Pear & ginger loaf cake

• unsalted butter↗200g g

  plus extra for greasing

• caster sugar↗100g g
• soft brown sugar↗100g g
• large eggs↗2

  beaten

• vanilla extract↗1 tsp tsp
• self-raising flour↗200g g
• baking powder↗1 tsp tsp
• balls stem ginger2

  in syrup, drained and chopped

• pears↗2

  peeled, cored and roughly chopped

• syrup3 tbsp tbsp

  from the ginger jar

• granulated sugar↗3 tbsp tbsp

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line the base and sides of a 900g/2lb loaf tin with baking parchment, ensuring the parchment comes 2cm above the top of the tin. Beat the butter and sugars together until pale, then gradually stir in the eggs and vanilla extract. Fold the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into the mix, then quickly stir through the stem ginger and pears. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin, smooth the surface, then bake for 1 hr - 1 hr 10 mins or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin.

2. 2

   To make the glaze, mix the syrup with 1 tsp water and the sugar. Poke the surface of the loaf all over with a skewer, then pour on the syrup. Serve warm with cream, or allow to cool completely.