Sticky Pear Pudding

Directions

1. 1
   Set oven to 180°C.
2. 2
   With butter grease a 1.25-1.5 litre ovenproof dish, and arrange the pear halves, cut side up, in the dish.
3. 3
   Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl, stir in the sugar.
4. 4
   Beat the egg into the milk, then beat egg mixture into the butter.
5. 5
   Pour batter into the dry ingredients and whisk well with beater until smooth then pour batter over the pears and set aside.
6. 6
   To make the sticky topping: Put the brown sugar and syrup into a small saucepan with 175ml cold water.
7. 7
   Warm through over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves then
8. 8
   increase the heat and bring to the boil without stirring. Take off the heat and immediately pour the sauce over the unbaked pudding.
9. 9
   Sit buttered ovenproof dish in a baking tray half filled with water and bake for 45 minutes until the sponge is golden and sticky on top.
10. 10
    Leave for 5 minutes before serving with cream.