As Bosc pears ripen the texture is as soft as a ripe banana, so I got the idea of making my banana bread recipe with chunks of pear. I added a bit of homemade granola, instead of the toasted coconut I usually put in the banana bread. It is essentially the same recipe, but the result is completely and wonderfully different, with a sweet spice flavor. Note: The trick to this recipe is using the pears when they are very ripe. This means they are at their sweetest and will breakdown when baking.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 2 hr 5 min |
| Active: | 20 min |
| Yield: | 1 loaf |
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing
- 2 cups (spoon and sweep) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granola
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 ripe pears, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1 cup toasted nuts (optional)
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon pear brandy (or rum)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Making the bread: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granola, baking powder, sugar, salt, and spices.
- Cream together the butter and brown sugar, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each one. Alternate adding the flour and milk, in 3 additions, mixing just to incorporate after each addition. Fold in the pears and nuts, if using.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
- Remove from pan and cool to room temperature.
- Make the icing: In a small bowl combine all the ingredients until smooth.
- Spread over the top of the cooled bread.
- Enjoy. Makes a great breakfast.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 16 servings |
| Calories | 320 |
| Total Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 23 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Cholesterol | 44 mg |
| Sodium | 170 mg |