PEAR MUFFINS

I do love muffins.  They are quick to make and guilt-free treats, if made with the healthiest ingredients.  This is another recipe I came up with to use the abundant pears from our tree, but pears are relatively inexpensive to buy when they are in season.  I don't peel the pears, but you can if you wish.

 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat germ or wheat bran

1/4 cup ground flaxseed

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnnamon

1/8 teaspoon each ground allspice, nutmeg, and cloves

2 egg whites or one whole egg

1 cup fat free milk, soy, or almond milk

1/4 cup honey or agave

1/4 cup unsweetened apple or pear sauce

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla or pure orange extract (opt.)

2 medium pears, cored and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.  In another bowl, whisk together remaining (wet) ingredients, except pears.  Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.  Fold in pears.  Bake in oiled muffin tins 20 minutes, or until muffins test done.  Makes about 15 standard sized muffins.