Gluten-Free Healthy Pear Muffins

Recipe courtesy of U.S.A. Pears.

Recipe Ingredients:

3 ripe USA Pears, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 cup brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups superfine brown rice flour
1/2 cup potato starch
1/4 cup flax seed meal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher or superfine sea salt
1/2 cup grapeseed or light olive oil

Optional Toppings:
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup granulated sugar (preferably organic)

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 24 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Place the pears in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the brown sugar, packed and purée. Add the remaining ingredients (except the toppings) and process to combine, scraping down the bowl of the food processor once. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
3. If desired, sprinkle the almonds on top of the batter and sprinkle with a little sugar. (To intensify the flavor of the almonds you can toast them in a dry pan over high heat for a few minutes, just until toasted and fragrant.)
4. Bake for 25 minutes or until the muffins have risen and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (These muffins don't get too brown.) Let cool in the pan.

Makes 24 muffins.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of U.S.A. Pears.