Rustic Maple Spiced Pear Muffins

To say that I love muffins is quite an understatement.  I am obsessed.  I feel like they make the perfect breakfast or snack.  These muffins are easy to make and also pretty healthy to boot.  So whip up a batch for you and your family and watch them disappear.

Looks so good you can almost smell them...

Rustic Maple Spiced Pear Muffins
makes one dozen

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup olive oil

2 eggs

1 1/4  cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup greek yogurt

2 pears diced into small cubes (I've also made this with apples with wonderful results)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and while its heating up, grease your muffin tin and then chop up your pears into a fine dice. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and salt.

In the bowl of your mixer put the brown sugar, maple syrup and eggs.  Beat on medium speed until well blended.  Add olive oil and vanilla.  Mix for an additional minute or so.  In a large liquid measuring cup, mix together the milk and yogurt and set aside.

Add the flour in thirds alternating with the milk/yogurt mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Fold in the pears with a spatula.

 Place into your greased (or paper lined) muffin tin right to the top and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Place in the oven and immediately turn it down to 400 degrees.  Bake for 16 to 20 minutes.  When the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, they are done.   Let cool on a rack for five minutes then carefully remove.  Careful, they will still be hot.  Let cool completely and then enjoy!

These freeze wonderfully.  I usually make a double batch and freeze one dozen.  To heat up, just place in the microwave for 20 seconds and your good to go!