There’s nothing more comforting than the spicy flavor of gingerbread.
Instead of eating cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I’m finding new ways to add the holiday cheer into my day, starting with a slice of this rich, wholegrain loaf.
I love the holidays. As soon as those big coffee brands start to unleash their seasonal eggnog lattes into the world, I get all giddy. I get all excited. I bring out the big guns, reds and greens blazing. It is finally that time of the year.
No one’s ever too old for Christmas. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas.
No one’s too old for Christmas cookies either but after years and years (not telling you how many) of munching on oddly-shaped gingerbread men, this chef’s ready to branch out. Definitely need to start working on more healthy holiday traditions- please add that to next year’s resolutions list.
But first, my whole grain gingerbread pear loaf recipe
Gingerbread is a definite December staple, but do you know what else is?
Pears.
Round, juicy, pears practically bursting with healthy vitamins and flavor- and December is the best time to get your hands on them. Aside from the fact that most pears get harvested in the holiday months, making sure we get them fresh straight from the trees, I bet you guys didn’t know that December is national pear month.
I’m usually not the type of person to celebrate fake fruit holidays, but it’s the perfect excuse to whip up a holiday treat so I’m all for it.
Pears tend to have a soft, delicate, sweet flavor, so pairing it with a completely different flavor like gingerbread gives it that bold, addictive kick.
Whether you have a slice for breakfast or two for afternoon tea, this whole grain gingerbread pear loaf recipe will surely be your family’s new holiday favorite.
Looking for another way to get your gingerbread on? Make these GF gingerbread waffles!
Gingerbread Pear Loaf
Author: Micah Siva
Time: 60 minutes
Serves: 10-12
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
- 3/4 c. buckwheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ginger, chopped
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 c. treacle or molasses
- 1/4 c. coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 3/4 c. almond milk
- 1/2 c. olive oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 pears, sliced lengthwise
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/176C.
- Preheat oven to 350F/176C.
- Prepare a loaf pan with oil, line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, sift flours, baking soda and spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk treacle, coconut sugar, almond milk, olive oil and vanilla.
- Add wet ingredient to dry, mixing until just combined
- Pour into loaf pan, top with sliced pears
- Bake 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
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