HONEY GLAZED PEAR CUPCAKES #RSC

Honey Glazed Pear Cupcakes #RSC image

Ready, Set, Cook! Reynolds Wrap Contest Entry. This is a great seasonal recipe. The pears and honey balance nicely together and give this cupcake a nice natural sweetness. The almonds add a bit of nuttiness and crunch. This is a light, fluffy and tender cupcake that leaves a happy feeling in your mouth.

Provided by lilmichelles

Categories Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 18 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 medium ripe bartlett pears
1/2 cup almonds, oven roasted (see note below)
Reynolds Wrap Foil
1 tablespoon wildflower honey (you can also use clover)
2 tablespoons hot water
1 (8 ounce) package package cream cheese
1/4 cup unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Note: To roast nuts, spread almonds evenly on baking sheet lined with Reynolds Wrap Foil and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Transfer almonds to medium bowl and let cool. Once cool, chop almonds finely in food processor ; set aside.
While oven is preheating, peel and core the pears. Using a box grated, shred 3 of the pears into a medium bowl; set aside.
Place the remaining pear (cubed) into a pot of water; boil until fork tender. Once pear is soft (falls off fork when tested; approximately 15-20 minutes), drain and mash with a fork; set aside.
Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla until evenly combined; add in dry mixture. Continue to mix on medium speed until evenly combined, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.
Mix in mashed pear, followed by shredded pear until just combined. Stir in almonds.
Pour approximately ¼ cup batter into each muffin cup, lined with Reynolds Wrap Foil. Place muffin pan on middle rack in oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Transfer cupcakes to cooling rack.
While cupcakes are still warm, poke several holes into center of each cupcake using a toothpick. Brush on Honey Glaze. To make the glaze, mix together the honey and hot water in a small bowl.
Once cupcakes have cooled completely, frost with cream cheese frosting. To make the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter. Mix in vanilla extract. Gradually add in confectioner's sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy.