Spicy Pear Bread

I am surprised so few bakers know about birnenwecken, also sometimes called birnbrot, a delightful Swiss bread made with a dried pear filling. It is a specialty of old Swiss home bakers. Most regions of Switzerland have their own variety with slightly different spices. The filling is encased in a firm dough, which keeps the bread fresh for at least a month. The bread likes to age for a week, but I enjoy it fresh with a glass of wine or mug of hot chocolate.