Cinnamon Poached Pear Cakes

Poached Pears:

Place the pears, sugar, spices and water in a large saucepan. Cover and simmer over a low heat for 20 minutes, or until the pears are just tender. Remove from the liquid and cool.

Cakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Using a large mixing bowl place the superfine sugar, butter, vanilla, cream, egg yolks, ground almond, flour, and baking powder in the bowl and using an electric mixer, beat until smooth. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the batter and fold until combined.
2. Spoon the batter into your 1.5 cup ramekins until halfway full. Top with a poached pear and press down until the pear touches the base and the bottom third is submerged. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the filling has firmed up and coloured. Remove and cool.