Warm up with this easy pear pudding cake—a self-saucing dessert with tender pears, fluffy cake, and gooey brown sugar sauce in every bite.
Lightly grease a deep 8x8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Using a rubber spatula, mix the melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract into the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in the diced pears. Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl or mug, combine the hot water and brown sugar. Pour the mixture evenly all over the batter. Do not stir.
Bake the cake until the top is set, 55 to 58 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly and set further for 15 minutes.
Dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar, if desired. Scoop out each serving with a large spoon, flipping it over as you transfer it to a bowl or plate so the pudding layer is on top, and serve warm. Store leftover cake covered or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the cake in the oven at 300°F or reheat each serving for 20 seconds in the microwave. Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!