Delicious Honey Pear Bread: A Sweet, Spiced Quick Bread for Any Time
There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked quick bread filling your home. These delightful loaves and muffins are more than just breakfast fare; they’re versatile treats perfect for an afternoon snack, a simple dessert, or even a grab-and-go option on a busy morning. This Honey Pear Bread recipe offers a sweet and subtly spiced experience, making it a true family favorite. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the delicate sweetness of pears, enhanced by the rich warmth of honey and a blend of aromatic spices.
My journey to this particular recipe began with a desire for a delicious quick bread, and I found inspiration in an original spiced pear bread recipe. However, like many home bakers, I often find myself adapting recipes based on what I have on hand or what my family prefers. In this instance, while I had a bounty of fresh pears, molasses was noticeably absent from my pantry. Rather than making an extra trip to the grocery store and potentially going over my budget, I opted for a simple, yet incredibly effective, substitution: honey.
This simple swap proved to be a stroke of culinary genius. Honey not only contributed a lovely, distinct sweetness but also imparted an appealing golden hue and moist texture to the bread. Furthermore, my family has a strong aversion to nuts in baked goods – a trait I’ve come to embrace as it simplifies my baking. So, the nuts were omitted entirely, resulting in a perfectly soft, tender, and universally appealing pear bread that everyone could enjoy without reservation. This adaptation truly made the recipe my own, and I’m thrilled to share this adjusted, delectable version with you.
Baking Adventures: From Loaves to Lessons Learned
One of the beauties of quick bread recipes is their versatility, allowing you to easily switch between loaves and muffins. This particular recipe yields two generous loaves, making it ideal for sharing or freezing. On my initial attempt, I decided to bake one loaf and then portion the remaining batter into 12 muffins. It seemed like a brilliant plan to have variety!
However, even experienced bakers have their moments. In a classic “ding-dong” move, I completely forgot about the muffins in the oven and left them in for far too long. The result, as you might guess, was a batch of unfortunately burnt muffins. A true “UGH!” moment, indeed. While the burnt muffins were a regrettable loss, the loaf turned out perfectly, showcasing the incredible potential of this recipe. It was a good reminder that even with simple recipes, timing is key!
Despite my muffin mishap, the success of the loaf solidified my love for this adapted recipe. The bread itself was incredibly moist, flavorful, and exactly what I had hoped for. It was so good, in fact, that I’m not even sure I would bother trying the original molasses version next time. The honey substitution truly shines and has earned its permanent place in my baking repertoire. This experience highlights the joy of experimenting in the kitchen and finding what works best for your taste and lifestyle.
Honey Pear Bread
adapted from Spiced Pear Bread
Honey Pear Bread
2 votes
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Amanda Davis
Ingredients
-
3 ½
cups
unbleached all purpose flour -
1
teaspoon
baking powder -
1
teaspoon
baking soda -
1
teaspoon
salt -
1 ½
teaspoon
cinnamon -
1
teaspoon
ground ginger -
1
teaspoon
ground nutmeg -
½
teaspoon
ground cloves -
2
cups
packed light brown sugar -
1
cup
canola oil -
½
cup
honey -
2
teaspoons
pure vanilla extract -
4
eggs -
4
medium pears
peeled, cored and diced
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two loaf pans.
-
In a bowl, whisk together the first eight ingredients. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, canola oil, honey, and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in flour mixture. Fold in diced pears.
-
Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until done. Cool in pans for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Ingredient Spotlight: Pears, Honey, and Spices
Let’s dive a little deeper into the key ingredients that make this Honey Pear Bread so special. The foundation of any great quick bread lies in a well-balanced mix of dry and wet ingredients, and this recipe is no exception. We start with unbleached all-purpose flour, which provides the structure, combined with baking powder and baking soda to give the bread its lovely lift and tender crumb. A touch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
The true magic, however, comes from the aromatic spices: cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. This blend creates a warm, inviting flavor profile that perfectly complements the sweetness of the pears and honey. These spices are reminiscent of autumn baking, but they are equally delightful any time of year, transforming a simple bread into something truly special.
For the wet ingredients, light brown sugar contributes to a rich, moist texture and a hint of caramel. Canola oil keeps the bread wonderfully moist without adding an overpowering flavor, and four eggs bind everything together, ensuring a consistent and tender crumb. And of course, the star of our show, honey! Choosing honey over molasses was not just a matter of convenience but a deliberate choice that imparted a lighter, brighter sweetness, allowing the natural pear flavor to shine through beautifully. Any good quality honey will work, from clover to wildflower, each adding its own subtle nuance to the final taste.
Choosing and Preparing Your Pears
The pears are, naturally, essential to this Honey Pear Bread. For best results, choose medium-sized pears that are ripe but still firm. Varieties like Bartlett, Bosc, or Anjou are excellent choices for baking as they hold their shape well and offer a balanced sweetness. Avoid pears that are overly soft or mushy, as they might break down too much during baking, potentially making your bread too wet.
Peeling, coring, and dicing the pears properly ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter and cook consistently. Aim for pieces that are roughly ½-inch to ¾-inch in size – small enough to integrate into the batter but large enough to provide distinct bursts of pear flavor and texture. This step is crucial for achieving that delightful balance of tender bread and soft, fruity pockets.
Tips for Perfect Pear Bread Every Time
Even with a simple recipe, a few extra tips can elevate your baking from good to absolutely fantastic. Achieving the perfect quick bread is all about attention to detail, especially when it comes to preparation and baking technique. Here are some insights to help you bake the best Honey Pear Bread:
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is moistened. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense bread. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly acceptable!
- Grease and Flour Properly: This crucial step prevents your loaves from sticking. Ensure your loaf pans are thoroughly greased and dusted with flour, tapping out any excess. This creates a non-stick barrier that ensures easy removal and a beautiful crust.
- The Toothpick Test: To check for doneness, insert a wooden toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, your bread is ready. If it comes out with wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes and test again.
- Cooling is Key: Don’t rush the cooling process! Allowing the bread to cool in the pans for 15 minutes helps it firm up before you transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the loaf from breaking apart and ensures a better texture. Cooling completely on a rack allows air circulation, preventing condensation and a soggy bottom.
- Muffin Adaptations: If you decide to make muffins, as I did (with a learning curve!), adjust the baking time significantly. Muffins typically bake for 20-25 minutes at 375°F (190°C), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep a close eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary!
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Once your Honey Pear Bread has cooled completely, store it at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can slice the cooled bread and freeze individual slices (or whole loaves) for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen slices at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave or oven for a fresh-baked taste.
This versatile quick bread is wonderful on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. Enjoy a slice for breakfast with a dollop of butter or cream cheese, or serve it as a delightful afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee. It makes a fantastic addition to a brunch spread or a light dessert, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of indulgence.
Consider sprinkling a little coarse sugar or a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the batter before baking for a lovely sweet crunch. You could also experiment with adding a touch of lemon zest to the batter for a brighter flavor, or a handful of dried cranberries for added chewiness and tartness (if nuts aren’t an issue for your family, toasted pecans or walnuts would also be a classic addition). The possibilities are endless for customizing this already fantastic recipe!
This Honey Pear Bread truly embodies the spirit of comforting home baking. It’s a forgiving recipe that allows for personal touches, resulting in a moist, flavorful quick bread that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat, its warm spices and sweet pear notes make it an irresistible choice.
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