Italian Pear Cake (Torta di Pere)

Posted on Aug 12th, 2026

by Diana Oana

Categories:

Italian home baking is all about turning a handful of everyday ingredients into something special, and this pear cake is a perfect example.

Made with yogurt, olive oil, and ripe pears, it bakes into a soft, tender cake with a delicate citrus aroma and just the right amount of sweetness. Elegant enough to serve guests yet easy enough for a weekday bake, it’s the kind of rustic dessert you’ll find in kitchens across Italy during pear season.

Italian Pear Cake (Torta di Pere)

Diana Oana

A simple Italian-style pear cake made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, and fresh pear slices. Light, moist, and delicately flavored with lemon and vanilla, it's perfect for breakfast, afternoon coffee, or a not-too-sweet dessert.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings servings

Ingredients

2 large eggs
150 g sugar about ¾ cup
125 g Greek yogurt about ½ cup
125 ml olive oil ½ cup
250 g all-purpose flour 2 cups + 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large pear
powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
Lightly grease a round baking pan (about 22–24 cm / 9–10 inches) with olive oil and line the base with parchment paper.
In a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes light and slightly foamy.
Add the Greek yogurt and olive oil and mix until well combined.
Stir in the lemon zest and vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, then gradually fold into the wet ingredients until a smooth batter forms.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level the surface.
Peel the pear if desired, remove the core, and slice into thin wedges. Arrange the slices concentrically over the batter.
Bake for about 45 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing.

Notes

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Diana Oana

As an award winning food blogger, I started my culinary journey in 2010, driven by a fervent commitment to crafting flavorful, tasty meals that defy the stereotype of bland health cuisine. I love to cook anything from appetizers to main courses and desserts from a wide range of cuisines as well as traditional Romanian dishes.