Pear Cake with Chocolate Topping

INGREDIENTS

175g/6oz unsalted butter, softened, or baking margarine

175g/6oz self-raising flour, sieved

175g/6oz golden caster sugar

3 eggs, beaten

50g/2oz plain chocolate

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 large ripe pears, peeled, cored and chopped

Icing sugar to decorate (optional)

If you want a chocolatey sponge swap 1 tbsp flour for 1 tbsp cocoa powder.

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 160C, 325F, Gas 3.

Grease and line a standard 2lb loaf tin.

Cream together the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Gradually beat in the eggs.

Stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pears until well combined.

Sieve in the flour and carefully fold into the mixture.

Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface.

Bake in the centre of the preheated oven for about an hour until firm to the touch. Test by inserting a metal skewer into the middle of the cake, it should come out clean.

Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes and then, using a knife to loosen the sides, carefully turn out onto a cooling rack.

For the topping

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.

Drizzle the chocolate over the cooled cake.

When the chocolate is set sieve a little icing sugar over the top (optional).

Serve or store in an airtight container.

Try serving with custard to make a delicious dessert.

I have made this cake many times, it is extremely popular in my family, you really can't go wrong with it!

Have you tried this recipe? If so, I would love to hear about it!

Have you tried this recipe?
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