Chocolate & Pear Brownie Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter an 8-inch round cake pan and line with parchment or waxed (greaseproof) paper.

Mix together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa, vanilla, and flour. Stir in the chocolate and chopped walnuts, mixing well.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Arrange the pears, cut sides down, on top of the mixture. Place the walnut halves between the pears, if using. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack before turning out and serving. This cake can be served warm or cold.