Pear Muffins Recipe: How to Make Pear Muffins at Home
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: May 31, 2022 • 3 min read
With flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices, these spiced, fruit-filled pear muffins make a delectable addition to any breakfast or brunch spread.
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What Are Pear Muffins?
Pear muffins are individually sized sweet quick breads featuring chunks of fresh pear. This classic baked good relies on baking soda or baking powder as a leavening agent, resulting in a semi-sweet treat with a denser texture than cupcakes. Home bakers can adapt any pear muffin recipe to incorporate additions such as pecans, walnuts, chocolate chips, and other fruits. Enjoy pear muffins for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
6 Tips for Making Pear Muffins
These simple baked goods are suitable for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these tips to craft the perfect batch of pear muffins:
- 1. Pick the right produce. For the best muffin flavor and texture, use fresh, firm pears that aren’t too soft: Anjou, Bosc, and Bartlett pears are great options. Avoid using overripe or canned pears because they will alter the texture of your muffins.
- 2. Add cultured dairy. The acidity in cultured dairy ingredients helps with leavening as it reacts with the baking soda, creating a tall crust and fluffy crumb. Add yogurt, crème fraîche, buttermilk, or sour cream to the muffin batter. Mix one cup of milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice to create a quick cultured dairy replacement.
- 3. Mix the batter mindfully. Stirring activates gluten, a protein found in various flours that makes doughs chewy and tight. For muffins, pancakes, or other airy doughs, err on the side of caution and mix until just combined and not a minute more.
- 4. Go gluten-free. Make gluten-free pear muffins by replacing the wheat flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend.
- 5. Try a topping. A light sprinkle of turbinado sugar adds some sparkle to the tops of your muffins. You can also top your muffins with sliced almonds or a simple oat streusel topping to impress your friends at brunch.
- 6. Store in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Leftover pear muffins will keep fresh in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 3–4 days. For the best result, line the bottom of the container with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. For long-term storage, store the muffins in a freezer-proof bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the frozen muffins defrost at room temperature before serving them.
Tender Pear Muffins Recipe
makes
12 muffinsprep time
20 mintotal time
45 mincook time
25 minIngredients
Note: Total time does not include 5 minutes of inactive time.
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 12-count muffin pan with butter or line the wells with paper liners.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
- 3
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3–5 minutes. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go.
- 4
With the mixer still running, add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat the ingredients together on medium speed, then increase to high speed. Continue mixing until the mixture is well combined.
- 5
With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat until combined. Add the milk and continue beating the mixture on low until it is well combined.
- 6
Fold the diced pears into the muffin batter.
- 7
Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each well about two-thirds to the top. Sprinkle the muffin tops with turbinado sugar.
- 8
Place the muffins in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
- 9
With the muffins still in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the muffins for an additional 12–15 minutes until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the muffins comes out clean.
- 10
Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature.
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