Celebrate the holidays with a breakfast treat featuring sweet pears and tart cranberries. This recipe, which calls for oats and whole-wheat flour, provides more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than those made with refined flour alone. The addition of pumpkin and sunflower seeds also adds an unexpected crunch and provides heart-healthy fat. Just a hint of sweet cinnamon and brown sugar round out the flavors, making these tasty treats a great way to greet the morning.

Pear and Cranberry Muffins
Canola oil spray
½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
½ cup whole-wheat pastry flour
½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. quick-cooking oats, divided
½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. firmly packed dark brown sugar, divided
¾ tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ cup low fat milk
4 tsp. unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
4 canned pear halves (not in syrup), drained and diced*
¼ cup dried unsweetened cranberries
1 Tbsp. roasted pumpkin seeds
1 Tbsp. roasted sunflower seeds

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin tin with eight 2-inch cups with paper liners and coat them with cooking spray. Set aside.
In mixing bowl, whisk together flours, 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, allspice and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine the milk, butter, vanilla and egg. Pour wet ingredients into dry, mixing just until combined. Stir in the pears and cranberries. Divide batter among muffin cups.

In blender, chop pumpkin and sunflower seeds with remaining oats and sugar until it turns into a fine crumbly topping-like mixture. Sprinkle topping generously over the muffins.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes in pan, unmold, and serve muffins warm.
* May substitute 2 fresh pears, but make sure pears are very ripe. Makes 8 muffins.

For more information, contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service -Travis County at 512/854-9600. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service educational programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.