The timing for this guest post was perfect because I just picked some pears from one of our trees and hadn’t decided what to do with them yet. Thank you, Barbara!
I’m so glad summer is over here in west Tennessee. I enjoy canning my own vegetables, fruits, jelly and making homemade wine, but this has been an awfully hot season for us and I feel as wilted as the last of my zinnias.
October is my very favorite month of the year. When the temps at night start cooling to open-window comfort, and the leaves begin their annual dance of color and flight, my thoughts automatically turn to something spicy-sweet and delicious…whether it’s a flavored tea to sip after dinner, or a fresh moist quick bread. This is when I love my favorite carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, too…..
Pears are ripe in our area now, and I found this recipe for an easy way to use some of that fall harvest. For a variation, it’s great with the addition of butterscotch chips and your favorite chopped nuts. I also change the nutmeg to 1/4 teaspoon, and add 1 t. cinnamon. I like it spicy!
Autumn Pear Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely chopped peeled ripe pears
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Combine eggs, buttermilk and vanilla; stir into the flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in pears.
3. Spoon into a greased loaf pan, or muffin cups. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Barbara’s bio:
I live in the beautiful wooded hills of West Tennessee, and am retired from my handmade soap business with my husband Steve and two spoiled rotten cats. Some of my favorite things are crocheting, quilting, cooking, playing Mexican Train Dominoes, and *reading*. I read just about everything I can get my hands on, except for Harlequin types and most sci-fi.
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