A delicious chocolate cake with a fruity twist that’s ready in less than 15 minutes. Baking in the microwave is quick, it’s easy, and it doesn’t mean you’re compromising on quality.

Ingredients

• 250 ml (1 C) castor sugar
• 315 ml (1¼ C) cake flour
• 45 ml (3 T) cocoa powder
• 15 ml (1 T) baking powder
• 5 ml (1 t) ground cinnamon
• 80 ml sunflower oil
• 2 large eggs
• 5 ml (1 t) vanilla essence
• 125 ml (½ C) hot water
• 1 x 410 g can Rhodes Quality Pear Halves in Syrup, drained and sliced
• to decorate: chocolate ganache or chocolate icing

Method

1. Mix the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk the oil, eggs, vanilla essence and hot water until well combined.
3. Add the liquid slowly to the dry ingredients, whisking continuously into a lump-free batter.
4. Arrange the sliced Rhodes Quality Pear Halves on the bottom of a microwave-safe cake pan.
5. Pour the batter over the pears, tapping the pan gently to remove any air bubbles.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on full power for 7 minutes.
7. Remove the cake from the microwave and allow to stand for 5 minutes in the pan.
8. Then remove the plastic wrap and turn out onto a cooling rack.
9. Allow to cool completely before decorating with chocolate ganache or icing.