The perfect pear.

It’s crazy how many people celebrate their birthday in October. I have 6 immediate friends and family members. I guess January is just such a cold and boring month. Sorry, my mind wandered off. Back to birthday, you dirty mind! So what to give to so many people without overdoing my budget? Well muffins are always a good idea. And delicious ones even better. I can’t tell you to how many birthday (picnic) celebrations I’ve been where people brought muffins and you had to almost cough after every bite. I don’t want to be mean but seriously: how?! Why?! What?! It doesn’t get easier than muffins: go heavy on butter & milk, add some chocolate and one ingredient that sets it apart from all the other muffins. Voilá. If you find yourself in the situation looking for a muffin recipe just like explained, look no further: The chocolate pear muffins are made in no time and definitely a runner at every party (make sure to double the batter).

All you need is:
– 120 g butter (room temperature, you know the drill)
– 120 g brown sugar
– 2 eggs
– 100 g flour
– 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 2 tsp cacao powder
– 3 Tbsp milk
– 2 pears (the tinned ones work as well)

Preheat the oven to 190 ° C. Mix the butter with the sugar in a bowl and mix until smooth (the warmer the butter, the easier) and add the eggs afterwards. Beat until it becomes a light yellow and smooth texture. Add the dry ingredients (flour, baking and cacao powder) and the milk. Mix well and put the batter in a muffin form (lined with paper forms of course). Cut the pear in slices and add 2 slices to the top of every muffin. Bake for 20 mins. That’s it. Told you it’s made in no time.

The fox in the background is actually a tea towel that I bought at a local handmade market from a Hungarian designer called Moringa. Isn’t it cute? You know how much I like foxes… And of course support a small designer.

Remember when I told you that pear and chocolate are a pair made in heaven?! Still true.

I added a little powder sugar just to make them look nicer. I sometimes have the feeling that muffins are the uglier older brother of pretty cupcakes. I always feel bad for the muffins afterwards and try to come up with recipes that make them look nice and appealing. I think these do. It’s a shame I had to share them.

Best served slightly warm with a little beaten cream on top. A girl has to try what she created to make sure I can expect other to eat them too. Right? I thought so.

Now. Carry on!