Spiced Pear Muffins
Fluffy, spiced pear muffins topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar layer. These muffins are high in protein, naturally sweetened, and packed with fiber-rich pear chunks, making them perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a light dessert.
Equipment
- 1 Muffin Pan (12-cup)
- Paper Muffin Liners (12) or Oil for Greasing
- Large mixing bowl (1)
- Small mixing bowl – 1
- Whisk (1)
- Cooling rack (1)
Ingredients
For Muffins:
- 1 medium pear peeled, cored, and diced
- 70 g 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 medium-to-large eggs room temperature
- 120 ml 1/2 cup canola oil or neutral oil
- 120 g 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 200 g 1 1/3 cup self-rising flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp allspice
For Cinnamon Sugar Topping (optional):
- 1 1/2 tbsp demerara sugar or raw sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure even baking. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners for easy removal, or lightly grease each cup with oil if you prefer a direct bake. Properly preparing your pan helps your muffins hold shape and prevents sticking.
- Dice the Pears Carefully: Peel, core, and cut the pear into very small, uniform cubes, roughly 1/4-inch in size. Smaller pieces ensure they stay evenly distributed in the batter rather than sinking to the bottom while baking. Set aside a few pieces to optionally use as a decorative topping later.
- Whisk Eggs and Sugar for Fluffiness: In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and brown sugar. Whisk vigorously for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes slightly pale, bubbly, and light in texture. This step incorporates air into the batter, giving your muffins a tender and airy crumb.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients Smoothly: Add the canola oil and Greek yogurt to the egg-sugar mixture. Whisk until fully combined and smooth, with no streaks of yogurt or oil. The yogurt contributes to moisture and a subtle tang, while the oil ensures softness.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Separately: In a separate bowl, combine the self-rising flour with ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices throughout the flour. Pre-mixing dry ingredients prevents clumping and ensures each muffin has a consistent flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Gently: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Using a whisk or spatula, fold carefully until just combined. Avoid over-mixing, which can make muffins dense. Stop as soon as the flour disappears into the batter.
- Fold in Pear Chunks Thoughtfully: Gently fold the diced pear into the batter, ensuring pieces are evenly spread. This step is crucial to guarantee that every muffin bite contains pear. If you reserved extra pear pieces for topping, set them aside for now.
- Portion Batter into Muffin Pan: Scoop the muffin batter evenly into the prepared pan, filling each cup about three-quarters full. This allows the muffins to rise properly without overflowing. Smooth the tops slightly with a spoon or spatula.
- Add Optional Pear and Cinnamon Sugar Topping: If using, sprinkle the reserved pear chunks on top of each muffin for extra texture and visual appeal. In a small bowl, mix the demerara sugar and ground cinnamon, then evenly sprinkle over each muffin. The topping will caramelize during baking, creating a crunchy, flavorful finish.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, but begin checking around 15 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the muffins are ready. Baking times may vary depending on oven type, so monitor closely.
- Cool Muffins on a Rack: Once baked, carefully remove the muffins from the oven. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Cooling completely prevents sogginess and preserves the delicate crumb texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your spiced pear muffins are now ready to enjoy warm or at room temperature. Perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a light dessert, these muffins pair beautifully with a cup of tea, coffee, or a splash of milk. Store leftovers properly to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm pears to ensure they hold their shape during baking and provide natural sweetness.
- Cut pear pieces uniformly small (about 1/4-inch) to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins.
- Whisking eggs and sugar well helps incorporate air for a lighter, fluffier texture.
- Pre-mixing dry ingredients with spices ensures even flavor distribution throughout the batter.
- Baking times vary by oven; start checking at 15 minutes to avoid over-baking.
- Muffins can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or lightly toasted for extra flavor.
