Special Holiday Bread- Pear Poppy Seed

Special Holiday Bread- Pear Poppy Seed (photo by LivligaHome)

The smells of baking and spices fill the air at holiday time. In fact, it just doesn't seem like the holidays without them. Each year I add a new bread to my repertoire. I search for breads that use less sugar, oil and salt. I also try to make recipes that celebrate seasonal produce.

This year I decided to experiment with pears and poppy seeds. The original poppy seed bread I having been baking for years had a cup of vegetable oil per recipe. This new recipe has 2 tablespoons of butter, that is it, in lieu of the enormous amount of oil. There is less refined sugar and salt as well.

It turned out deliciously. I served it as a tea bread, fresh out of the oven, to some out of town friends who came to call. I am happy to say they were "wowed". Everyone commented on the bread. I served it with slices of sharp cheddar and a green tea chai. It made for the perfect Afternoon Tea for a happy gathering and great conversation.

Pear and Poppy Seed Bread

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups unbleached flour
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
• ⅛ teaspoon cardamom
• 1 ripe pear, peeled and chopped (@ 1 cup)
• 3 tablespoons egg substitute
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• ⅔ cup sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Vegetable Cooking Spray

Directions

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Stir in pear and make a well in the center of the mixture.
3. Combine egg substitute and next 5 ingredients; stir well with a wire whisk.
4. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients become moist.
5. Pour batter into a 8 ½ x 4 ½ x 3 inch loafpan coated with cooking spray.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 16 slices. Calories: 151 per slice.

Here is another idea for bread making you might enjoy from a previous blog: Banana-Date Flaxseed Bread

Happy Healthy Holidays!

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