Pear & Almond Sponge

A home made dessert is a real treat- my mother used to make  this simple fruit sponge using bottles of preserved pears through out the winter.

Ingredients

​6 large pears, peeled
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup water

Sponge
½ cup golden syrup
1 egg
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup ground almonds
2 tablespoons butter/macadamia oil 
oil spray, to grease
¼ cup sliced almonds

Method

Step 1
Preheat oven to 180ºC. Cut pears in quarters and remove pips. Place fruit in a saucepan, sprinkle over sugar and add water. Cover, bring to the boil then simmer for 5 minutes. Keep covered and hot.

Step 2
To make sponge, in a mixing bowl place golden syrup and egg. Beat or whisk until fluffy.

Step 3
In a separate bowl sift together flour and baking powder. Stir in almonds then fold dry ingredients into egg mixture. Gently stir in butter or oil.

Step 4
Pour hot fruit (and only half the cooking liquid) into a greased 6-cup-capacity baking dish. Pour sponge over the top and scatter over almonds.

Bake for 20 minutes. Serving suggestion; Serve with a little custard sauce.

Hands-on time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 8
​Credit: Healthy Food Guide Magazine 
Photography: Carolyn Robertson
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Tip: Any fruit can be substituted for pear. Add ½ teaspoon of ginger or spice to the dry ingredients if you prefer.