PEAR WALNUT BREAD WITH QUICK APPLE BUTTER

One of the most enjoyable things we did

while living in Maine, was taking

weekend jaunts around the New England states

seeing the sights, visiting Bread and Breakfast Inns

and photographing seaside towns.

There are hundreds of B&B's all over

this area, and they welcome you to visit and take a tour

of their beautiful homes.

There will often be coffee, tea and breads on

display in the dining rooms and this recipe

comes from Ludlow, Vermont!

The apple butter makes this bread simply divine! 

Pear Walnut Bread

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch nutmeg

1/4 cup buttermilk

1 cup coarsely chopped cored pears

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Cream butter, gradually beat in sugar, and add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine dry ingredients and add to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk. Stir in pears, vanilla, and nuts. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Cool. Slice and serve plain, with Quick Apple Butter or with cream cheese.

Quick Apple Butter

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Pinch each of ginger and cloves

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer 30 minutes.

 Cool and spread on Pear Bread.