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freshly baked pear gingerbread loaf

Gingerbread Loaf Recipe

This pear gingerbread loaf is soft, moist, and filled with juicy pear pieces and warm spices. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack, it’s easy to make and smells amazing as it bakes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 2 medium pears peeled, cored, and chopped
Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Method
 

Preheat oven and prepare pan
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Cream butter and sugar
  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract.
Combine wet and dry
  1. Gradually mix in dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined.
Fold in pears and nuts
  1. Gently fold chopped pears and nuts (if using) into the batter. Avoid overmixing.
Bake the loaf
  1. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and serve
  1. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slice once completely cool.

Notes

  • Use firm pears like Bosc or Anjou for best texture.
  • This loaf keeps well for 2–3 days at room temperature or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for extra sweetness.