo. Wish me luck 
If pushed for time I like easy recipes but I do like a challenge and have been cooking some of the Masterchef recipes. I just love Series 3, the contestants have had the most amazing experiences, I’d love to be in their shoes !
I’m neither silent or overly talkative but can become so if a current topic excites me. Come to think of it , anything remotely related to food excites me immensely.
Perfect! I have some pears in the fruit bowl and with the current freezing weather we’ve been having, a sweet warming dessert will please the troops no end tonight – thanks.
Oh my gawd I am stealing this recipe Lorraine, and I will serve it with lovely thick clotted cream to boot! Beautiful pics
I am an easy recipe girl, always have been, if i see a recipe that is too long or has too many ingredients, i flip the page…
My that looks scrummy! Looks like I’ll be picking up some pears next shopping trip!
Thanks for the recipe Lorraine, I needed to bake a cake this morning and couldn’t resist this recipe as it looked so good and I already had all the ingredients (too cold in Sydney to go out so I’ve tried tinned peaches). I have the cake baking right now. Super easy, can’t wait til it’s done!
This cake looks gorgeous Lorraine. I LOVE easy recipes especially if the results look as though you’ve slaved for hours over it. Just one question though, is the wholemeal flour plain or self raising? Thanks.
I am a very typical Gemini – I myself don’t always know what suits on the day!
! I love attempting challenging recipes & get a thrill out of a good result, but am sensible enough to resort to the tried/true and fast when time is short. And, oh yes, I love to talk – at the same time I truly need my own space, be it for an hour or two or just opting ‘out of the world’ for the day 
! Oh, love pears, no necessarily in a cake – but nice, Little Pretty 
!
Hi Belinda! YAY I’d love to know what you think of it when it’s done!
Hi Cathy! Thanks! I used plain wholemeal flour (although using SR would be fine I suspect too)
I love how rustic and chunky your cake looks. Like a big delicious crumble! I am going to give this a go, I bought a crate full of pears earlier this week.
Boys/men are notorious for their non-communicating skills aren’t they? I have to remind Nick to call his mum and dad on their birthdays, lol. Must be a genetic thing. I like most women am the talkative type. I feel sick if I can’t talk.
What a fantastic recipe! I love nothing more than a one bowl recipe, no mess and no fuss is the best way when it comes to cakes. Unfortunately I’m the talkative type, can’t seem to keep my mouth shut
Have always loved easy recipes and will continue to love them…and who doesn’t? especially when the results turned out looking lovely like this!
Love the sound of the cake! So yummy! Will trot out and buy some pears this afternoon and give it a crack!
I love that rustic, bumpy top. I made something similar last summer, but with nectarines. Was a winner!
I like the challenge of a difficult recipe but i’m much more likely to find the time for an easy one like this, especially when it doesn’t create much washing up! This one looks delicious, perfect with an earl grey on a cold afternoon
This cake looks gorgeous Lorraine, and is just the kind of thing I like the best. I like the easier things for day to day and the harder things for a challenge or special occasion.
wow, thanks for sharing Lorraine, made me smile this post…I have this obsession with finding out new friends time of birth etc…It helps me understand them! I will make this for my Taurean Man with the tinned apple…thankyou xo
Sounds great! I would love to make it into cupcakes to please my son.
Ohhh! I love those pears! I forgot what they’re called but they’re so yummy
I’ve always love pear whether just eating alone or in a cake form. now it is in season I will try your recipe!
I printed the recipe immediately! Cannot wait to try this scrumptious tea cake recipe especially seeing as pears are luscious and in season. Yummy!!
Do you think it would be disastrous if I used plain flour and wholemeal self raising flour?
Hi Cashmere-No I think that would be just fine as you had the rising agent in the wholemeal flour
Too funny. Mine is a bit the same and I have seen Pete do exactly what Mr NQN has done re drink – hilarious! This cake looks absolutely delicious at first I was wondering how it could be so easy when the top looks quite complicated. Nice! I will be making this one, I’m thinking apple and rhubarb
Love it. Very amusing. Bet you walked away from that reading shaking your head… Too generic! Love the cake, am such a fan of the simple recipes, I always question the difficult ones, why do they need to be? And I’m actually a quiet type, Mr HG is sooooo talkative, so we balance each other nicely.
I tend to be talkative, and I like both easy and hard recipes, totally depends on my mood
This cake looks just divine!! Completely my kind of cake.
Heidi xo
Love this recipe and all other one-bowl creations, anything that minimises washing up is environmentally and cook friendly!
Haha, why do I keep assuming that your MIL is Chinese? LOL. Except for the hippie thing, she sounds very much like my Chinese church ladies. Mr. NQN has quite the patience!! I cannot stand long-winded conversations, esp if it’s entirely one-way.
Anyway, I def have this recipe bookmarked!
My house now smells divine due to this baking right now! I used apples as I didn’t have enough pears and the smell of cinnamon is making me sooooo hungry, can’t wait to have a piece warm out of the oven! I love that it’s so simple that my 3 y/o daughter could help with everything…..except I had trouble trying to stop her eating the dough!!!! lol
I enjoy both simple and difficult recipes. Usually, I feel more accomplished after successfully achieving a difficult recipe.
And I can be both silent and talkative. Silent when I do not know a person. talkative when I can trust a person.
Ahhh, the usual awkwardness with the partner’s mum. It’s so funny how she was so intrigued by your star sign! I’m sure she now feels better knowing that you have some amazing skills in the kitchen
How scrumptious is this cake? My eyes have already devoured it! In the earely days; when talking to my husband’s mother on the phone, he would take great delight in tickling me. Thankfully he grew out of that stage! While it is enjoyable and comforting to spend hours in the kitchen cooking whatever your heart fancies, there is a time and place for quick fare. Unfortunately, it is so much nicer and satisfying to cook complicated fare and I enjoy this! When the kids are graced with the rare sausages, mash and peas they are delighted as this is what so many of their friends have every night. We are so lucky, with internet access these day, that we can find almost any recipe we desire and create amazing dishes. This, is truly the stuff life is made of! Oh, and I talk and talk and talk, unless my companion(s) have the need to talk more than myself, in which case, I am an excellent listener. (I can even talk + cook + talk + cook + talk + cook …) Thanks to you and Tuulikki for this wholesome, one dish peach cake = enjoy your winter’s day Lorraine xx
I’ve always worried that my daughters in law would think of me as the typical mother in law that you might have nightmares about.
As for recipes, it all depends on my mood and how much time I have. And talkative? Not me.
Your little cake is absolutely lovely and perfect for an “I need something delicious but easy to make” occasion!
This looks scrumptious.
I love all recipes! though i am still trying to master the raymond blanc salted caramel choc fondant, it certainly is a challenge, and i can’t try it too often or i’ll start gaining weight instead of losing it!
My mil is a little like that on the phone too.
YUM! I love how rustic it looks. Pears are my second favourite fruit next to the ever fluctuating (in price) bananas lol
Loving the look of this cake, I love easy and simple baked goods when I feel lazy so this one definitely catches my eye. Recently I’ve been baking everything with pears in it, gotta love it!
Haha what a funny story! I’m the silent type. In fact just last week at work I was told that someone commented that I always go straight to the point on the phone. Ahem. I’m not good at prolonged or small talk
This cake looks so delicious, warming and just gorgeous really!
~~Lovoooely Cake. How the heck do you stay so trim, L? So Not Fair.
ps. ” “Yep” or “No” responses from Mr. NQN reminds me of my 2 boys…that is the sort of answers I get, too!!! Drives me Insane… At least girls will tell us stuff!!
It is my mums birthday next week… I think she would LOVE this!
I love really easy recipes, that make people THINK they’re really challenging and difficult because it tastes and looks amazing. I love those sorts of recipes!
The dough of that cake looks good enough to eat BEFORE baking hehe
I’m really in love with pears at the moment. This cake looks fabulous and I love its rustic homely appearance
lovely cake and I love hearing about your in-laws – they sound great and I am sure there would be no such thing as too wholemealy in that family – great that your mother in law went for your horoscope as a way to find out about you – what a creative woman!
Oh, this is precisely my kind of cake! Easy, vaguely nutty from wholemeal flour, easily eaten by one person in the space of a few days…
I love your reaction to the psychic. A friend did my tarot cars this year and I found it hilarious (didn’t show that) because, honestly, you could interpret the cards to fit pretty much *any* situation!
I am loving these one bowl recipes!!
Hi Lorraine love the recipe also love the teapot and sugar bowl
the cake looks fantastic! sounds like an easy recipe to make for an afternoon tea! love your story too..
I love an easy one bowl recipe – this looks great Lorraine. As for the rest I would certainly say I am the talkative type!
What an endearing portrait of your mother in law. She may be nosey but in a hippy way more than a busybody way! Great recipe.
Hi Three-Cookies-it is I promise! I have, I’ve written about it too
It’s a beautiful country!
Hi Rosa-thanks Rosa, I love this cake
Hi Maria-Thanks Maria! Hehe we joke about it to this day
She’s the most talkative Finn I’ve met!
Hi Xiaolu-Thank you! Yes it all helps right?
Thank you!
Hi Lisa-thanks Lisa!
Hi tania-Oh very good timing!
Aww I bet it is hard indeed! 
Hi Tina-Oh you are SO right!
Hi Alessandra-thank you! Hehe I think a high % of food bloggers have just got to be Taureans
yum they all sound delicious! Really? This is so easy! So Italians are more talkative than NZers? Well being a good listener is definitely a good thing to be 
Hi Jane-Thank you!
Hi jess-hehe maybe it’s a boy thing
Yes I like testing myself but not every time I think! 
Me too! 
Hi Dzintra-Aren’t they delicious and in season now too!
Oh cool! I’d love to know if it works out! 
How cool!
Hi Shellie-Thanks Shellie! It’s kind of like a crumble x
Hi Betty-It is so easy I promise!
Hi Esz-hehe me too!
Ohh yaaay! I’m so glad that you liked them! 
Hi Farrah-Thanks Farrah! I am too, they’re so good now. Corellas are my favourite followed by Beurre Bosc
Yes that’s true, sometimes if you’re with a talkative person you can’t talk that much! 
Hi bronnie-haha really!
that’s hilarious it sounds very similar indeed! Love how he ends off conversations too 
Hi Monica-Wonderful! I hope you like it!
Oh yes vanilla custard is perfect for it. And of course adds no calories! 
Hi Jaqi-Thank you!
Oh you know that’s the best way to put it I think and I think I’m the same 
Yes cookign is a good way to realign with yourself!
Hi Y-Oh cool! Well this might be in with a chance then!
Hi Julia-thanks Julia!
Yes aren’t these sorts of recipes great! We finished this so quickly I wish I had a slice right now 
Haha an equal opportunity baker! 
Hi Rebecca-Oh you poor thing! Thank you! We are just covered with leaves here
Haha really! What a tactic! 
Hi Debra-cool! Well then you might like this one hopefully!
Hi Maris-Thanks so much Maris!
Hi Celia-hehe well tuulikki woldn’t eat this as it has eggs and she doesn’t eat them
Hi Lucy-Me too!
yes that’s true, get me started on True Blood and it will be hard to shut me up! 
Hi Matilda-I agree totally Matilda!
It smells so buttery! Hehe done! 
I haven’t watched any of S3. I don’t watch much tv on the television anymore! But good luck to you and you’ll have to let us know how you go ok?
Hi Amanda-Oh cool! I hope they all like it!
Hi Linda-YAY and perfect way to serve it Linda!
Hehe fair enough totally!
Hi Christine-thanks so much Christine!
I hope you like it!
Hi EHA-Well it sounds like you’re a very sensible cook then!
Yes I like quiet time too, I suppose I wouldn’t work at home otherwise! 
Thank you!
Hi Sneh-Thank you Sneh!
Actually yo’re right, it is like a crumble 
I know, they’re not really talkers are they! That’s why I need my galpals! 
Hi Melissa-Thanks Melissa!
Yes it’s dead easy! 
Hehe me too! Nothing wrong with that right? 
Hi shirley-Thank you so much! I love recipes that seem like you went to a lot of trouble but you didn’t.
Hi Sian-Thanks Sian!
I hope you like it! Let us know what you think 
Hi Carolyn-Thanks! Oh yes nectarines are a great idea too!
Hi Phunk-You know you’re quite right there! Hehe and yes the less bowls the better!
Hehe you’re describing just how i had it!
Hi Cakelaw-Thanks Cakelaw!
Yes I suppose it’s like weekday vs weekend dinners 
Hi Anna-You’re very welcome!
Oh really? That’s interesting! Hehe cool! 
xxx
Hi Joumana-Thanks so much! Yes cupcakes would be adorable
Hi Joy-aren’t they great? They’re Corella pears-my favourite as they’re so sweet and crispy
Hi Obesebaby-Yes I love raw, crispy pears
Cool! I hope you like it!
Hi wen-YAY! I hope you like it! PLMK what you think if you make it
Hi The Food Mentalist-Hehe aren’t men funny creatures
Thank you! It’s so easy I promise 
Nice idea! Perhaps add some more sugar for the rhubarb?
Hi Anna-Thanks Anna!
I know, it could apply to most of us couldn’t it? I find there are loads of unnecessarily complicated recipes out there! Oh really? What a contrast like us 
Hi Heidi-hehe fair enough!
Thank you! xxx
Hi YaYa-I know, I hate washing up so I love one bowl recipes
Hi sophia-Hehe I’m not sure. She’s Finnish through and through
I know, I love two way conversations!
Hi FoodLover-Oh cool! How was it? And yes that’s right, kids could really help especially with the topping!
Hehe I know, it’s really tasty isn’t it! 
Hi Michelle-I definitely feel more accomplished if I finish a complicated recipe. but I also feel very happy after making an easy one
Hi Adrian-She’s obsessed with starsigns
Hehe well she’s not very interested in food!
Hi Merryn-thansk Merryn! Haha that’s very funny!
That’s very true, I love being able to find recipes and cooking ideas so quickly 
Wow you’re all round talented and a multi skiler! 
You too Merryn! xxx
Hi Betty-Oh I’m sure you’re not at all! I bet they can’t wait to bake with you!
Thank you!
Hi muppy-Thanks Muppy!
Oh that sounds hard! Good luck with that one! 
Hehe maybe it’s a MIL trait 
Hi Nic-Thanks Nic! I know, I wish bananas were a little cheaper nowadays!
Hi Phuoc-Thanks Phuoc! I know, they’re so plentiful and good nowadays!
Hi Chanel-Hehe thanks! Oh really? Hehe that’s very cute!
Thank you!
Hi kim-Thanks so much! It’s a constant battle!
I know, they don’t like to talk do they? 
Hi Kelley-excellent stuff! I hope she likes it!
Hi Apple-haha indeed! I agree!
Hhee it’s pretty good I have to admit 
Hi katie-Me too! they’re everywhere and they’re so good!
Thank you!
Hi Johanna-thanks Johanna!
Haha you’re right, there’s no such thing as too much wholemeal 
Yes she is!
Hi Hannah-thank you!
Absolutely, and nothing wrong with that at all! 
I know, it can be so general can’t it?
Hi Kay-thanks so much Kay!
Hi Pangalactic-Thanks so much!
I bought those ages ago but they’re my favourite set 
Hi Melissa-Thank you!
I agree, perfect for an afternoon cup of tea. thanks! 
Hi Gourmet Chick-Thanks so much
Me too! 
Hi Nuts about food-Thank you! She’s certainly a character as is her darling son
Yes I’m lucky with her!
hmmm… I like this recipe. Sometimes simple is good. And your MIL seems like a character
Oh wow, this looks good!
It’s currently 35+ in Toronto right now, but I’m seriously considering firing up my oven to make this tea cake.
Cherries are in season here right now, I’m thinking a cherry tea cake might just do the trick. But a pear cake is definitely in order for the fall!
xx
-BBC
Yum!
I am All About Easy & you can bet this recipe will be used when our weather cools off – presently 80F here with warmer coming – and my 2 pear trees start producing ripe fruit : 9
Easy, appealing, healthy as well. What’s not to love in this lovely recipe for a comforting, rustic dessert. I’ll be making this soon!
Oh yum!!! Looks more advanced than it is – love it!
I haven’t made a pear cake yet but I’m so going to try this one. I love fruit in cakes, made spiced apple cake last week and rhubarb cake today. yum yum!
Rustic is always so textured – like cobblestones – yum! Love your family-funnies…
Love this, I’m a huge fan of ‘easy’ baking – also it reminds me of crumble which I am also very fond of!
Yum NQN
MADE IT!! for dinner last night….substituted with apples….my all time fav. cake dessert. This is quick with maximum effect! Just delicious… Warmed the next day with coffee for morning tea…yeh!
Susie Q
Looks really yummy and easy to make – going to try it today!!
Thanks Lorraine.
This tea cake looks scrummy but I’m still smiling over the mother-in-law story. I have this image of a woman wearing a flowing purple scarf and dancing in the mud.
I’ll trade you my mother-in-law for yours.
Yum, I’m making this tonight! Love easy recipes
This looks delish! I’ve got it in the oven baking now and the kids can’t wait for dessert tonight
Thanks!
It’s almost pear season, here.I can’t resist this beauty! The way I look at desserts, well, the joy in viewing is always the powdered sugar. Gets to me every time.Does this make me a powder poofter?
Hi Amanda-Thank you!
hehe oh cool! Well I hope you like it, it’s really good IMHO 
Cherry sounds fantastic! xxx
Hi 2DogsFarm-hehe cool! Well enjoy! And can we please swap the weather?
Yay for fresh pears!
Hi Victoria-Wonderful! I’d love to know what you think of it!
Hi Hanna-Thanks! I love recipes like that
Hi VeggieSweetTooth-Oh cool! I hope you like it! Oh yes well then I think you might like this-sounds like a similar sort of cake
hi rose-haha you’re right, they’re like cobblestones exactly!
Thanks!
Hi Su-yin-Me too!
Yup it’s very crumble or cobbler-y! 
Hi Bex-Thanks!
Hi Susie-YAYY! So glad that you liked it! Isn’t it easy and tasty!
Thanks so much for letting us know how it went Susie! 
Hi Elaine-Wonderful! I’d love to know how it goes!
Hi Maureen-Thanks Maureen! Haha you’ve got her to a tee
Haha really!
Hi mashi-YAY Mashi! do let us know how you go!
Hi Mandi-Thank you Mandi!
Enjoy it and let us know what everyone thinks! 
Hi Linda-hehe I love that final sprinkle too!
I’m not sure what that is! 
Back again – the verdict from all was… “Delicious!” This was sooooooo good and it looks so pretty too. I can see it becoming my go-to recipe when friends are visiting. Thanks
From on Taurus to another.
From one foodie to another..
But the buck stops with a nice MIL
Love to chat…. Live to chat
Yummy cake!!
Xxxx
This looks SUBLIME! I love the dough on the top! Have a wonderful weekend, Lorraine!
I have to re-comment on this cake. D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!!! We had this last night with 4 granny smith apples whirled on the slinky. The whole cake was devoured, a few added whipped cream and i even had a piece, not particularly enjoying sweet things usually. The wholemeal definitely toned down the sweetness and the vanilla castor sugar topping helped it to crisp and added an extra element to this dish. Thank you xxx
I love easy recipes that taste fantastic, cause I know that I can whip them up easily for instant comfort.
the outside is so craggy yet the innards are so moist–nice cake indeed!
I made this, IT WAS FANTASTIC ! thankyou Lorraine – you are a legend ! it was so delicious, a bit like a shortcake and served it warm with very thick cream ! yum !
Oh that tea cake- I’ve put it on my ‘too bake’ list. Looks yum!
Hi Mandi-I’m so glad that everyone liked i!
YAY and I’m the same, if I know people are coming, they get this as it’s so easy! 
You’re very welcome!
Hi Gaille-hehe yay for Taureans!
Thanks very much Gaille! 
xxx
Hi Sue-thanks so much Sue! Hope you’re having a great one too!
Hi Merryn-Thank you Merryn! Oh you’re so right the wholemeal is vital to it isn’t it!
And you’re more than welcome! Thanks for letting us know what you thought of it! 
xxx
Hi Susan-Me too! I love having those as a standby
Hi grace-Haha craggy indeed!
Hi linda-ooh YAY!
Yes it is like a buttery shortcake indeed except with pear or apple instead of strawberries 
And good choice with the thick cream too!
Hi Spotted Pufferfish-fantastic! I hope that you like it!
I made this today and it was so easy. Thank you so much, it was delightful.
I do enjoy quick recipes when I’m short on time or not really in the mood for thinking too much but there’s nothing better than succeeding at a tough recipe.
i made this last friday for work and it very quickly disappeared! tasted fantastic!!!
Hi Nicole-That’s so wonderful! Thanks for reporting back! I love hearing back when people try recipes
Hi Claire-Hehe you know that’s very true! There’s more of a sense of accomplishment upon completing a difficult recipe
Hi Kiaraleigh-I’m so glad YAY! Thanks for letting us know Kiaraleigh!
Hi, I’m a South African food blogger and I tried this recipe but with apples and a couple of other changes (I only had 300g of apples but it was enough) The post got an excellent response and Himself and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the inspiration.
I made this over the weekend – two of them! when they were nearly finished baking in the oven I got the urge to make myself some tea and snuggled up on the couch to read a book, sipped my tea and dug into the wonderfully yummy pear cake. Thanks for sharing it with us
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