Chocolate Self-Saucing Pudding with Pears

Although I am excited that spring is here and summer is around the corner - it also means the end of winter puddings. Boo. I LOVE puddings. Its the englishness in me. Bread and butter pudding, sticky date - all those make me weak at the knees and I'm only too happy to curl up with a bowl full of sweetness.

But there are a few more cold nights on the cards so here's a hearty, chocolately dessert that will not only warm you up and fill you up but use up the last of the winter pears. Handy.

Recipe:
Pudding
 2 pears - peeled and sliced
100g butter
3/4 brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 1/2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Sauce
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon cornflour

Preheat oven to 180deg C. Grease ovenproof dish and line with sliced pear.

Cream butter, add sugar, egg and vanilla.

Fold in mixed flour, baking powder and cocoa. When mixed place in dish over the pear - spread evenly.

Mix the second amount of sugar with the cocoa and cornflour and sprinkle evenly over the top. Using the underside of a large spoon, pour the boiling water over the top.

Place in oven and bake for 35mins.

When baked, dust with icing sugar and serve. Eat while hot!