Gingerbread puddings with poached pears and golden syrup

Place the water, sugar and lemon rind in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Add the pears. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the pears are just tender. Set aside to cool. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pears from the pan. Pat dry with paper towel.

Preheat oven to 170°C. Brush six 300ml-capacity oven-proof dishes with melted butter to grease. Use an electric beater to beat the butter, golden syrup and extra sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift the combined flour, ginger and cloves into a bowl. Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the egg mixture, in batches, and stir until combined. Divide among the prepared dishes. Smooth the surfaces. Press a pear into the centre of each dish.

Place the dishes on a large baking tray. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into puddings comes out clean. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly.

Dust with icing sugar and drizzle over extra golden syrup to serve.