Spiced Pear & Chocolate Cake

For the poached pears:

• 4 medium pears, peeled
• 100g granulated sugar
• 2 chai tea bags
• Water

For the chocolate cake:

• 115g butter
• 200g soft light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 75ml buttermilk
• 160ml milk
• 200g plain flour
• 50g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

1. 1. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment
2. 2. Begin by poaching the pears, place the pears, sugar & chai tea bags into a large saucepan & pour in enough water to cover the pears
3. 3. Bring the saucepan to a boils then reduce to a medium temperature & simmer for 20 minutes or until the pears are soft enough to be pierced easily
4. 4. Carefully remove the pears from the liquid & set aside to drain & cool
5. 5. To make the cake, begin by beating together the butter & sugar in a large bowl until light & fluffy
6. 6. Next, add the eggs to the bowl one at a time, beating with each addition
7. 7. In a separate bowl or jug, whisk together the buttermilk & milk until smooth
8. 8. Pour half of the milk mixture into the bowl & beat to combine
9. 9. Place a sieve over the bowl & sift in the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate, salt & spices then beat until well combined
10. 10. Finally, add the remaining milk mixture to the bowl & beat everything together until smooth
11. 11. Next, pour half of the cake batter into the prepared loaf tin
12. 12. Taking one at a time, place the pears into the tin, using the batter to hold them in place
13. 13. Carefully pour the remaining cake batter around the pears (they will stick out a little on top)
14. 14. Bake the cake at 180C for 50 - 55 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the thickest part of cake comes out cleanly
15. 15. Leave the cake to cool in its tin before removing & slicing