Chocolate-Cinnamon Pear Loaf Cake

By LRay

Better Homes and Gardens, November 2013, page 140.

Nutrition Facts (Chocolate-Cinnamon Pear Loaf Cake) Servings Per Recipe 10,
cal. (kcal) 352,
Fat, total (g) 15,
chol. (mg) 21,
sat. fat (g) 4,
carb. (g) 53,
Monosaturated fat (g) 9,
Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1,
Trans fatty acid (g) 0,
fiber (g) 4,
sugar (g) 30,
pro. (g) 5,
vit. A (IU) 78,
vit. C (mg) 4,
Thiamin (mg) 0,
Riboflavin (mg) 0,
Niacin (mg) 2,
Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) (mg) 0,
Folate (µg) 49,
Cobalamin (Vit. B12) (µg) 0,
sodium (mg) 274,
Potassium (mg) 246,
calcium (mg) 103,
iron (mg) 2,
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

• 3 8 ounces Bartlett pears, peeled
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 3-inch stick cinnamon
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
• Finely shredded orange peel (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Poached Pears::
1. Core the pears from the bottom, leaving the stems intact. In a large saucepan combine the water, 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice and cinnamon stick. Bring to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add pears. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until pears are tender. Remove from heat. Discard liquid and cinnamon stick. Cool pears.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In a large bowl combine the 1 2/3 cups flour, brown sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, 1 tsp. cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl whisk together egg, buttermilk, and olive oil. Add to flour mixture. Whisk until smooth.
Bread::
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. In a small, shallow dish combine 1 Tbsp. flour, 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon. Roll each pear in the flour mixture to lightly coat. Place pears, stem sides up, down the center of the batter (pears will be exposed at the top, but the batter will rise up around them during baking). Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean Remove; cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.

4. To serve, drizzle melted white chocolate over loaf. Garnish with orange peel, if desired.

From the Test Kitchen*Sour Milk:•To make sour milk, place 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar in a 1-cup glass measure. Add milk to make 1 cup; stir well. Let stand 5 minutes before using.