Perfect for pear season, this simple sweet bread is the perfect accompaniment to a holiday meal and it makes a lovely gift too.

• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• zest of 2 lemons
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 firm pears, peeled, cored and coarsely grated
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the sugar with the oil for 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lemon zest and vanilla and mix well.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, soda, powder and cinnamon. Add the dry mixture to the egg mixture and mix to combine. Do not over mix. Fold in the pears and pecans by hand.

Pour the batter into 2 well greased loaf pans. Bake at 350° F for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before removing from the pans.

Makes 2 loaves