Ginger Pear Muffins

These muffins have been on my "to-do" list for about 4 months now. I tore the recipe out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. They were delicious. They were not too sweet, but just right. They also had a great spice flavor which paired fabulously with a cup of coffee!!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2/3 cup mild-flavor molasses

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup boiling water

2 small pears, cut in wedges each

3 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate broken in small pieces

raw sugar, optional

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly coat twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and flour.

2. In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In a second bowl whisk together molasses, butter, brown sugar, and egg. Pour into flour mixture. Stir until combined. Whisk in boiling water. Divide evenly among muffin cups. Add 1 pear wedge to each muffin, press lightly.

3. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Sprinkle with raw sugar. Add chocolate piece to top of muffins. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Use table knife to smooth melted chocolate. Remove from cups. Cool completely on wire rack. Makes 12.

Also, I didn't have raw sugar to sprinkle on top, but I think it makes a huge difference on the presentation if you do add it!

Fresh Apple Cake

I went home last weekend to spend time with my friends and family. Saturday afternoon, Dad must have been craving something sweet, because he asked me if I wanted one of his fresh apple cakes. Little did I know, he was really asking me to make it. He grabs the church recipe book and pulls up his favorite fresh apple cake recipe. He asked me to start making the cake while he ran to the store to buy the apples. I suppose this cake was a team effort. I put everything together and Dad cut up the apples and mixed the nuts and apples in the batter. It turned out pretty tasty and paired nicely with a cup of coffee.

Fresh Apple Cake Recipe:

Blend in a bowl:
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla

Add and mix well:
3 cups diced apples
1 cup chopped nuts
3 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Pour mixture into greased and floured tube pan. Bake for 1 hour and 10
minutes at 325 degrees.