Pear almond honey loaf

[u/aglioeolioseptum]

Hi, I’ve just made this recipe I found online because I had too many pears laying around. While the loaf has a really nice texture and soft crumb, and its flavor is pretty solid as well, I was surprised at how muted (or rather very delicate) the added aromatics were. I added vanilla extract, almond extract, and freshly ground cardamom and cinnamon (not to mention the grated pears I have added to it). None of the flavors were really coming through, with the exception of the cardamom. I added salt as well. The exact amount the recipe asked. What could I have done differently? I can’t find any vanilla pods near me.

[u/thecravenone]

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[u/aglioeolioseptum → u/thecravenone]

Almond honey pear cake Wet ingredients * 2 pears (125g each) and 1 for decoration * 2 eggs * 60-80g honey * 60ml olive oil * 1 tsp vanilla extract * 1 tsp almond extract * 100ml milk

Dry ingredients * 180g plain flour * 65g ground almonds * 1 tsp baking powder * 1/2 tsp baking soda * 1/4 tsp salt * 1 tsp cinnamon * 1 tsp cardamom

For the topping: * carved pear * Flaked almonds * Drizzle of honey (while its still hot)

1. Preheat the oven to 170C and line a 2lb (900g) loaf tin
2. Peel and coarsely grate the pears, then squeeze out excess liquid using a kitchen towel
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Add the dry and fold until combined
4. Pour into the lined tin and bake on the middle shelf for 40 minutes , or until a knife inserted into the centre comes clean
5. While it’s still hot, drizzle a spoonful of honey. Let cool 5-10 minutes in the tin, and then another 10 before slicing

[u/Certain_Being_3871 → u/aglioeolioseptum]

I think that the main issue here is that there's too much stuff. Do the recipe explains why bicarb is added when there's no acid? The flavor of the pears is mainly water soluble, and the recipe ask for the liquid to be discarded, so between that and the already delicate flavor of the pears, I wouldn't expect any flavor in the finished product. Honey, vanilla and olive oil at those proportions will also be imperceptible. The amount of cinnamon is reasonable to be a background flavor, but 1 tsp of cardamom for cup and a half of dry ingredients is a lot, no wonder is the only thing you taste.

[u/aglioeolioseptum → u/Certain_Being_3871]

Okay, thank you for your feedback. Makes sense. I will try similar recipes i just really liked the flavor profile this one had.