1

Place the pears, cloves, half the cinnamon and half the nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 12 minutes or until pears are tender. Remove pears from poaching liquid. Discard poaching liquid. Halve the pears lengthways. Trim bases if necessary (so they sit flat).

2

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 180°C, fan 160°C gas mark 4. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole muffin tins with paper cases.

3

Using electric beaters, beat spread, brown sugar, eggs, sifted flour, cocoa, bicarbonate soda, milk and remaining cinnamon and nutmeg on low speed for 1 minute or until just combined. Increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes or until thick and creamy.

4

Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture into each paper case. Place a pear half into each case. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into cakes comes out clean. Stand cakes in tins for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve dusted with extra cocoa.