Chocolate and Spiced Pear Pudding
Photography by Manja Wachsmuth.
There isn’t a lot to say about this pudding other than grab your spoon and dig in!
Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS
4 large firm but ripe pears
¼ cup caster sugar
¼ teaspoon ground mixed spice
juice 1 lemon
Sponge
150 grams butter, very soft but not melted
2/3 cup caster sugar
1 cup plain flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
8 cup-capacity baking dish
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Peel, halve and core the pears. Cut each half into 4–5 wedges and place in the baking dish with all the remaining ingredients. Toss to coat the pears in the sugary mixture. Bake until the pears are tender but not falling apart, stirring occasionally.
Sponge: Place all the ingredients except the almonds in a food processor. Process briefly to form a soft batter.
Remove the pears from the oven and dollop the batter over the pears, spreading evenly. Scatter with the almonds and bake for about 18 minutes or until the top is just firm to the touch. It’s better to under-bake the pudding a little so it remains soft and luscious, rather than over-baking and making it dry.
Dust with icing sugar and serve with cream, ice cream or custard.
latest issue:
Issue #114
Autumn has arrived, and with it, the latest issue of dish, jam-packed with recipes that will have you fizzing to get in the kitchen! With a long Easter lunch featuring perfectly pink, blushing roast leg of lamb and wildly decadent baked mashed potatoes with caramelised onions, to simply scrumptious chocolate treats and sensational seasonal baking this issue has you covered - we reckon the Hot Cross Buns are our best yet! Salads make way for soothing soups, pies, puddings and our cover star beef cheek ragù with spaghetti – a must-make dinner for family and friends. With over 60 recipes in our latest issue there’s plenty of inspiration to keep you busy – and well-fed! Don’t forget to share your dish dishes with our Facebook community.