Moist Pear & Ginger Delight Muffins
Indulge in the delightful combination of moisture-rich fresh pears and the concentrated flavor of dried pears in these vibrant muffins. Enhanced by the warm, spicy notes of ginger, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat any time of the day. Whether you choose to add ginger for that extra zing or prefer a more subtle flavor, these muffins are sure to satisfy your cravings and elevate your baking repertoire. Simple to make but bursting with flavor, this recipe is a beloved classic recreated from Starbucks' Passion for Coffee book, making it a must-try for any baking enthusiast.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried pear halves
4 ounces (soaked and chopped)
ripe pear (Bosc, Bartlett, Anjou)
1 (peeled, cored, and chopped)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (none)
baking powder
2 teaspoons (none)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (none)
eggs
2 (beaten)
sugar
2/3 cup (none)
milk
1/2 cup (none)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
unsalted butter
1/3 cup (melted)
ginger in syrup or candied ginger
1/2 cup (very finely chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a muffin tin by greasing it lightly or lining it with muffin liners.
2
In a small bowl, place the dried pear halves and cover them with boiling water. Allow them to soak for 15 minutes to rehydrate.
3
After soaking, drain the dried pears, pat them dry with a paper towel, and chop them into small pieces, approximately 1/2 inch in size.
4
Meanwhile, peel and core the fresh pear, cutting it into similar sized pieces as the dried pears.
5
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg. Whisk the dry ingredients together until well blended.
6
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and melted unsalted butter until smooth. Add in both the chopped fresh and dried pears, along with the ginger (if using). Mix until evenly distributed.
7
Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a lumpy batter is ideal for fluffy muffins.
8
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full to allow for rising.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Moist Pear & Ginger Delight Muffins?
They are vibrant muffins that combine fresh and dried pears with warm ginger notes, perfect for breakfast or a snack.
What kind of fresh pears should I use?
You can use Ripe Bosc, Bartlett, or Anjou pears for the fresh portion of the recipe.
How long do I need to soak the dried pears?
You should soak the dried pear halves in boiling water for 15 minutes to rehydrate them.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How do I prepare the dried pears after soaking?
Drain the pears, pat them dry with a paper towel, and chop them into pieces approximately 1/2 inch in size.
Can I use candied ginger in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe allows for either ginger in syrup or candied ginger, provided it is very finely chopped.
What size should the fresh pear pieces be?
The fresh pear should be peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch pieces, similar to the dried pears.
How long do the muffins need to bake?
The muffins should bake for approximately 20 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
What dry ingredients are required?
The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground nutmeg.
How do I know when the muffins are finished baking?
They are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Should the muffin tin be greased?
Yes, you should either grease the muffin tin lightly or line it with muffin liners before filling.
How many eggs are used in this recipe?
This recipe requires 2 beaten eggs.
What provides the warm notes in these muffins?
Ground nutmeg and ginger provide the warm, spicy flavor profile.
How much flour is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What type of butter is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter.
How full should I fill the muffin cups?
Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full to allow the batter enough room to rise.
Why is it important not to overmix the batter?
A lumpy batter is ideal because overmixing can prevent the muffins from being light and fluffy.
How long should the muffins cool in the tin?
Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
What makes these muffins particularly moist?
The combination of moisture-rich fresh pears and rehydrated dried pears makes these muffins very moist.
Is this recipe based on a specific source?
Yes, this recipe is a beloved classic recreated from the Starbucks Passion for Coffee book.
How do I combine the dry and wet ingredients?
Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until they are just combined.
Do I need to peel the fresh pear?
Yes, the instructions state to peel and core the fresh pear before cutting it into pieces.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients listed for this recipe.
How much sugar is required for the batter?
The recipe requires 2/3 cup of sugar.
Can I leave the ginger out?
Yes, the ginger is optional if you prefer a more subtle pear flavor without the extra zing.
What amount of baking powder is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
What amount of baking soda is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare your muffin tin.
When should I add the pears to the mixture?
The pears should be mixed into the wet ingredients (eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, butter) before the dry ingredients are folded in.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.