Mary Berry’s Pear Pudding is a traditional British dessert featuring poached or fresh pears baked under a soft sponge topping. The sweetness of the pears complements the buttery sponge, creating a delightful balance of flavors. It’s often served warm with cream, custard, or ice cream.
Step 1: Prepare the pears.
Peel, core, and halve the pears. Place them in a saucepan with the granulated sugar, lemon juice, and water. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the pears are just tender. Remove from heat and transfer the pears to a greased baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
Step 2: Preheat the oven.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F.
Step 3: Make the sponge topping.
In a mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, caster sugar, softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Spread the sponge mixture.
Using a spatula, carefully spread the sponge mixture over the pears, ensuring they are evenly covered.
Step 5: Bake the pudding.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sponge is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Serve the pudding.
Dust the pudding with icing sugar, if desired, and serve warm with cream, custard, or vanilla ice cream.
Find it online: https://britishrecipeshub.co.uk/mary-berry-pear-pudding/