Pears:

1. Place the water, sugar and vanilla seeds in a saucepan on medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved
2. Add the pear halves and poach the pear halves – until just soft
3. Drain and cool completely

Pastry:

1. Sieve together the flour, icing sugar and cacao. Rub the butter into the flour mixture
2. Add the First Choice Velvet and cut it into the flour with a knife to make a soft dough (OR use your food processor to make the dough)
3. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes
4. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to about 3 mm thick
5. Line 8 small, loose-bottomed greased pie dishes with the pastry OR one medium-sized pie dish
6. Preheat the oven to 180 °C

Filling:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition
2. Add the almonds, flour, cacao and FIRST CHOICE CHOCOLATE VELVET and mix in gently to make the filling. Divide the filling evenly between the pastry-lined pie dishes and spread it lightly
3. Arrange the poached pear halves on the filling. (Pears halves can be cored and cut into fan shape)
4. Bake for 10 minutes and then lower the oven temperature to 170 °C and bake for another 5 minutes until cooked
5. Cool completely and dust with cacao or chocolate shaving. Serve with First Choice Chocolate Velvet for a delicious dessert or treat