Pear & chocolate cake (Torta di pera e cioccolato)

Name: Pear & chocolate cake (Torta di pera e cioccolato)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Ingredients: 50 g (1¾ oz) sugar; 2 pears, peeled, cored and cut into eighths lengthways; 150 g (5½ oz) dark chocolate; 90 g (3 oz) unsalted butter, cubed; 90 g (3 oz) caster (superfine) sugar; 90 g (3 oz) almond meal; 3 eggs, separated; 1 teaspoon cocoa powder for dusting; icing (confectioners’) sugar for dusting (optional)