Spiced Pear Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 180C (160C fan forced).
2. 2
   Grease and line a 30cm x 30cm (base measurement) slice pan with baking paper, extending paper at long sides for handles.
3. 3
   Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in a small bowl until pale and creamed and then beat in eggs, one by one, until combined.
4. 4
   Stir in golden syrup, then transfer mixture to a large bowl and sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice over butter mixture and add 1/4 cup hot water, stirring until just combined and then spread mixture into prepared pan, smooth surface.
5. 5
   Peel, core and quarter pears and slice thinly and then arrange pear, overlapping slightly, over cake mixture in pan and then bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted at centre comes out clean.
6. 6
   Remove cake from oven, then stand in pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. 7
   Dust with icing sugar and serve with custard.