Chocolate-Pear Tea Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°.
2. 2
   Lightly butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.
3. 3
   Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper or waxed paper.
4. 4
   In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. 5
   In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer set on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
6. 6
   One at a time, beat in the eggs, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
7. 7
   Mix in the applesauce and vanilla.
8. 8
   With the mixer on low, gradually beat in the flour mixture; mix just until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed.
9. 9
   Fold in the pears and chocolate chips.
10. 10
    Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
11. 11
    Bake until a pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour.
12. 12
    Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
13. 13
    Invert the cake onto the rack and unmold.
14. 14
    Remove the paper, turn the loaf right side up, and let cool completely.