Remember the butternut squash bread I made last week? Well, I’ve taken it one step further. On Sunday morning, after a blast of cold air arrived, I chopped up a ripe pear, shredded a cupful of butternut squash, and pulled out my mixing bowls. These muffins rose beautifully in the oven and made my entire house smell like the very best parts of fall.
Earlier this week, I photographed another birth. This first time mama labored with such strength and beauty…but oh-my-heavens what a long birth! I left my house at 4:00pm on Wednesday and didn’t return home until 10:00am on Thursday morning.
I’ve gained even more respect for my sweet sister, who works as a night nurse, in West Virginia. After staying up all night to capture Zebulon’s entrance into the world, I could barely function. And I feel like my body is STILL trying to catch up from that missed night of sleep. But was it worth it? Absolutely. And there’s little that a strong cup of coffee and one of these muffins can’t fix.
Pear Butternut Squash Muffins
1 ripe pear, unpeeled and chopped
1 cup shredded butternut squash
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
2 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a standard muffin pan with paper wrappers. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat together butter and coconut sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add in eggs, beating well after each addition. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk into butter-sugar mixture. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in butternut squash and pear. Scoop into prepared muffin pan. Upon placing in oven, reduce temperature to 375 F. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until muffin domes have peaked and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How beautiful and rewarding to be able to do what you do, Monet. The photos you shared are really honest and beautiful. These muffins, I think pear and butternut squash sound like such a lovely combo! : )
What a lovely post! Love your photos on the birth:) The muffins looks just wonderful as well!
Oh my goodness that was a long birth! My mother likes to tell me how long mine was (24 hours of labour). I was the first too which I hear can be longer?
Lovely muffins–I love that these have both fruit and vegetables! I’d enjoy one of these for breakfast with a cup of tea.
I’m blown away by what you experience during your photo shoots…and I bet everything your sister sees as a nurse is incredible and challenging as well!
These muffins are gorgeous! Absolutely perfect for fall! I can taste the warm and cozy flavors right now.
I absolutely DO remember that bread! And these muffins look even better!
Monet, the birth images are so powerful, there is nothing more miraculous. I can only imagine how honored you must have felt to be able to witness and capture those 24 hours with the family.
Rest up! Nurses are special people (my mom was a labor and delivery nurse!). These muffins are just lovely – the perfect antidote to a long night.
You’re capturing such wonderful moments with these photo sessions! Each couple must be so thrilled.
And these muffins… I just love that you’re using these seasonal ingredients in such a creative way.
The muffins are perfect! I’m doing butternut squash and apple soup this week. You’ve butternut-inspired me!
These muffins look incredible!! I love butternut squash but have never baked with it before 🙂
Oh my goodness, like it was yesterday! 😉
I love these muffins, I can just smell them now. oxox
First, these muffins sound amazing! So perfect for this time of the year!
And two – I so agree. I have such respect for anyone who works night shifts or shift work … I did it for a year after I graduated college and I had such sleep / health issues from it.
These are fall in muffin form! I love shredding hard squash and even sweet potatoes for muffins. It’s not always easy to deal with breaking them down though.
Wow, these are beautiful photos that truly capture the moment.
I love the sound of these muffins. Yummy
Those are amazing pictures – what a cool thing to photograph and be a part of! But truly exhausting I’m sure with the ones going through the night! And these muffins – they look and sound amazing!
Lovely pictures, super recipe. Thanks.
Oh wow, that does sound like a long time to be awake, but your photos are beautiful! I loved the idea of the butternut squash bread you posted before and I’m loving these muffins even more!
Loving these muffins! And what raw and beautiful photos photographing such a memorable event. Great post 🙂
These sound just divine. What an interesting combo of ingredients! Love the idea of stuffing 2 healthy veggies into a muffin, though.
Your birth photos are just incredible. You’re obviously a very talented photographer and what a special moment to capture, as well! 🙂
That shoot must have been a long but I’m sure very rewarding experience!
And the muffins sound delicious.
Gorgeous photos as usual 🙂 Love the sound of these muffins and how special that you photographed another birth!
These muffins look incredible! I am absolutely loving this flavor combination. It’s like fruit and veggies, all-in-one! Delish!
What a wonderful experience, and a very long night! It definitely sounded worth it, and yes, coffee and one of these muffins would fix all of it. These sound divine! 🙂
You have managed to make birth even more magical and beautiful than it is in real life. And these muffins look delicious! So moist! I need to make squash muffins soon!
Those photos on the birth are so beautiful and heart-touching, Monet.
And these muffins look soul satisfying and delicious!
That is a LONG labor…but it sounds like you all powered through! And hopefully you got fuel yourself with these muffins. So fall-filled!
I love these muffins. The idea of mixing pear and butternut squash is a delicious flavor combo!! Perfect treat anytime of the day! Yum, Hugs, Terra