Preheat oven to 180°C
Simmer dates, boiling water and baking soda in saucepan over low heat until soft
Remove from heat and add butter, stir until melted
Add sugar and egg, stir until combined
Add flour, grated ginger, and baking powder, gently stir until combined
Pour into lined cake tin and arrange sliced pears on top
Bake for 40 minutes at 170°C
When cake is 5 minutes from being cooked, make the coconut topping by adding shredded coconut, brown sugar, milk and butter to a saucepan over low heat until melted and combined
Remove cake from oven and spread coconut topping evenly on top
Return to oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown
