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.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
Warm the milk until lukewarm (not hot) and dissolve the yeast in it. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Melt the butter and add it to the milk-yeast mixture.
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.
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.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a large rectangle, about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thick.
Spread the prepared filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Carefully roll the dough into a log, tucking in the ends to seal.
Place the log seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with the beaten egg to create a golden crust.
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Calories |
581 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 16.0 g | 21% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 312 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 101.3 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.9 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.6 g | ||
| Protein | 12.5 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 81 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 448 mg | 10% | |
*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.