Spiced Apple and Pear Muffins

It seems I am having a little bit of a dessert spree going on.... not really my fault, I have just been swinging that way. With summer soon coming to Finland, it means Apples and Pears are going to be in season as well. I love the crisp sweet flavour of apples and the soft juiciness of pears and they go together greatly. Sometimes our meals at home are pretty heavy, like potato based, pasta bakes or whatever and dessert just isn't always desirable especially if it is heavy or rich. These muffins are really light and refreshing.

These will make 8 large or 14 small muffins:-

2 eggs
100ml vegetable oil
180ml semi-skimmed milk
75g golden brown sugar
75g caster sugar
300g flour
2tsp baking powder
1tsp ground ginger
1tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
1 large apple, peeled and roughly chopped
1 large pear, peeled and roughly chopped
100ml maple (or golden) syrup

Start by preheating your oven to 200C then line your muffin tray with cases or just grease them. In a mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, oil and milk. Add the sugar and whisk until dissolved.
Sift the flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt into another bowl, add the egg mixture and combine together until all smooth. Add the apple and pear pieces and stir until all distributed.
Fill your muffin cases/tray two thirds of the way and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden (my large ones took 30 minutes). Take them out of the tray and place on a cooling rack.
While still warm prick the tops several times with a toothpick and then put some of the syrup over them. You can eat them straight away or save them in the fridge for up to 5 days.

A great snack, dessert or afternoon tea. Super delicious and easy to make.