Spiced Pear Loaf with Brown Sugar Icing: A Fragrant, Moist Delight

Dive into the delightful flavors of autumn with this Spiced Pear Loaf, enriched with fresh ripe pears and a blend of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. This loaf offers a tender, moist crumb infused with the subtle sweetness and refreshing taste of pears, making every slice irresistibly good. Topped with a smooth brown sugar icing, this pear loaf not only fills your palate with sweet, spiced flavors but also perfumes your kitchen with its inviting aroma during baking.

Why You’ll Love This: You’ll cherish this Spiced Pear Loaf for its comforting, homey qualities. The pears are pureed into a smooth consistency, ensuring the loaf stays incredibly moist and carries a delicate pear flavor throughout. The combination of spices complements the fruit perfectly, offering a cozy, warming sensation with each bite. The brown sugar icing adds a caramel-like richness that rounds out the flavors beautifully. This loaf is straightforward to make and perfect for sharing, promising satisfaction in every slice.

Perfect Occasion: This pear spice loaf is ideally suited for a fall gathering, a cozy family brunch, or as a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season. It’s a fantastic choice for an afternoon snack with tea or coffee and works beautifully as a dessert for casual dining. Serve it at your next book club meeting or bring it to a potluck and watch it disappear quickly!

Decoration Tips: For a rustic yet elegant presentation, drizzle the brown sugar icing over the top of the loaf, allowing it to drip down the sides naturally. Sprinkle the top with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg before the icing sets to enhance its visual appeal and aroma. Garnish with a few pear slices or a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture and a professional touch.

Ingredients:

• Pear Loaf:
  • 1 1/2 cups (9 oz) peeled, chopped fresh ripe pears
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 1/4 cups (5 1/2 oz) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup (7 oz) sugar
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
• Brown Sugar Icing:
  • 1/4 cup (2 oz) salted butter
  • 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz) brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup (4 oz) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8 x 4-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease and flour the sides.
2. Puree the chopped pears with lemon juice using a blender or food processor until smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
4. In a large bowl, vigorously beat the sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and well combined.
5. Mix in the pear purée until fully incorporated.
6. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined, taking care not to overmix.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 38-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack.
8. For the icing: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in the cream, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
9. Drizzle the icing over the cooled loaf.

Enjoy this Spiced Pear Loaf as a sweet celebration of seasonal flavors, perfect for any occasion or simply as a treat to brighten your day.