9.17.2012

Pear Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting


Another pear recipe. I hope you don't mind, but I adore pears; along with apples, they remind me of fall, something we don't see a lot of in South Florida, so I make lots of apple, pear and pumpkin recipes this time of year. Just to get in a fall mood, you understand. 


A few years ago, I made and posted a fabulous chilled pear soup with goat cheese fritters which called for Poire William in the recipe. I was hooked on this sweet pear liqueur and this recipe provided a perfect opportunity to use it again. I added it to the pears when they were stewing.

These cupcakes were sooooooo good. Company perfect. I froze most of them so I wouldn't pig out! And then I found myself dipping into the freezer. Bad me. And I'm dieting too.  :(
I found them on Pinterest and the recipe seems to have come from Jaime via TasteSpotting.

Pear Spice Cupcakes
Adapted slightly from TasteSpotting


Ingredients:
2 ripe pears, peeled and cut in chunks
1 heaping tablespoon Poire William (optional)
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup flour
cream cheese frosting (recipe follows)

Method:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a standard muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, combine pear chunks and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the pears soften and break apart. You can help them along by smashing them with a potato masher, or just cook until they get soft on their own. Measure out 3/4 cup of pear sauce and set aside to cool.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, the remainder of the granulated sugar, and the brown sugar. Mix on high until light and fluffy. Add in egg, and beat well. Add in vanilla, and beat on medium high speed for 4 minutes. Mix in sour cream.
In a small bowl, combine spices, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients to butter and sugar mixture. Mix until just incorporated. Stir in reserved pear sauce. Divide evenly among the paper liners and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center cupcakes comes out clean.

(My father used to say: "Have a little cupcake with your frosting, Barbara.")  

:)


Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method:

Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

30 comments:

  1. Pears a re a fave of mine..and Poire William of Jacques' ..These indeed look and sound delicious..I will bookmark for certain.Thank you!

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  2. Until a few years ago pears were not on the top of my list, and then I tasted a pear ripe from the tree, dripping down the arm juicy and my world changed.

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  3. Lovely and with just the right amount of frosting!! = )
    Our weather is getting cooler and crisper. The shadows are getting longer. It is time for fall foods!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. Wonderful flavors and cupcakes! An autumnal treat.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. I am ready for pear season. These look fabulous, but you're smart to freeze some. Out of sight, out of mind. Otherwise, they would be in my mouth.
    Sam

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  6. Barbara, I love the texture of your cupcakes. They are photogenic and I suspect scrumptious. I'm a fan of pears but they are coming late to market this year, so it will be a few weeks before I can try it. I've bookmarked this recipe and plan to try it. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  7. Another I'm going to have to try... weekend after next.

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  8. I remember those days of making up ways to feel like "fall is in the air" when I lived in So. Fla. This looks like a brilliant way to do it.

    So, even though it was 37 here this morning (brrr...) I'm going to use your cupcakes to get my fall mojo in motion...

    xxoo,

    RMW

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  9. I love pears anything even more than I do apples. I look forward to this time of the year when they become available

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  10. I also am a big fan of the lovely pear.

    These cupcakes look so adorable & that maple cream cheese frosting must tastes divine too! :)

    Yummy Yum, I reckon!

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  11. Can never have too many pears my friend, especially when you use it so deliciously :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  12. this makes me want to run to the grocery store for pears right now. what a treat!

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  13. I'm loving the texture of your cupcakes, Barbara! They look absolutely scrumptious!

    Hugs <3

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  14. I love baking with pears and apples too. These cupcakes look wonderful, and I can't wait to try them!

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  15. Pears are my favourite fruit to bake with! This cupcake looks so moist and delicious with the maple cream cheese frosting. What a delightful combination of flavours.

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  16. Pears are starting to show up at my market!

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  17. Barbara I am on a diet too! They are sinful! I would camp near my freezer if these were inside it!

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  18. I love pears and don't cook/bake with them nearly enough. I love the idea of these cupcakes with nice fall spices :)

    Sues

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  19. love the maple frosting, but this makes me wonder why i so blatantly ignore the humble pear in my baking adventures! :)

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  20. I think pears don't get a fair shake when it comes to baking. Personally, I adore the combination of pears and oats just as much as apples and oats. And since Apples are looking like they are going to be difficult to find this year, I'm saving all the pear recipes I can. Your muffins are looking delectable Barbara. I'll be saving this for sure!!! I'm just wondering though why National Pear Month is in December, lol...

    Thanks for sharing...

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  21. THIS frosting is my absolute FAVORITE Barbara! And do you know what it goes really great on?????

    A BAKED SWEET POTATO, I kid you NOT.

    Try it, with a cup of coffee or tea....ooooooooo!

    If I eat too much of that however, I could never fit into one of those tight gowns, but I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT SO....off to buy some sweet potatoes!!!

    Thank you for coming to visit sweet friend! Anita

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  22. This look well worth breaking a diet for, Barbara! I love pear desserts and the cream cheese frosting sounds so delicious to eat with a little cupcake :)

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  23. I really enjoy pears too. I can easily understand why you kept reaching into the freezer. You are better behaved than I am. I would have skipped the freezer and just kept eating (laugh).

    Velva

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  24. Hi There, Wow...this recipe is looking wonderful and so good. I'm loving it so much...!!! A very well made post with beautiful pictures.Today I was out of ideas and was wandering what to make. Got the answer now :) I can't wait to try it on my island. Thanks for sharing awesome recipes. Have a wonderful week ahead. Love & Regards, Sonia !!!

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  25. I wish I could find pears!

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  26. Oooh, this is a lovely recipe, Barbara! The spices with the pears sound like magic...and topped with that maple cream cheese frosting? I'd be dipping into the freezer too, lol!

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  27. I do that too, I'll put things in the freezer so as not to tempt myself but it never works! Ah well...

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  28. These cupcakes look wonderful…I love baking with pears…and also adore them and apples, too! Perfect for fall baking.

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  29. I like pears too, and in a cupcake, who can resist? I have to say it's really the frosting here that kills me. Must make these this fall!

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  30. Yes obviously, you really love pears and apple. I've notice it in your blogs. I love it too.

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