This year, the holidays brought about stomach bugs, presents, and boxes of ripe pears. With my younger sister and her husband returning home to West Virginia and the long list of Christmas and New Year parties dwindling, I felt inspired to put those last ripe pears to good use. Muffins aren’t only perfect for breakfast, but also for an afternoon (or midnight) snack. And if you happen to have last minute dinner guests, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce can make pear muffins an extraordinary dessert.
I’m 17 weeks pregnant now, which means I want and need to eat constantly. Breakfast is always followed by a morning snack, and these muffins along with a a decaf latte, have made 10:00am my favorite hour. Packed with ripe pears and seasoned with a noticeable dose of cinnamon, these whole wheat muffins are moist, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Being 17 weeks along in this journey, I’m finally starting to show. After weeks of morning sickness, it’s exciting that the world can now see my body changing (because it’s felt quite different for quite some time now). Susanne has generously loaned me her maternity clothes. After four children, she has an enviable collection. And my sweet husband? Well, he’s been treating me like a queen. For Christmas, he stitched this mama and baby pendent for me. A piece of jewelry that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.
Something else I’ll treasure? Your words. Thank you for all your well wishes and hearty congratulations. I’m thrilled to be on this path, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts along the road.
Spiced Pear Muffins
*From theKitchn
Makes 12 muffins
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 to 2 1/2 cups pears, unpeeled and diced small (2 medium-sized pears, about 11 oz whole)
1. Heat your oven to 425°F. Spray the top of your muffin tin with non-stick coating.
2. In a mixer on high speed, cream together the sugars and the softened butter until they resemble fluffy frosting, about 1 minute. Mix in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, about 1 minute each. Mix in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, mix 1/3 of the flour mixture into the butter-sugar mixture followed by 1/3 of the milk. Continue alternating between the flour and the milk, mixing just until the flour is incorporated. It’s ok if there is still some flour on the sides of the bowl. Do not over-mix.
4. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula and stir gently to incorporate the last of the flour. Add the diced pears all at once and fold them into the batter. Divide the batter between the muffin cups. The batter will fill the cups and mound slightly on top.
5. Place the muffin tin in the oven and immediately turn down the heat to 400°F. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan once in the middle of baking. The muffins are done with the tops looked cracked and toasted, and when a toothpick inserted in the middle of one of the muffins comes out clean.
6. Let the muffins cool enough to handle, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Leftover muffins can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or frozen for up to three months.
I am so very late in saying how happy I am with your news. What fantastic parents the two of you will be. I’m looking forward to being with you on this journey!!
What a delicious craving treat!
Best,
Bonnie
Muffins look great, and you are radiant!
The muffins sounds delicious and you look beautiful! What a blessing it is to be able to share your sister’s clothing now too. Have a beautiful weekend, Monet!
You’re so cute, preggers! You make such a glowing and healthy mommy! Your muffins look delicious, deary!
I’m just so excited for you Monet! You are going to be the most amazing mother, you have so much love. This baby is so lucky.
Congratulations! At 7 1/2 months pregnant with my first baby, I have to say I am happier than I ever remember. Yes, there are some parts of pregnancy that are less fun, but I am enjoying myself more than I ever thought was possible. I wish you the same joy, content and happiness that I am blessed with!
Somehow I missed the posting about the little one. Congratulations!
Hi Monet, congratulations to you. Wishing you all the best in your 2013. Lovely pendant. 🙂
Your muffin look great awesome, I love any thing with cinnamon.
Take care, have a nice weekend.Best regards.
Look at that belly! I love it! These muffins look so delightful. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Oh Monet! A huge congrats on your news! What a lovely pendant and these muffins look amazing. I will try to be a better blog follower and check in more often as the months progress!
What an exciting time of life!!! and these muffins look and sound fantastic – love the pear!!
Happy to follow you!
Mary x
Monet,
Your are one glowing, beautiful Momma-to- be. I am enjoying your journey. You and Ryan will be such wonderful parents.
Those pear look a healthy treat for you. I’ll have to try them soon.
Muffins are perfect anytime! Thank you for sharing these hearty muffins. Have a great week, my friend!
Those muffins sound delicious! We in orchard country and are surrounded by lots of delicious pears. I am going to try making these muffins soon! Also, congratulations on your pregnancy. You look great!
Oh my goodness, look at that beautiful baby bump! Enjoy every well-earned snack!
What better words for any food lover to say than, “I need to eat constantly.” Congratulations on on the pea in the pod and you look fantastic!
Tehe! Look at your tiny little belly 😛 These look awesome. Heat them up a little and a scoop of ice cream – genius!
Hi Monet, I ate all the time when I was pregnant too LOL You are looking great, and those pear muffins are definitely great for a pregnancy diet.
It’s really nice to see you so happy. You look so healthy too. So glad the pregnancy is progressing well and that you are being pampered. Love the pear and cinnamon muffins for any time really 🙂
Congratulations!
Those muffins looks and sound divine! A great treat.
Best wishes for 2013!
Cheers,
Rosa
I’m looking at my not-so-ripe-pears now and wishing they would ripen faster. Your happiness glows. And yes – you will treasure that pendant forever. Happy 2013, Monet! What a lovely year you have ahead of you!
Muffins are definitely an all-day food! (Although I hadn’t thought of having them for dessert with a little ice cream, mmm 😉 ). I LOVE the pic of you above – you are glowing!!
Sweet wishes for the New Year, Monet – it’s going to be radiant!
These muffins have got to be so moist and delicious! I would have never thought of adding ice cream and/or caramel sauce to a muffin to transform into a dessert, but what a great idea!
You make such a cute mommy-to-be…no surprise there! I’m just so excited for you!
What a lovely muffin! Congratulations on the new baby. 🙂
Hi Monet,
Congratulations!
Your muffins looks wonderful, perfect for snacking anytime of the day!
The pendant made by your hubby is really, really pretty!
I can see how blessed you are, with a loving hubby and baby on the way!
Thank you for stopping by!
Hope you have a delicious wonderful day!
Best wishes for 2013!
Oh that piece of jewelry is just SOOO sweet! I love it! How perfect for you!
These muffins do look rather delicious. Perfect to fill that perfect little baby bump
Hi Monet! Congratulations!!!
I’m so excited for you and Ryan;-)
What a sweet hand stitched keepsake from Ryan-you have so much to look forward to this year;-)
All my best wishes for a very Happy New Year and wonderful 2013;-)
Love your whole wheat pear muffins-wish we could share a few muffins and a cup of tea;-)
Take care my dear;-)
Congrats! So exciting! And you look as beautiful as ever! Happy New Year!!
Love, love, love the mama chick with her baby pendant! Such a wonderful gift! Tell Ryan that my mother loved the buffalo pendant that I gave her for Christmas! It was my favorite gift that I ave this year. So glad you shared those on your blog.
Happy New Year!
Love your pendant! You are looking so darn cute. I’m craving these muffins. They have to be the perfect breakfast, snack, dessert, snack, treat, snack. Haha just imagining the pregnancy and eating/craving schedule. Sounds like a healthy mom and baby!
Mmm…I love pears baked into muffins or cakes. And you look beautiful!
17 weeks (as of this post) amazing how fast the time is flying.
You look fantastic and it is indeed quite exciting when you start to show. Enjoy it 🙂
That necklace your husband made is beautiful. I would treasure something like that as well 🙂
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