Spiced Bakery Style Ginger Pear Muffins

These Bakery Style Spiced Ginger Pear Muffins have a delicate, tender crumb with lots of deliciously bright ginger and pear flavor and hints of brown sugar and Chinese 5-Spice. Definitely not too sweet… Perfect with coffee or tea for breakfast or brunch, or sharing any time of day!

What You’ll Need

• Unbleached all-purpose flour
• Whole wheat flour
• Brown sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Chinese 5-Spice or Cinnamon
• Butter or coconut oil
• Plain Greek yogurt
• An egg
• Fresh ginger
• A large pear

Here’s The Story

My favorite recipes are the ones that come from friends. Suffice it to say that there are no shortages of recipes from friends in the blogging community.

This recipe for Spiced Ginger Pear Muffins is a perfect example. I got it from Madi who has a lovely blog called Mildly Meandering. When I first saw her muffin recipe last fall, I wanted to try them right away. I absolutely love big, fruit-filled muffins – and pears and ginger are two of my favorite flavors – so I knew I’d love Madi’s recipe.

I made these muffins when a blog group I belonged to had seasonal “events” called Freaky Friday. For the event, participating bloggers are paired with others in the group, and we choose recipes to make from each other’s blogs. No one except for the group’s organizer knows who is paired with whom.

Everyone finds out what everyone else is making on Freaky Friday. This is the second event that I’ve participated in with this wonderfully creative group. And I have to say it’s a bit like opening presents on Christmas morning when we finally get to find out who is making what from which blogger’s recipes. There are lots of really good dishes in this round… Scroll down to see the entire list of recipe below!

Last time, I made Mexican Wedding Cookies. They’re one of my favorite holiday cookies, so I was thrilled to have an “excuse” to make them! This time, I knew instantly what I was going to make when I found out that I was assigned to Madi’s blog. Her Ginger Pear Muffins were finally going to have their day in my kitchen!

Madi lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She enjoys traveling – something we can all relate to. She’s a girl after my own heart, and she features her light, delicious recipes on her blog for the rest of us to enjoy, too!

But for now, let’s talk more about these Spiced Ginger Pear Muffins!

What’s To Love

I enjoy something sweet with my coffee each morning, but not too sweet. These Spiced Ginger Pear Muffins fit the bill perfectly because they have just a touch of sweetness that allows the wonderful ginger and pear flavors to shine.

Madi’s recipe calls for nutmeg, but I used Chinese 5-Spice in my batches for even more gingery goodness. I used it in my Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries, Golden Raisins and Five Spice several years ago, and it’s been one of my favorite spice blends ever since.

Because Madi suggested using coconut oil or butter, I decided to make two batches for a taste comparison. (I also had a bunch of people to share the muffins with, so this was the perfect opportunity to make more!) There is just a slight difference in the flavor in the muffins made with coconut oil versus butter, but you really have to focus on figuring it out. They’re both delicious, so it really comes down to what you personally prefer or have on hand.

Either way, if you enjoy big tender muffins studded with chunks of fruit throughout, you’re going to love these Ginger Pear Muffins!

Enjoy!

Print

Spiced Bakery Style Ginger Pear Muffins

These Bakery Style Spiced Ginger Pear Muffins have a delicate, tender crumb with lots of deliciously bright ginger and pear flavor and hints of brown sugar and Chinese 5-Spice. Definitely not too sweet... Perfect with coffee or tea for breakfast or brunch, or sharing any time of day!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 12

Author Michele Phillips, BaconFatte.com

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. Chinese 5-Spice (or Nutmeg, or Cinnamon)
• ¼ cup butter or coconut oil, melted & slightly cooled
• ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 egg room temp
• 1 Tbsp fresh ginger grated
• 1 large pear finely chopped (about 1½ cups)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with muffin liners or use a baking spray to coat the cups.

3. In a large mixing bowl, add the all-purpose and whole wheat flours, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and 5-Spice (or other spice), and whisk to combine.

4. In a smaller bowl, add melted butter or coconut oil, yogurt, egg, and ginger, and stir to combine.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir until just combined. Mixture will be very thick – almost like a dough. Add the pears to the mix, and fold into the batter.
6. Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups. Place them in the oven and then turn the heat down to 400 – this helps to ensure that the muffins will have nicely domed tops. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
7. Store in an airtight container. Refrigerate overnight or up to two days. Enjoy at room temperature or warmed in the microwave.

Making this Spiced Ginger Pear Muffin recipe?

I’d love to see what you make! Leave a note here in the comments below, or share your creations on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure to hashtag #baconfatte or tag @baconfatte in your social media posts!

CHECK OUT THE OTHER RECIPES MADE FOR THIS WINTER ROUND OF FREAKY FRIDAY:

A Dish of Daily Life – Cucumber Salsa

An Affair from the Heart – Arancini (Three Cheese Fried Risotto Balls)

A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures – Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip

Bacon Fatte – Spiced Bakery Style Ginger Pear Muffins

Bowl Me Over – Beef Tips and Gravy

The Devilish Dish – Chocolate Covered Snickers Strawberries

Full Belly Sisters – Easy Crockpot Cesar Chicken

LeMoine Family Kitchen – Frittata Ranchera Black Bean Salad

Life Currents – Garlic Sesame Noodles

Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Low Carb Cheeseburger Meatloaf 

Mildly Meandering – Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana Soup

Plattertalk – Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Seduction in the Kitchen – Reuben Meatball Casserole

Take Two Tapas – BLT Bacon Cups with Avocado

The Foodie Affair – Pineapple Bread Pudding

West Via Midwest – Spicy Smoke Sauced Shrimp

Who Needs a Cape? – Cheez-It Fiesta Baked Chicken

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