Pear Vanilla Muffins

Since it’s officially fall, I give you pear muffins. These are moist, heavy on the vanilla, and get additional flavor from the zest of an orange. The light brown sugar adds a caramel sweetness you can’t get from granulated sugar. These pear muffins are worth rolling up your sleeves for!

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/12 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large pears, thinly sliced

1. Preheat oven to 400º. Line two muffin pans with 14 papers.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt together.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the eggs, vanilla, orange zest, brown sugar, butter, oil, and applesauce. Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin papers, and fan three slices of the pear on top of each. Bake for 20 minutes, muffins should be lightly golden – test with a toothpick. Serve at room temperature.