Pear and Walnut Bread Recipe
This Pear and Walnut Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread filled with sweet diced pears and crunchy walnuts, complemented by warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy teatime treat, it offers a delightful balance of texture and taste with optional dried fruit additions for extra richness.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread, Quick Bread, Snack
- 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 even baking.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced ripe pears, vegetable oil (or melted butter), brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated, forming a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- 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 step ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed for consistent flavor and rise.
- Combine the Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently and just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and fluffy rather than dense.
- Add the Nuts and Dried Fruit: Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and the optional raisins or dried cranberries. This adds texture and bursts of flavor throughout the bread.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling prevents sogginess and allows the flavors to set.
- Serve: Slice and serve the Pear and Walnut Bread warm or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own or with a bit of butter spread on top for extra richness.
Notes
- Be sure to use ripe pears for the best flavor and moisture.
- If oats or flaxseeds are desired, they can be added for extra texture.
- Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts and add extra dried fruit or seeds.
- Optional spices like ground ginger or allspice can be added to customize the flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 60g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: pear bread, walnut bread, quick bread, easy bread recipe, fall baking, fruit bread, moist bread, spiced bread