Birnenbrot - Pear Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 medium ripe pears
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

2. 2

   In a small saucepan, heat the whole milk and unsalted butter over low heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat and let it cool to lukewarm.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt. Mix well.

4. 4

   Add the lukewarm milk mixture, vanilla extract, and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until combined.

5. 5

   Gradually add the remaining flour, 2 cups at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

6. 6

   Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

7. 7

   Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

8. 8

   While the dough is rising, peel, core, and chop the pears into small pieces.

9. 9

   Once the dough has risen, punch it down and fold in the chopped pears, ground cinnamon, and chopped walnuts.

10. 10

    Transfer the dough into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Cover again and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

11. 11

    After the second rise, bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

12. 12

    Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

13. 13

    Slice and serve warm or at room temperature, perfect with coffee.