Pear and Ginger Loaf
In short: Diced pear, ground ginger and chewy crystallized ginger flavor this tender buttermilk loaf, which stays moist for days. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 220 kcal
Pears and ginger are an old pairing, and a simple loaf shows it off well. Ripe pears add sweetness and soft pieces, ground ginger gives gentle heat, and chopped crystallized ginger adds chewy, spicy pockets. Buttermilk keeps the crumb tender. Bake it in autumn when pears are cheap, and serve it with tea or with a spoonful of yogurt.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inch) loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Dice the pears into 1 cm (1/2 inch) pieces. Toss them with the crystallized ginger and 1 tablespoon of the flour.
- Whisk the eggs and both sugars for about 2 minutes, until pale. Whisk in the melted butter and buttermilk.
- Stir the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger and cinnamon together. Fold into the egg mixture until just combined.
- Fold in the pear and ginger mixture. Scrape the batter into the pan and level the top.
- Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden and a skewer in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out and cool on a rack before slicing.
Tips
- Use pears that are ripe but still firm. Very soft pears turn mushy and make the loaf wet.
- No buttermilk? Stir 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 120 ml (1/2 cup) milk and leave it for 5 minutes before using.
Questions and answers
Which pears are best for baking a loaf?
Choose firm-ripe pears such as Bosc or Conference, which hold their shape. Very juicy, soft pears break down and make the crumb heavy.
Can I leave out the crystallized ginger?
Yes. Add another 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger and the loaf will still be well spiced. Chopped walnuts make a good replacement for texture.
How long does pear and ginger loaf keep?
It keeps for 4 days wrapped at room temperature, and the ginger flavor deepens on the second day. Freeze slices for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make Pear and Ginger Loaf?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pear and Ginger Loaf?
About 220 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 220 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 245 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
