Autumn is the perfect time of year for baking, but instead of featuring apples, this delicious bread makes pears the star of the show. Pears are sweet and succulent and contain pectin, which is a type of fiber that nourishes good gut bacteria, pears also contains the antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K and the mineral copper.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 stick of butter, (1/2 cup) softened, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs
¼ cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ½ cups peeled, finely chopped, ripe Bosc pears
1 cup chopped pecans, optional
Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients, flour through nutmeg, stir until combined. Add softened butter with a pastry blender or fork and mix into dry ingredients until it resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, combine eggs milk and vanilla extract and pour into dry ingredients. Fold in chopped pears and pecans, if using.
Pour mixture into two small loaf pans, each about 5 inches long, that have been coated with non-stick spray. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool in loaf pans before removing.
Content Submitted by Janyce Gately MS RD LDN CHWC / Registered Dietitian and Health and Wellness Coach