Rhubarb Pear Muffins

Fresh rhubarb is readily available in the summer. But what’s great is that you can buy it frozen year round and use it to make muffins, cakes and compotes. It has a slight tart flavour that is easily sweetened up with some sugar substitute.

1 cup All Bran or 100% Bran cereal
3/4 cup wheat bran
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar substitute
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp baking soda
Pinch salt
1/2 cup liquid egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 ripe pear, cored and diced
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb

Streusel Topping
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
3 tbsp brown sugar substitute
2 tbsp soft non-hydrogenated margarine
1/2 tsp cinnamon

  1. In bowl combine All Bran and wheat bran. Pour over buttermilk and stir to combine; let stand for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, sugar substitute, baking powder, lemon rind, baking soda and salt. In another bowl whisk together liquid egg, oil and vanilla. Stir into bran mixture and pour over flour mixture and stir to combine. Gently stir in pear and rhubarb until just combined.
  3. Divide batter among 12 greased or paper lined muffin tins.
  4. Streusel Topping: In small bowl, combine whole-wheat flour, sugar substitute, margarine and cinnamon until crumbly. Sprinkle over top of muffin batter and bake in 400 F oven for about 20 minutes or until golden and firm to the touch.

Makes 12 muffins.

Storage: Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and freeze in airtight container for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate for up to 2 days.