Irresistible Vegan Cinnamon Pear Muffins with Streusel Topping: Your Perfect Autumn Baking Project!

Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these truly irresistible vegan cinnamon pear muffins. Each bite offers a delightful combination of a super soft, moist, and fluffy interior, generously packed with juicy pear chunks, a warming cinnamon spice, and crowned with an optional yet highly recommended crisp streusel topping. These muffins aren’t just a treat; they’re a celebration of seasonal produce, perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a sweet indulgence any time of day.

These vegan cinnamon pear muffins are not only light, fluffy, and incredibly moist, but they also boast those desirable tall, bakery-style muffin tops that are a hallmark of a perfectly baked muffin. They’re wonderfully moreish and make for an ideal snack when you’re craving something sweet and comforting. What’s even better is how quick and straightforward they are to prepare, relying mostly on basic pantry staples. All you really need to pick up from the store are some ripe pears (or apples if you prefer) and a non-dairy yogurt.

The enchanting aroma of warm cinnamon fills your kitchen as these muffins bake, hinting at the deliciousness within. Each muffin is generously studded with tender, juicy pear pieces, offering a delightful textural contrast. And for that extra layer of indulgence, the optional cinnamon streusel topping adds a wonderful crunch and an additional burst of spiced sweetness. Without a doubt, these are the ultimate autumn muffin, capturing the essence of the season in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Cinnamon Pear Muffins

There are countless reasons to fall in love with these delightful muffins. Beyond their incredible taste and texture, they offer a host of benefits that make them a go-to recipe for any baker, whether you’re new to vegan baking or a seasoned pro:

• Perfectly Vegan: Made entirely without animal products, these muffins are suitable for vegans, those with dairy or egg allergies, or anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based treats into their diet.
• Easy & Quick to Make: With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these muffins in under an hour, making them ideal for spontaneous baking sessions.
• Moist & Fluffy Texture: Thanks to the clever combination of non-dairy yogurt and a touch of vinegar, these muffins are exceptionally moist and light, never dry or dense.
• Tall Muffin Tops: Achieve that coveted bakery-style look with a few simple tricks that help your muffins rise beautifully.
• Seasonal Flavors: Pears and cinnamon are a match made in heaven, especially during the cooler months. These muffins truly embody the comforting spirit of autumn.
• Versatile Snacking: Enjoy them for breakfast, as a coffee break treat, a dessert, or pack them in lunchboxes. They’re delicious at any time!
• Customizable: While pears are fantastic, you can easily substitute them with apples or experiment with other seasonal fruits and spices.

Essential Ingredient Details for Perfect Vegan Pear Muffins

Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving the best results with your vegan cinnamon pear muffins. Here’s a closer look at what goes into making them so delicious:

Muffin Batter Ingredients:

• Non-Dairy Yogurt: This is a secret weapon for super moist muffins! The yogurt contributes to a tender crumb and light, fluffy texture. I typically use a soy-based yogurt, but any plain, unsweetened non-dairy yogurt will work well. A vanilla-flavored one is also acceptable if plain isn’t available, but avoid overly sweet or fruity varieties. Its acidity also works with baking soda to aid in rise.
• Non-Dairy Milk: Essential for the liquid component of the batter. While any unsweetened non-dairy milk can be used, soy milk is often recommended due to its slightly higher protein content, which can contribute to better structure in vegan baked goods. Almond or oat milk are also great choices.
• Sugar: Light brown soft sugar is my preference here, as it adds a lovely caramel-like depth and extra moisture. However, regular caster sugar or granulated sugar will work just as well for sweetness, though the flavor profile might be slightly less complex.
• Oil: A neutral-flavored oil is crucial to ensure the delicate pear and cinnamon flavors shine through. Olive oil (light or regular, not extra virgin) or sunflower oil are excellent choices. Vegetable or canola oil also work. The oil keeps the muffins moist and tender.
• Plain (All-Purpose) Flour: This forms the primary structure of your muffins. Plain all-purpose flour provides the right balance for a light yet sturdy crumb. I have not tested this recipe with gluten-free flour blends, so I cannot guarantee the same results for gluten-free versions.
• Baking Powder and Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda): Using both leavening agents is vital for achieving that fantastic rise and airy texture. Baking powder provides an initial lift, while bicarbonate of soda reacts with the acidic ingredients (yogurt and vinegar) to create additional gas, resulting in a significantly taller and lighter muffin. Do not substitute one for the other; it will impact the final texture and rise.
• Vinegar: A small amount of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar is added specifically to react with the bicarbonate of soda. This acid-base reaction is crucial for optimal lift and contributes to the overall light and tender texture of the muffins. If you don’t have vinegar, fresh lemon juice is a perfect substitute.
• Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is more than just a flavor; it enhances all the other flavors in the muffins, adding warmth and depth. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best results; vanilla bean paste can also be used for a more intense vanilla flavor. Avoid artificial vanilla essence if possible.
• Cinnamon: The star spice of these muffins! Ground cinnamon brings a comforting, aromatic warmth that pairs beautifully with the pears. For a seasonal twist, you could also use pumpkin spice blend as a delicious alternative.
• Pears: The fruit hero of the recipe! I typically use two medium Conference pears, cored and diced, as they hold their shape well and offer a lovely sweetness. However, other varieties like Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett would also be excellent. Make sure your pears are ripe but still firm enough not to turn to mush when baked. If pears aren’t in season or you prefer, diced apples (such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji) are a fantastic alternative, bringing a similar texture and tart-sweet balance.

Streusel Topping Ingredients (Optional):

• Vegan Block Butter: For the streusel, a firm vegan block butter is highly recommended over a spreadable tub variety. Block butter has a lower water content and firmer texture, which is crucial for creating those crisp, crumbly streusel pieces that hold up beautifully during baking. Ensure it’s cold and cubed for easier incorporation.
• Plain (All-Purpose) Flour: Provides the structure for the streusel crumbs.
• Light Brown Soft Sugar: Adds sweetness and a slight caramel note to the topping.
• Cinnamon: Enhances the overall cinnamon flavor profile of the muffins.

How To Make Delicious Vegan Cinnamon Pear Muffins: A Step-by-Step Guide

(Full detailed measurements and precise instructions can be found conveniently in the recipe card at the bottom of this page)

Making these delightful vegan cinnamon pear muffins is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:

Step 1: Prepare the Optional Streusel Topping.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon for the streusel. Add the cold, cubed vegan block butter. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and starts to clump together. It’s important that no large lumps of butter remain. Once combined, place the bowl in the fridge to keep the streusel cold while you prepare the muffin batter. This helps achieve a crispier topping.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Muffin Ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened non-dairy milk, plain non-dairy yogurt, neutral oil, light brown soft sugar, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Whisk thoroughly until all these wet ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth. This ensures an even distribution of flavor and moisture throughout the muffins.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients (Except Flour).
Add the ground cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Whisk these dry ingredients in thoroughly. Next, add the plain (all-purpose) flour. Gently whisk until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the batter; a few small lumps are perfectly fine and will result in a more tender muffin.

Step 4: Fold in the Diced Pears.
Gently fold in the cored and diced pears into the muffin batter using a spatula. Mix just enough to distribute the pears evenly throughout the batter without mashing them or over-mixing the batter. This ensures tender fruit pieces in every bite.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cases and Add Streusel.
Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with 9-10 muffin cases. For best results and taller muffin tops, spread the cases out across two pans if you have them, leaving empty cavities between filled ones. Divide the muffin batter evenly among the prepared cases, filling each one almost to the top. An ice cream scoop works wonders for this! Finally, generously scatter the chilled streusel mixture over the top of each filled muffin case.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection.
Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for an initial 5 minutes at the high temperature (220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7). This high heat provides an initial burst of steam and helps create those coveted tall muffin tops. After 5 minutes, without opening the oven door, reduce the oven temperature to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/gas mark 4 and continue to bake for a further 18-20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. This two-stage baking ensures a great rise and even cooking.

Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely before enjoying. The streusel will firm up as it cools, and allowing them to cool fully also helps prevent them from sticking to the muffin cases.

Top Tips for Baking the Best Vegan Cinnamon Pear Muffins

Achieving bakery-quality muffins at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Use a Digital Scale for Accuracy: As with most baking recipes, especially vegan ones, precision is paramount. I wholeheartedly recommend using metric measurements with a digital kitchen scale rather than volume-based cup conversions. Cups can be wildly inaccurate due to variations in how ingredients are packed, leading to inconsistent results. A scale ensures far better, more consistent outcomes and often results in less mess too!
• Avoid Over-Mixing the Batter: This is one of the most crucial rules for tender muffins. Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, which can lead to tough, rubbery muffins. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together with a balloon whisk or spatula only until no dry streaks of flour remain. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and even desirable for a soft texture.
• Fill Muffin Cases Generously: For those beautiful, tall, domed muffin tops reminiscent of a professional bakery, fill your muffin cases almost all the way to the top. This gives the batter ample volume to rise and create that appealing shape.
• Strategic Muffin Tin Placement: If you have two muffin tins, it’s beneficial to space out your muffin cases across both, leaving an empty cavity between each filled one. This allows for better air circulation around each muffin, which can contribute to a better rise and more uniform baking. If you only have one tin, you can bake them all in one batch, or in two smaller batches for optimal results.
• Prevent Sticking: To ensure your delicious muffins don’t cling stubbornly to their wrappers, use good quality muffin cases. Additionally, allow the muffins to cool completely before attempting to remove them; they are much more prone to sticking when warm. For extra insurance, you can lightly spray the muffin cases with baking spray or a neutral oil, or even bake the muffins directly in a well-greased non-stick muffin pan without liners.
• Grease the Muffin Pan Top: Lightly grease the top surface of your muffin pan. As the muffins rise and expand, their tops may slightly touch the pan. A little grease here will prevent them from sticking when you remove them.
• Adjust Yield and Baking Time: This recipe is designed to make 9 generously sized, “giant” muffins. If you prefer smaller portions, you can divide the batter into 10-12 standard-sized muffin cases. Just bear in mind that smaller muffins will likely require a slightly shorter baking time, so keep an eye on them and test for doneness a few minutes earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Vegan Cinnamon Pear Muffins

Serving Suggestions for Your Vegan Cinnamon Pear Muffins

These delightful muffins are fantastic on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your enjoyment:

• With Coffee or Tea: The perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or a cozy afternoon tea.
• Warm with Vegan Butter: Slice them in half and lightly toast, then spread with a dollop of your favorite vegan butter.
• A Scoop of Vegan Ice Cream: For a decadent dessert, serve a warm muffin with a scoop of vanilla or caramel vegan ice cream.
• Fruit Compote: Pair with a side of extra pear or apple compote for more fruity goodness.

More Delicious Vegan Muffin Recipes to Try

If you loved these cinnamon pear muffins, be sure to explore more of our delightful vegan muffin creations:

• Vegan Double Chocolate Muffins
• Vegan Carrot Muffins
• Vegan Stollen Muffins
• Vegan Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
• Vegan Blueberry Muffins
• Vegan Gingerbread Muffins

We hope you enjoy baking and savoring these wonderful vegan cinnamon pear muffins! If you tried this recipe and loved it, please let us know how it went. Your feedback is invaluable! Don’t hesitate to rate the recipe, leave a comment below, or share your creations by tagging @domestic_gothess on Instagram and using the hashtag #domesticgothess. Happy baking!

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