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Fresh Pear Bread Recipe

4.8 from 84 reviews

Fresh Pear Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread made with ripe pears, warm spices like ginger and nutmeg, and a tender crumb. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a delightful snack, this bread combines the natural sweetness of pears with a rich blend of vegetable oil and butter for a soft, tender loaf that stays fresh when wrapped and rested overnight.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups sifted flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs

Fruit

  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) pear halves, chopped; or 2 cups fresh pears, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two loaf pans measuring approximately 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches to prevent the bread from sticking during baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, baking soda, and ground nutmeg. Set this mixture aside to keep it well combined and aerated.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to beat sugar, vegetable oil, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition until the batter becomes light in color and starts to thicken.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently just until the flour is moistened. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
  5. Add Pears: Carefully fold in the chopped pears, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  6. Fill Loaf Pans and Bake: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
  7. Cool the Bread: Remove the pans from the oven and let the loaves cool for 10 minutes. Then, turn the loaves out onto a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.
  8. Rest Before Serving: Wrap each cooled loaf tightly in foil and let them stand overnight in a cool, dry place. This resting period allows flavors to meld and the texture to improve before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Using canned pears simplifies preparation but fresh pears offer a more vibrant flavor—just ensure they are ripe and peeled.
  • Sifting the flour and spices helps create a lighter, fluffier texture.
  • Resting the bread overnight enhances the flavor and moistness.
  • Store wrapped bread in an airtight container or foil at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • You can add nuts like walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch if desired.

Keywords: pear bread, quick bread, spiced bread, moist bread, fruit bread, ginger bread, nutmeg, homemade bread