Ginger Pear Bread

This recipe I have made several times for other people and have received many compliments. Its especially when the market and grocery store has an abundance of pears (in season) but you can obviously make it whenever you want. It has been enjoyed year round.  If you have ever heard of Taste of Home, I actually sent the recipe it in and got it published into one of their magazines. I have been a Taste of Home fan for many years and if you are not familiar I recommend you at least give it a look. As I have mentioned, I rarely follow a recipe exactly because I like to make it my own, but I get a lot of inspiration from their magazines, books, and website. I will post a link to the recipe here that has now been published by Taste of Home but it happens to be a member exclusive recipe and you need to be registered. So in that case, the recipe is also below. It makes two loaves but freezes quite nicely.

Picture from Taste of Home

Ginger Pear Bread(link)

4 Medium pears, peeled and chopped

1 tsp Lemon Juice (or other citrus juice to keep from over browning)

1 1/2 Cups all purpose flour

1 Cup whole wheat flour

1 Cup white sugar

1/4 Cup packed brown sugar

2 tsp Baking powder

1 tsp Baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp Ground ginger

1 tsp Ground cinnamon

3 Eggs

3/4 Cup canola oil

1 tsp Vanilla extract

Extra brown sugar for topping

1. Gently toss the pears with lemon juice and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flours, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.

3. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry just until moistened; fold in pears. The batter will be quite stiff and at first you might think you did something wrong. Just make sure all is combined. It may take some muscle :)

4. Coat two 8-in x 4-in baking pans (loaf pans) and transfer the batter evenly into each. Sprinkle with a bit of brown sugar and bake (at 350°) for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for about 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.