Chai Spiced Poached Pear Coconut Loaf

Pears are poached in spiced tea, then baked in a coconut sponge cake batter flavored with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg – what more could you want from a recipe? It's made from oats, so it's gluten-free and consequentially, you can get away with grabbing a slice for breakfast just as well as you can have a slice (or two) for dessert. It's easy to make in spite of its fancy appearance, so it's also perfect for potlucks.

CHAI SPICED POACHED PEAR COCONUT LOAF [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]

INGREDIENTS

• 4 small pears, peeled
• 2 bags of spiced herbal tea
• 3 cups gluten-free oat flour
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
• 1/4 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup coconut milk

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 355°F and grease and line a loaf tin.
2. Place the pears in a large pan with boiling water to cover. Place the tea bags in, cover with a lid and poach for 10 minutes, until softened. Leave to cool.
3. Mix together the oat flour, coconut sugar, flax seeds, desiccated coconut, baking powder, baking soda, and spices in a large bowl.
4. Stir in the maple syrup, coconut oil, vinegar, and coconut milk, plus 1 1/2 cups of the tea liquid from the poached pears. Mix well to form a batter.
5. Spoon some of this into the loaf tin up to halfway. Now carefully drop the pears in with a small gap between them.
6. Spoon more batter around the pears in between the gaps to reach the top of the loaf tin (you may have some mixture leftover).
7. Bake for 30 minutes, then scatter over 1 tablespoon coconut sugar mixed with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
8. Continue baking for another 15 minutes, until firm, risen, and golden. Leave to cool in the tin.
9. Gently lift out the cake when cooled down, then slice and serve.

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