VANILLA PEAR MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease 14 standard muffin cups with butter or butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray; fill the unused cups 1/3 full with water to prevent warping.
• Topping--stir together the sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside.
• Muffins--in a bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until blended.
• Add the dry ingredients, stirring just until evenly moistened.
• The batter will be slightly lumpy.
• Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the pears and walnuts just until evenly distributed, no more than a few strokes.
• Take care not to break up the fruit; no not overmix.
• Spoon the batter into each muffin cup, filling it level with the rim.
• Sprinkle the muffins with the topping, dividing it evenly.
• Bake until golden, dry, and springy to the touch, 20-25 minutes.
• A pick inserted into the center of a muffin should come out clean.
• Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Unmold the muffins; serve them warm or at room temperature, with butter.