Turkish Coffee Pear Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Peel and core the pears. Cut them into quarter pieces.
2. 2
   Puree the quarters in a food processor to get 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups.
3. 3
   Center a rack in the middle of an oven preheated to 325°F.
4. 4
   Lightly grease and flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
5. 5
   Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt into a small bowl; set aside.
6. 6
   In the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed, combine the butter and sugars until well blended, about 2 minutes.
7. 7
   Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing for about 1 minute.
8. 8
   Add the pear puree and yogurt. Mix until combined.
9. 9
   Stop mixing. Sprinkle the ground coffee and cardamom over the batter, then scatter the flour over the top.
10. 10
    Resume at low speed or pulse a few times, and mix until just combined.
11. 11
    Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and bake for about 1 hour 5 mins., or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. 12
    Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a wire rack and turn right side up on the rack to cool completely.