Muffins

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Jack: How can you sit there, calmly eating muffins when we are in this horrible trouble, I can't make out. You seem to me to be perfectly heartless.

Algernon: Well, I can't eat muffins in an agitated manner. The butter would probably get on my cuffs. One should always eat muffins quite calmly. It is the only way to eat them.

- from The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde

I don't butter my muffins, so I don't have to worry about getting my cuffs greasy. And I hope this doesn't make me heartless, but I think muffins are always a good choice, regardless of whether I'm calm or agitated. Somehow they've acquired the guise of a quasi-healthy food, and I'm sticking with it.

This muffin recipe is a perfect example. The pears and chocolate chips add sweetness, but not as much as if I'd made cookies. I wouldn't eat cookies for breakfast (okay, I might, but I try not to make a habit of it) whereas eating muffins for breakfast - or snack, or dessert - seems perfectly legitimate. And while it's important to be earnest, it's even more important to eat your muffins with pleasure. In fact, it is the only way to eat them.


Pear Chocolate Chunk muffins
(adapted from The Jewish Week

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 – 2 firm, ripe pears, diced (to make 2/3 cup in total)
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine oil and sugar in a medium bowl and mix well.  Stir in the egg, and add diced pears and vanilla. Combine well. Stir in both flours, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and stir just until combined. Add chocolate chunks.

Divide the mixture between about 8 lined muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for five minutes and remove from the pan to cool completely.


26 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Wow! Sounds delicious. I think I need to get some pears and chocolate chunks.

Julie said...

What a delicious variety of muffin. I have pears in the freezer, these could be in future!!

Valerie Gamine said...

Sage advice. :D
These muffins look suitable for every mood - love the chocolate/pear combo!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Ooh, these look terrific, Beth! I haven't baked with pears in eons. And I'd eat these whether calm or agitated :)

Anonymous said...

I have not made muffins with pears but I know this just has to be delicious and almost healthy, right?...wink wink as it does have fruit in it. I think these muffins would take all the worry and agitation away.

scrambledhenfruit said...

Lovely breakfast, and I'm quite sure I'd eat them in earnest. :)

Angie's Recipes said...

These muffins look wonderful! I love the add of pears.

Daniela Grimburg said...

These muffins look so tempting!
I confess I could eat them anytime - breakfast,lunch, tea and dinner :)
Love the Oscar Wilde quote, just delightful.

Belinda said...

Never though to use pears...but I'm down for it!

Anonymous said...

Those look and sound delicious!

Chocolate Shavings said...

Pear and chocolate is a combo I can never get enough of -- yum!

grace said...

i've never even considered buttering a muffin but i can imagine that in days past they needed a little boost. i like your flavor combination here, beth--it's not one i see very often!

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Oh yes, muffins are perfectly legitimate breakfast food. (I always butter them.) This is a flavor I've never had. Think I'll give these a try! Thanks, Beth.

Jemi Fraser said...

I don't think I've ever had pear muffins before - although I love both pears and muffins! Thanks :)

Bonnie said...

Beth, I love muffins and scones. And, I do like a spot of butter. There is nothing better than a muffin for breakfast....oh I love them for an afternoon snack with tea as well. Thanks for the recipe. Bonnie

Unknown said...

So funny, I just saw a pear and chocolate cake and it looked so good. I've never had pear and chocolate but I think that's about to change! Yum, Beth!

Katerina said...

Although pear and chocolate match very well, we do not get to see this combination very often. I love the idea of putting them together in these muffins!

lisa is cooking said...

Pears and chocolate make a great combination! And, I agree, they're always a great choice.

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

I would definitely eat these muffins with pleasure - they look absolutely amazing! What a great combination of flavors.

Juliana said...

Pear and chocolate? Sounds and looks delicious Beth, I need to try this combination.
Have a great week :D

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, you are absolutely right - pears and dark chocolate are wonderful together - I made a pear and chocolate crostata a few times and we love the combination. Your muffin recipe sounds delightful - perfect for the season!

Vi said...

Mmm! I love chocolate chip muffins and the pears are a wonderful addition!

Kitchen Riffs said...

I've never met a muffin I didn't like! And I've never seen a performance of The Importance of Being Ernest that I didn't love! Such a funny play. What I haven't had, though, is a pear muffin. Love the idea! And with chocolate? Sold!

Caroline Taylor said...

I've never made muffins, these sound great.

Christy said...

Terrific muffins, and love The Importance of Being Ernest!

Catherine said...

They look great. It must be good with pears! I will have a try.

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