Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pear and Granola Muffins

Mmmm. Muffin. Yummy, yummy pear muffin. Yummy, yummy HEALTHY pear muffin. This particular yummy yummy pear muffin has a crunchy granola topping that is a perfect foil to the soft and juicy pears inside. The low-fat yogurt that this recipe uses replaces much of the usual butter and makes the muffins super moist with a subtle tang. Whole-wheat flour is also a nice addition to make them even more wholesome. All around, some good stuff.


I've been enjoying these little guys in my lunches and for breakfast ... both of which are most often in the car, running to and from schools!  My community OT buddies know what I mean - sitting down to eat? What's that? I also brought 1/2 a dozen of these yummy little guys in to the hospital when I was doing some casual coverage and they got snapped up (doesn't that always make you feel so good?) with lots of requests for recipes. Bon appétit! 


Ingredients (Makes 12):
FOR MUFFINS
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup plain granola
1 cup of pears, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces



FOR GRANOLA CRISP TOPPING
(or use an additional 3/4 cup plain granola)
1/2 cup granola
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.


2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, yogurt, and butter. Make a well in the center of flour mixture. Add egg mixture to well, and mix in flour mixture until just combined. Gently fold in the granola and pears.


3. Make Granola Crisp Topping: In a bowl, toss together 1/2 cup granola, 1/4 cup each all-purpose flour and packed light-brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut 3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter into pieces; add to granola mixture, and rub in with fingertips until clumps form.


4. Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each 3/4 full. Sprinkle with granola topping. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from tin. Serve warm or at room temperature.



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