Easy Pear Loaf Cake

A quick and easy loaf cake to throw together on a whim! Serve it on its own with a cup of tea, or warm with a little ice cream.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 1 hour

• 200g (7oz) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing

• 100g (4oz) caster sugar

• 100g (4oz) soft dark brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 200g (7oz) self-raising flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 2 pears, peeled, cored and roughly chopped

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 (¾in) above the top of the tin.

2. Using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugars together until pale, then gradually stir in the eggs and vanilla extract.

3. Fold in the flour, baking powder, ginger and a pinch of salt into the mix, then stir through the pears.

4. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin, smooth the surface, then bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin.