Chocolate-Pear Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Coat 2-quart slow cooker with cooking spray, and arrange pear halves on bottom.
2. 2
   Sift flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into large bowl.
3. 3
   Whisk together cocoa powder, vinegar, 1/4 cup reserved pear syrup, remaining 2 Tbs.
4. 4
   brown sugar, and 1/2 cup water in glass measuring cup.
5. 5
   Add margarine, and heat in microwave on high power 3 minutes, or until boiling.
6. 6
   Whisk until smooth, then stir cocoa mixture into flour mixture.
7. 7
   Stir in vanilla extract.
8. 8
   Spread batter over pears, and cook in slow cooker on low 4 to 6 hours.
9. 9
   Remove lid, and cool 15 minutes.
10. 10
    To serve: Scoop out cake, and set on plate with pears on top.