Ingredients:

  • 1/2 C unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more
  • 1 ½ C plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 C almond flour or almond meal
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp plus
  • 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1 1/3 C plus
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 3/4 C buttermilk
  • 1 medium firm but ripe Bosc pear, peeled, cored, cut into
  • 1/4-inch cubes

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter one 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan or six 4 x 2 x 2-inch paper or metal loaf pans. Whisk 1 ½ cups flour, next 4 ingredients, and 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds in a medium bowl. Grind remaining 1/2 cup sesame seeds in spice mill to form a thick paste, about 2 minutes.
  2. Using an electric mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/3 cups sugar in a large bowl until well combined, 2-3 minutes. Add sesame paste and beat, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl, until blended, 1-2 minutes. Add egg and egg yolk. Beat until pale and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. On low speed, beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Toss pear with remaining 2 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl; fold into batter.
  3. Spoon batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
  4. Bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into center, about 1 hour and 40 minutes for large loaf and 45-55 minutes for small loaves. Let cool in pans on a wire rack.