Chunky Pear and Cranberry Bread

This time of year I love to add cranberries to my baked goods.  I especially like to add cranberries with pears like in this delicious Chunky Pear and Cranberry Bread.  It’s a great breakfast bread with a similar consistency to a muffin but also makes a wonderful dessert bread.  It is perfect for gifting as well!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon all spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2 cups chopped pears

Yield 3 small loaf pans

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly grease your loaf pan or mini loaf pans with shortening or baking spray.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, all spice, and nutmeg.

In the bowl of a stand mixer begin beating the eggs.  Gradually add the sugar continuing to mix until well combined.

Add the vegetable oil, vanilla, and applesauce to the sugar and butter mixture.  Continue mixing until smooth.

Add the chopped pears and cranberries to the batter and stir by hand until fruit is incorporated.

Pour the batter into your loaf pans, filling 2/3 of the way full.

Place the small loaf pans onto a baking sheet and bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.

Allow bread to cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes.  Loosen the bread from the pans and remove to serve warm!