For the bottom of the pan:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

4 pears, peeled, cored, quartered, and poached in syrup.  Optional to reserve 1/2 pear and cut into a fan for the center of the cake.

 

Cake batter:

1 cup boiling water

1/2 cup Dutch process unsweetened cocoa

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon of bakin soda

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract