Chocolate Pear Pudding

Serves 4

Ingredients
125g butter, melted
200g castor sugar
3 large free-range eggs
180g plain flour
75g cocoa powder
1t baking powder
70ml milk
4 ripe pears (e.g. Conference)

Method
1.  Pre-heat the oven to 170°C / gas 3.
2.  Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until smooth.
3.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well.
4.  Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder together over the mixture and beat well with a wooden spoon.
5.  Add the milk, stirring until smooth.
6.  Spoon the mixture into a lightly buttered 30 x 20cm pie dish or gratin dish and spread evenly.
7.  Peel the pears and cut a 1cm slice from the base of each one so they will stand upright.  Push them firmly into the mixture.
8.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the pudding has puffed up around the pears and set at the edges, but is still a bit gooey in the centre.
9.  Serve with cream or crème fraîche.