Birnbrot Swiss Pear Bread

Dive into the rich flavors of Switzerland with Birnbrot, the traditional Swiss pear bread that’s as comforting as it is delicious. This aromatic loaf features a soft, buttery dough wrapped around a spiced fruit-and-nut filling made with dried pears, raisins, walnuts, honey, and warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. A hint of lemon zest brightens the flavors, while a golden egg wash gives the bread its signature shine. Perfect as a festive holiday treat or a sweet addition to your afternoon tea, this bread is easy to make and bursting with authentic European flair. Each slice offers a delightful balance of soft bread and chewy, flavorful filling, making it a must-try for fans of artisanal baked goods. Serve it slightly warm and savor the taste of Swiss tradition in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:85 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 500 grams All-purpose flour
• 50 grams Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 10 grams Active dry yeast
• 250 milliliters Milk
• 50 grams Butter
• 300 grams Dried pears, finely chopped
• 100 grams Raisins
• 100 grams Chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 1 Egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.

Step 2

Warm the milk until lukewarm (not hot) and dissolve the yeast in it. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 3

Melt the butter and add it to the milk-yeast mixture.

Step 4

Gradually add the liquid mixture to the flour and knead into a smooth, elastic dough (about 10 minutes). Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by combining the chopped dried pears, raisins, walnuts, honey, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and lemon zest in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 7

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a large rectangle, about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thick.

Step 8

Spread the prepared filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 9

Carefully roll the dough into a log, tucking in the ends to seal.

Step 10

Place the log seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with the beaten egg to create a golden crust.

Step 11

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 12

Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1471.5 grams (1471.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4445

Total Fat 125.50g	161%
Saturated Fat 34.50g	173%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.50g
Cholesterol 327mg	109%
Sodium 2852mg	124%
Total Carbohydrate 766.40g	279%
Dietary Fiber 51.30g	183%
Total Sugars 302.20g
Protein 94.90g	190%

Vitamin D 162IU	812%
Calcium 695mg	53%
Iron 32mg	175%
Potassium 4077mg	87%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.7%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 67.0%