SPICED PEAR MUFFINS

Spiced Pear Muffins image

Provided by Heather Haddo

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 c unbleached all purpose flour
1 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 c sugar
1/2 c light brown sugar
2/3 c vegetable oil
2 c buttermilk
2 lrg eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
3 lrg ripe pears, peeled and cubed, about 1/2 inch
raw sugar/turbinado sugar for sprinkling

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350, and spray muffin cups, or you can line them.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients and give it a good whisk.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Gently fold in pears. The less stirring the better, muffins are horrible if they're over mixed.
4. I use a 1/4 measuring cup to fill my muffin cups with, and I end up with 2 dozen. Sprinkle about 1/4 tsp of raw sugar on the tops of the muffins. Bake for 25 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and spring back when you touch them.
5. Once the muffins are cooled they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days, if they last!