Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 eggs

2 cans (15 ounces each) pear halves, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5-inch loaf pans.

2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, baking soda, and nutmeg and set aside.

3. In a separate mixing bowl using an electric mixer on high speed, beat together the sugar, oil, butter, and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs one at a time beating well with each addition. The mixture will begin to thicken and be a light lemon color.

4. Stir the mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. Fold in the pears.

5. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Remove from oven and cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out loaves and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Wrap each loaf in foil and let stand overnight in a cool dry place before serving.

Bon Appetit!