Perfect Pear and Vanilla Muffins Recipe

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 tsp. sea salt

2 large eggs

1 1/2 T. vanilla extract

1 T. lemon zest

1 cup lightly packed brown sugar

11 T. unsalted butter, melted

1 cup unsweetened applesauce or pear sauce

1 to 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced, for muffin tops

2 T. vanilla sugar, for muffin tops

 

Position an oven rack in middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease muffin pan or line with paper cups. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest and brown sugar until blended. Stir in the melted butter, a little at a time, whisking until mixture is creamy. Stir in the applesauce, then fold the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until just combined. Divide batter among muffin cups then lightly push a few slices of pear into the top of each muffin. Sprinkle tops with a dusting of vanilla sugar. Bake the muffins until risen and golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer the muffins to a cooling rack.