Welcome to a delightful journey into fall flavors with our incredible Pear Hazelnut Bread, crowned with a shimmering Orange Maple Glaze. Imagine the comforting aroma filling your kitchen as this beautifully moist loaf bakes to golden perfection. This isn’t just a simple bread; it’s a celebration of autumn, a testament to cozy moments, and a sweet escape from the everyday hustle. Each slice promises a harmonious blend of tender, sweet pears, crunchy toasted hazelnuts, and a warm embrace of cinnamon and cloves, all brought together by a vibrant, tangy-sweet orange maple glaze that truly elevates every bite.
As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, our cravings naturally shift towards warm, spiced treats. This Pear Hazelnut Bread fits that bill perfectly, offering a comforting embrace that feels both indulgent and wholesome. It’s the kind of bake that makes a house feel like a home, perfect for a leisurely breakfast, a delightful afternoon snack with a cup of tea, or even a casual dessert. While it boasts the richness and moist texture of a cake, we affectionately call it “sweet bread” – a clever little trick to make us feel perfectly justified enjoying it at any time of day!
Embracing the Mystery Dish Challenge
This exquisite recipe emerged from the exciting “Mystery Dish” challenge, a monthly culinary adventure where a group of talented food bloggers come together to create unique dishes from a secret basket of ingredients. It’s a fantastic way to spark creativity in the kitchen, pushing us to experiment with unexpected combinations and transform everyday staples into something extraordinary. Each month brings a fresh set of ingredients and a new opportunity to innovate, resulting in a diverse collection of recipes shared across the blogging community.
Our wonderful host for this month’s Mystery Dish was Marcie from Flavor the Moment. If you haven’t discovered her incredible blog yet, I highly recommend a visit – it’s a treasure trove of inspiring and delicious recipes. Marcie presented us with a diverse and intriguing basket of ingredients: pork, fennel, kabocha squash, hard apple cider, heavy cream, orange, farro, hazelnuts, quince, thyme, maple syrup, and brussels sprouts. The possibilities were endless, from savory main courses to delightful desserts.
The Inspiration Behind the Pear Hazelnut Bread
Faced with such a varied selection, I initially considered several complex ideas. However, as baking day approached, I found myself leaning towards simplicity and the pure comfort of familiar flavors. Having recently enjoyed making spiced poached pears, my mind kept drifting back to the sweet, delicate essence of pears. I realized that pears would be a magnificent star for a sweet loaf, especially when paired with some of the bold ingredients from our mystery basket.
I settled on a beautiful quartet of flavors: fresh pears, earthy hazelnuts, bright orange, and the rich sweetness of maple syrup. This combination felt intrinsically autumnal and promised a truly special result. And I’m so incredibly glad I followed that intuition! What emerged from my oven was a new favorite sweet bread – a moist, tender loaf that’s both simple in its preparation and incredibly sophisticated in its taste profile. The batter itself is a symphony of warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, complemented by the delightful crunch of toasted hazelnuts (a non-negotiable step for maximum flavor!) and the natural sweetness and moisture from shredded pears.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. This wonderful loaf is generously crowned with a luscious Orange Maple Glaze. This glaze is more than just a topping; it adds another layer of moisture, a burst of citrusy brightness, and a delicate maple sweetness that ties all the flavors together beautifully. A slice of this Pear Hazelnut Bread, especially when enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee or a fragrant tea, transforms an ordinary moment into a truly extraordinary one. It’s the kind of treat that brightens a gloomy day and makes celebrations even sweeter.
Pear Hazelnut Bread with Orange Maple Glaze
A sweet orange maple glaze beautifully complements a moist pear and hazelnut-filled bread – a truly perfect fall snack!
20 minutes
50 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 cup shredded peeled pears (about 2 medium, squeezed dry)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon orange vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup toasted hazelnuts, chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and line a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the longer sides to create “handles” for easy removal. Grease the parchment paper as well.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the wet ingredients: the shredded pear (ensure it’s well-squeezed to remove excess moisture for a perfect loaf), vegetable oil, Greek yogurt, eggs, and your chosen orange vanilla extract (or plain vanilla). Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, chopped toasted hazelnuts, cloves, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and orange zest. Whisk these together briefly to ensure they are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared loaf pan.
- Bake the bread for approximately 55-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
- Allow the baked bread to cool in the pan for about an hour before carefully using the parchment paper overhangs to lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling thoroughly is key before glazing.
- While the bread cools, prepare the Orange Maple Glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, orange zest, and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Add more maple syrup, a half teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency. The glaze should be thick enough to cling to the bread but still drizzle easily.
- Once the bread is completely cool, generously drizzle or spread the prepared glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the glaze to firm up slightly and create that beautiful, irresistible finish.
- Store any leftover Pear Hazelnut Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain its freshness and moisture.
Making this Recipe?
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Tips for the Best Pear Hazelnut Bread
- Toast Your Hazelnuts: This step is crucial! Toasting brings out the full, rich flavor of the hazelnuts and adds a fantastic crunch. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Rub them in a clean towel to remove skins, then chop.
- Squeeze Pears Dry: Pears contain a lot of water. After shredding, place them in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. This prevents the bread from becoming too dense or soggy.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tough, dry loaf. A few small lumps are perfectly fine!
- Orange Zest is Key: Don’t skip the orange zest in both the bread and the glaze. It provides an incredible bright, aromatic note that lifts the other flavors. Use a microplane for the finest zest without the bitter white pith.
- Cool Completely: Resist the temptation to glaze warm bread! The glaze will melt and run off. Ensure your loaf is fully cooled before applying the glaze for the best texture and appearance.
This Pear Hazelnut Bread with Orange Maple Glaze is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s the simple joy of baking, the delightful aroma that fills your home, and the pure pleasure of sharing a homemade treat with loved ones. It embodies the essence of fall, bringing warmth and comfort to every gathering, big or small. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to the kitchen, this recipe is straightforward and incredibly rewarding.
The beauty of this sweet bread lies in its versatility. Enjoy a slice for a quick, energizing breakfast, pack it in lunchboxes for a wholesome treat, or serve it as a simple yet elegant dessert. Its moist texture means it stays fresh and delicious for days, making it perfect for meal prepping or as a thoughtful gift. The harmonious blend of fruit, nuts, and sweet glaze ensures it’s a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
We absolutely love how the creative spirit of the Mystery Dish challenge pushes us to create unique and delicious dishes like this. It’s a wonderful reminder that sometimes the best recipes come from stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing a little culinary adventure. We hope you’ll give this Pear Hazelnut Bread a try and let it bring a taste of autumn magic into your home.
Here’s the list of recipes from the rest of the Mystery Dish ladies. Be sure to check out their delicious creations!
Baked Apple Donuts with Maple Glaze by Yummy Healthy Easy
Baked French Toast Casserole by I Want Crazy
Hazelnut Maple-Glazed Cinnamon Rolls by I Dig Pinterest
Hazelnut Macarons with Pumpkin Maple Filling by Baking a Moment
Honey-Thyme Roasted Pork Tenderloin from The Pajama Chef
Italian Sausage and Ravioli Skillet by Simply Gloria
Kabocha Squash Curry with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Farro by Chez CateyLou
Maple Glazed Fennel and Brussels Sprouts by The Well Floured Kitchen
Pear Hazelnut Bread with Orange Maple Glaze by Blahnik Baker
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Apples, Bacon, and Hazelnuts by Flavor the Moments
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Harvest Salad with a Hard Apple Cider Vinaigrette by Joyful Healthy Eats
{Vegan} Orange Hazelnut Maple Cinnamon Rolls by Sweet Tooth Life