Autumn Pear Mini Muffins

Today we're celebrating PEARS in the Fall Fruits Festival. My contribution, Autumn Pear Mini Muffins, are in the oven right now! I realized that pears weren't a common ingredient in any of my recipes, so I searched for several to try. These mini muffins were on the Family Fun website and were simple to make. I added mini chocolate chips to the second batch of muffins and think they add more yumminess to the subtle pear flavor. I wonder if the flavors will intensify the next day, so in the name of "have to know," I will set a few aside to have for breakfast tomorrow morning.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 16 oz. can of pears, drained and finely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degress. Line the muffin tin with paper liners. In a medium-sized bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt.

2. In a large bowl, blend the buttermilk, oil, egg and brown sugar. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until combined. Fold in the pears. Fill the cups 2/3 of the way up. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden.