Asian Pear and Date Muffins for #MuffinMonday
Welcome to my first #MuffinMonday post for 2013. Today’s muffin is like none that I’ve ever made before. It’s actually quite interesting. The ingredients are absolutely fantastic and healthy. Our recipe today is adapted from The Free Range Cook by Annabel Langbein and Ooh-Look Food & Craft.
Allow me to say it before you do. These aren’t the cutest muffins. I think I put too many pieces of pear on the batter. But I’ll tell you this…where these muffin lack in looks, they more than make up for it in taste! Looking back, I can think of a few other ways I could have done them. But they came out great! These muffins are nothing short interesting and leave you wanting for another bite. The dates give them such a deep flavour and the texture – so very moist.
I didn’t do a lot of changes to the recipe really. I was very interested in the technique. I replaced regular flour with Spelt flour and used Asian pear instead of a regular pear. Asian Pear is high in fiber, rich in vitamin C, and helps lower blood cholesterol. Dates are excellent sources of fiber and protein.
You will notice that in future posts, that I will be making less muffins. I found that making 12-18 muffins was too much for my little family. I think it would benefit us more if I cut back on the quantity. I also decided to use my kitchen scale more often. There are so many recipes that I end up dismissing because I would have to do conversions. Change is good.
Asian Pear and Date Muffins
- 88g (About 5 pitted dates)
- 250lm/1 Cup Water
- ½ Tsp Baking Soda
- 30g Butter, cold and diced
- 125g Brown Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 88g Spelt Flour
- 1¼ Tsp Baking Powder
- ½ Tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ Tsp Ginger
- 1 Asian Pear, peeled and diced into small pieces
- 1 Tbsp Turbinado Sugar
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Line a muffin pan with 9 paper liners
- In a large pot (this will essentially be your mixing bowl), place dates, baking soda and water. Boil for about 10 minutes until the liquid will foam a bit and the dates will break down. Stir until a thick liquid is formed.
- Remove the pot from the heat source and add the butter. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Add the vanilla, sugar and egg. Whisk to incorporate.
- Fold in the flour
- This will yield about 2¼ Cups of batter
- Pour the batter into each muffin cup and then add a few pieces of pear in the centre. Sprinkle with Turbinado sugar
- Bake for 2 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean
- These muffins are best served warm
I love the fact that I only used one pot. There’s no sifting of dry ingredients in a separate bowl for this recipe, friends! Very easy and healthy. Feel free to cut back on the sugar if needed. I found that it was a bit on the sweet side but it didn’t bother me. Next time I will reduce the sugar.
Date batter, batter in muffin liners, Asian pear on top of the batter
A very delicious treat! These muffins were enjoyed by my family and I’m so glad that this was our #MuffinMonday selection today!
Asian Pear and Date Muffins
Have an amazing week!
~Lyn
Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.
Muffin Monday: http://bakerstreet.tv/muffin-monday/
Muffin 101: http://bakerstreet.tv/muffin-monday/muffin-101/
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I don’t think you put too many pears on at all. The batter puffed up all around them and the muffins look delicious! I have solved the too-many-muffins problem by sending them in with my husband each week. I get to bake. We don’t have to eat them all. And everyone is happy!
Stacy recently posted..Apple Raisin Almond Muffins for #MuffinMonday
Well thanks, Stacy! I have sent muffins with the hubby but he’s a shift worker so my baking doesn’t always coincide with his shifts lol! Always appreciate your comments, Stacy!
lovelypantry recently posted..Asian Pear and Date Muffins for #MuffinMonday
Mmmm – Love your Asian twist 🙂
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..Monday Muster & Kale Chips
Ah! thanks CJ!
lovelypantry recently posted..Asian Pear and Date Muffins for #MuffinMonday
I say the more pears the better! These look lovely and I don’t think there are too many at all. Love that you used Asian pears. So yummy!
Kate | Food Babbles recently posted..Ginger Pear Muffins – #MuffinMonday
I feel so much better now, Kate! Thank you!!! We love Asian Pears, so crunchy!
lovelypantry recently posted..Asian Pear and Date Muffins for #MuffinMonday
What a yummy combination…pears and dates! I seem to overload my baked good with fruit, too…but they’re always extra moist 🙂
Liz recently posted..Twix Bars…#TwoSweetiePies
Moist is good!!! These were very good!
lovelypantry recently posted..Asian Pear and Date Muffins for #MuffinMonday
These look so tender..and I love the natural sweetness from the dates. Must have these for breakfast =)
I simply adore these beautiful soft and delicious muffins 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru