Poached Pear Lager Bread

Poached Pear Lager Bread

I often poach pears in winter months because it’s a warming kind of thing to do. I like to sit on a stool right beside the stove with a book in one hand and a stirring spoon in the other. The cook time varies with the firmness of the fruit, but on average it’s 30-ish minutes of reading and spiced pear aromatherapy. There are worse ways to spend half an hour, I tell ya!

I’ve used poached pears in cakes before but I’ve never used them in quick bread recipes. I adore fruit desserts so I was pretty optimistic about this pear-lager version. It’s nice. The batter is less sweet than cake and nuanced with lager flavor. The glaze and poached pears will satisfy your sweet tooth without overwhelming it.

Poached Pear Lager Bread

I have little direction for you when it comes to choosing lager. Perhaps use one that you enjoy drinking, or one that tips to the sweet side.

Poached Pear Lager Bread

After the pears are poached allow them to drain on paper towels. Place them upright in the bread batter in the loaf tin.

Even though the pears spent some time swimming in liquid, I decided to wrap their woody stems with aluminum foil just in case they wanted to burn in the oven. You may want to do the same.

Poached Pear Lager Bread

The bread will puff up over the pears as it bakes.  One of my pears started to lean mid-bake so I opened the oven door and carefully straightened it by the stem, which set everything right again.

Poached Pear Lager Bread

This is one of my favorite new recipes of the season. I’m certain that it will be in heavy rotation in my kitchen. It’s an unusual beauty and so delicious. I can’t wait to share some loaves as gifts, and I can’t wait to eat it on Christmas morning!

Want more giftable goodies? 

Last year’s eighteenth day advent recipe was 

Pink Squirrel Cocktail Cupcakes!

Poached Pear Lager Bread

Poached Pear Lager Bread

Heather Baird
The quick bread is lightly sweet and cake-like with delicious poached pears baked right in the center.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Equipment

  • 9×5 inch loaf pan

Ingredients
 
 

Poach pears:

  • 3 medium-firm Bartlett Pears
  • 4 cups 940 mlwater
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cups 400 g granulated sugar

Bread:

  • 3/4 cup 150 g light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup 113 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup 4 oz. sour cream
  • 1 3/4 cup 210 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup 120 ml lager

Glaze:

  • 1 cup 125 g powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lager

Instructions
 

Poached pears

  • Peel pears leaving the stems intact and cut the bottoms flat so that they stand upright. Combine the water, lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil; add the pears and cook until just tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.

Bread

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with flour-based baking spray or grease and flour pan.
  • Cream the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl; add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add the flour mixture alternately with the lager beginning and ending with flour. Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan and level the top with a spatula. Stand pears upright in the batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and springs back when pressed. If you’re not sure if the bread is done, test it with a skewer. When the bread is done the skewer will come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Glaze

  • Combine in a small bowl using a whisk. Mixture should be thick and fall in a ribbon from a spoon. Drizzle the glaze over the bread and let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Cut bread into slices using a serrated knife. Serve.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Slices can be warmed in the microwave for 20 seconds.
Keyword lager, light brown sugar, poached pears
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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bryn
bryn
7 years ago

I would love to serve this Christmas Eve but I have some guests who would take issue with the lager. Could I substitute sprite or 7up? I promise to make it again the correct way once they have left!

Heather Baird
Heather Baird
7 years ago
Reply to  bryn

Hi Bryn! No problem at all – you can definitely use soda or even whole milk. Thanks for asking!

-h

Ankit Kumar
Ankit Kumar
7 years ago

Grt recipee… looking so nice..1st time i see something like this.

Lisa
Lisa
7 years ago

I made this yesterday and it was perfect! Great recipe as usual. I added some spices to the poaching liquid then reduced it to a syrup. It was great drizzled over the cake slices and vanilla ice cream!

Unknown
Unknown
7 years ago

This looks like so much fun to cut into with that full size pear!
Kari
http://sweetteasweetie.com

Nica D
Nica D
7 years ago

This is so beautiful! I'm tempted to run out and get some pears to make it even though we aren't expecting company. Thanks for sharing!