Chunky Pear and Applesauce Muffins

Preheat the oven to 400ºF and fill a muffin tin with 12 paper liners. (You could also butter and flour the muffin tins and skip the paper liners.)

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until the butter is thoroughly mixed in, then add the applesauce, eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Add the salt, baking powder and five spice, then slowly add in the flour until just combined.

Dice the pear into small 1/4 inch chunks and fold into the mixture. Then scoop the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tins. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with a little brown sugar.

Bake for 14-20 minutes until the tops are dome-shaped and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 3-5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin.