Pear and Walnut Bread Recipe
This Pear and Walnut Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf filled with juicy pears, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy afternoon treat with tea, this bread combines seasonal fruit and wholesome ingredients for a deliciously satisfying bake.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe pears, peeled and diced (about 2 medium pears)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
Add-ins
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal later.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced pears, vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are fully incorporated and smooth.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg if using. This ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Combine the Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender and moist.
- Add the Nuts and Dried Fruit: Fold in the chopped walnuts and raisins or dried cranberries gently, so they are evenly spread throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents excess moisture buildup and keeps the crust crisp.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy your Pear and Walnut Bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with butter, cream cheese, or simply on its own.
Notes
- If you use very juicy pears, gently pat them dry to avoid a soggy batter.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- To make the recipe nut-free, simply omit the walnuts or replace with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
- For extra sweetness, add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the wet ingredients.
- Store the bread wrapped in foil or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- This bread freezes well—slice before freezing and thaw at room temperature when ready to eat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of loaf)
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: pear bread, walnut bread, spiced bread, moist bread, autumn bread, quick bread, homemade bread, spiced pear bread