Last week, I had to skip my weekly #365dairyfree challenge update to give another dairy-free challenge some face time. But, I’m making up for it with a two-week progress update today and this lovely new spiced pear breakfast bread recipe from my kitchen.
I’ve never been one to love super-sweet quick breads. I mean, they taste great, but they leave me feeling over-sugared; not the best thing since I prefer enjoying bread in the morning with tea. Instead, I usually bake lightly sweet, whole grain quick breads and top them with nut butter for a hearty start that’s just indulgent enough.
The idea to make a pear breakfast bread wasn’t exactly a stretch of the imagination – pears seem to be abundant and on sale all over town (even organic!). I always think of pears as an autumn fruit, but it turns out their peak lasts right through the cold spells of winter. That said, if you simply can’t find any that are ripe for the picking, this recipe will also work with your favorite sweet apples.
I’ve been enjoying each slice of this pear breakfast bread with a slather of almond butter and a big mug of tea, but if you prefer, it also goes great with a schmeer of buttery spread or a drizzle of your favorite sweet topper.
365 Dairy-Free Recipe Challenge Update
This Spiced Pear Breakfast Bread is a success from my personal 365 New Dairy-Free Recipe Challenge for 2016. My goal is to trial at least 365 new-to-me recipes this year, and that doesn’t even count all of the retesting I am doing to perfect many of those dishes. I’ll be using the hashtag #365dairyfree here and on social media to share many of the trials, successes and flops!
My New Dairy-Free Recipe Trials for January 14th through 27th:
- Tigernut Milk (I tested multiple varieties to find the best ingredients to use; nailed it!)
- Italian Rice & Sausage Skillet – (Another winner after a couple of trials; recipe to come)
- Tigernut Granola (I used the tigernut pulp to make this delicious maple granola – just one more trial needed!)
- Amish Chicken (holy richness! A fun one that I’m perfecting)
- PB Apple Breakfast Cookies (super tasty, but wow, these do not keep – super-soft and fall apart)
- Thai Marinated Chicken (a delicious surprise success; I think just one more test is needed)
- Spiced Maple Pear Bread (which became this Spiced Pear Breakfast Bread recipe after trials!)
- Cherry Blossom Protein Power Smoothie (good, but this might become ice cream)
- Creamy Miso Dressing (yummy, but have to punch up a bit for salads)
- One-Pot Greek Meatballs with Lemon Rice (adapted from Dinner at the Zoo – turned out great! Will be trialing again)
I didn’t quite reach my one per day (mostly due to all of the re-testing I was doing), but I’m still well on track with my overall goals and this sure looks like success to me …
For a more elongated shape with petite slices, I used my Revol Les Naturels Loaf Pan (pictured above and As Seen in Williams-Sonoma) to test this pear breakfast bread. It’s longer and narrower, but is roughly equivalent to an 8×4-inch loaf pan. I prefer this high quality ceramic for baking, but it does retain heat longer once removed from the oven, so the loaf will continue to cook a touch until it is flipped out of the pan.
Special Diet Notes: Spiced Pear Breakfast Bread
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and vegetarian. I’ve not yet tested it gluten-free. If I did, I would use either just oat flour or a whole grain gluten-free blend, and I might add either another egg or some xanthan gum (perhaps 1/2 teaspoon) for binding. Tony isn’t big on pears, so I wasn’t inclined to test a gluten-free version this time around!
For vegan pear breakfast bread, you can swap in your favorite egg sub for muffins. Since this recipe is heavy on puree, I would lean toward a powdered egg replacer, but I think a flax egg, chia egg, or simply just 2 to 3 tablespoons more pear puree should work well.
- 1 cup white-wheat flour*
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (high altitude: reduce to ¾ teaspoon at 4000 feet or higher)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (high altitude: reduce to ¼ teaspoon at 4000 feet or higher)
- ⅜ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ cup rice bran oil (or your favorite baking oil)
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey**
- 1 egg (see post above for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pear purée (about 2 medium pears, peeled, cored and pureed in your blender)
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
- Grease an 8x4-inch or 9.5x3.5-inch loaf pan (I use this one), and flour the bottom.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, and cloves.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the oil, liquid sweetener, egg, and vanilla until just combined. Stir in the pear followed by the flour mixture. Stir just until combined; do not over mix (a few little lumps are okay).
- Spoon the batter into your prepared loaf pan and even out.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes (I'm at 4500 feet / dry climate and 50 minutes is spot on), or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes or until cool enough to pick up. Gently remove the loaf from the pan and cool it completely on a wire rack before slicing. Tightly wrap and store any leftovers at room temperature for up to 2 days, but chill in the refrigerator or freezer if you want it to keep longer.
**Tip: Measure out the oil first in a ¼ cup then use that ¼ cup to measure the liquid sweetener - it will slide right out!
19 Comments
Pingback: Strawberry Banana Bread with Crumb Topping Recipe (Dairy-Free!)
Pingback: 22 Dairy-Free Maple Syrup Recipes with a Healthy Twist
Ooh this looks like such a cozy way to start the day!
Pingback: 100% Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Rolls Recipe
Looks moist, tender, and tasty. I love fruit-based quick breads. Great with tea in the morning.
That’s exactly how I’ve been loving it Susan!
The texture of this bread looks so spot on. You can tell that it is moist and delicious. I just want to dive in! Basically, I want to dive in to anything pear, it’s one of my favorite fruits. 🙂
Looks absolutely delicious! I used to make bread each week as a snack or for breakfast but got out of the habit. Time to get back to it!
Definitely is! So perfect with nut butter in the morning.
You know what maybe if I set myself a challenge like that I would actually get in the kitchen and make more of the recipes I keep thinking about…ok you’ve got me inspired. This bread looks so moist, I may have to put it on the list!!
You are the challenge queen Amanda, so I bet it would work! You can probably appreciate the spreadsheet I have on the go 🙂
This bread looks PERFECT! And talk about a fun flavor!
Great job on the challenge. You are doing great!
Thank you Katie – I’m trying! Not quite in the rhythm yet, but it’s still early.
Sure I’ve tried Banana Bread, but Spiced Pear? I can’t wait to give it a go! I’ll substitute the egg and attempt it gluten free. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
It should work, as long as you add some structure Elizabeth. Like an applesauce bread, it has pectin from the pear, which helps a little.
I’ve never made bread with pears but I can imagine that it tastes wonderful. What a lovely combination of spices you used in this recipe too.
Thank you Joanie!
Nothing bets homemade bread! I can only imagine how amazing it smells and tastes. All the ingredients are fantastic, love maple, cinnamon and pears. I have to admit I posted a pear and beetroot bread last year.
Beetroot!? How unique and delicious I bet!