Ginger Pear Muffins with Honey Glaze

by Haley // December 20, 2014 (updated December 14, 2022)

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These muffins are easy to make—no mixer required! Ginger and a honey glaze add lots of flavor to ginger pear muffins. They are tender, sweet and absolutely delicious!

Two ginger pear muffins with glaze next to brown pear.

Ginger pear muffins are a simple, yet incredibly flavorful breakfast treat. The pears add bits of sweet fruit dispersed throughout each muffin, which is complemented by the ginger in the batter. The only thing that could make these muffins better is the honey glaze on top! I use a similar glaze for my honey bun cake.

Table of Contents

Why this recipe works

The flavor pairings are the best part of this recipe. Pears, ginger and honey complement each other beautifully. This recipe is also incredibly easy to make (no mixer required!) and a good use for pears if you have a bunch!

Ingredient notes

ginger pear muffin ingredients labeled with text

Pears: Take a break from apples and try out pears in your baked goods!
Sour cream: This is a great ingredient to use when baking. It adds more moisture than simply using milk.
Ginger: This is sometimes an under-utilized spice in baking. Ginger adds a zest that pairs well with the blank canvas of pears.
Sugar: Both brown and white sugars are used here to add a complex flavor, and I also include a touch of honey.
Glaze: You could leave it off, but I think the honey glaze takes these muffins over the top.

Recipe variations

Up the ginger flavor by adding 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger to the mix. Peel the ginger with a food peeler and grate it on a small grate. Mix it in with the wet ingredients.

For a larger batch of muffins, you can double this recipe and get 24 servings. You can also halve the recipe to yield a half dozen. To make mini muffins, fill the cups of a mini muffin tin 2/3 full and bake for about 8 minutes. This will yield about 36 mini muffins.

How to make ginger pear muffins

Whisk together dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, ground ginger, sugar and brown sugar. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients—vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs and honey.
Combine wet and dry ingredients, then stir in chopped pears.

Two photo collage demonstrating how to top muffins with brown sugar and honey glaze.

Divide batter evenly in a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Sprinkle additional brown sugar on top.
Bake muffins at 400 F for 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before adding glaze. Whisk glaze ingredients together and use a spoon to drizzle over muffins.

Expert tips

There are three rules of thumb I follow teach you how to make muffins fluffy. Follow these tips and you’ll have success!

First, bring all ingredients to room temperature. This helps the wet ingredients trap air, which expands in the oven. Second, bake muffins in a hot oven (400 F). A hot oven gives muffins a rapid rise to make them bigger and fluffier.

Lastly, mix ingredients just until combined. Over mixing the batter will make the muffins dense and heavy instead of light and fluffy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pears are best to bake with?

I suggest Bartlett pears, but Bosc and Anjou pears work well too. These varieties will hold their shape and texture the best.

How to store pear muffins:

Muffins are best when eaten the day they are baked, but may be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

Can you freeze ginger pear muffins?

Yes (without glaze). Once the muffins have cooled, place them in an airtight container or freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature.