It all started with a bag of pears I purchased at Aldi’s. I had let them ripen a little too long, and knew if I didn’t use them right away, I’d end up wasting the money I’d spent on them, and I couldn’t let that happen! Soooo, I opened my recipe box in search of an old-time favorite bread recipe from Taste of Home – Cinnamon Swirl Pear Bread. It makes three loaves at one baking and I love that! To get lots of return on the time and effort is a double blessing. However, this slightly sweet bread is yummy enough that one loaf would be worth it! This is a great breakfast bread or snack. Lightly toasted with butter, it will invigorate your taste buds like a Double espresso energizes your body!
Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped peeled ripe pears (about 3 medium)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1-1/4 cups plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
- 3 packages yeast (1/4 ounce each)
- 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 4 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 10 to 11 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- In a large saucepan, combine pears, water and 1/2 cup sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Drain well, reserving syrup. Add cold water if necessary to syrup to measure 1 cup; set aside.
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 teaspoon sugar; let stand for 10 minutes. Add the eggs, butter, honey, salt, extract, 4 cups flour and reserved pears and syrup. Beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours.
- Punch dough down; divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 16-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Combine cinnamon and remaining 3/4 cup sugar; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges.
- Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a short side; pinch seams to seal. Place, seam side down, in three greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Cover loosely with foil. Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until bread tests done. Remove from pans to wire rack to cool. Yield: 3 loaves (16 slices each).
These beauties will make your house smell wonderful while they’re baking! They’re a perfect addition to a morning meal, or an afternoon snack! You’ll have a loaf for yourself and two to share! What a nice gift to give!
Who else loves to give food as a gift?
With love from my country kitchen,
RefreshHer 
Oh my, Denise! These look absolutely wonderful!! I seldom buy pears because they never seem to ripen fast enough. I wonder if apples would work in this bread as well as pears … I’m thinking that they might. And yes … kitchen gifts are some of my very favorite gifts to give!
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Thank you! Yes, apples work great in this recipe! I’m glad you asked. I meant to mention that option. It’s just as good!
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This does look wonderful, however there is something missing in your recipe – it says 3 1/4 oz. packages of – ?? Pretty sure it is yeast, right? Regular or quick-rise?
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Thanks for bringing that to my attention, Kathi! It has been corrected. Yes, it is yeast. I use the regular rise. Thanks again!
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