A tasty recipe for upside-down nectarine muffins

There is nothing ordinary about these muffins. A bit like individual upside-down cakes, they boast an irresistible caramelized fruit topping. They're tasty treats indeed — with the benefits of whole grains, stone fruit, nuts and cinnamon.

• Preparation time: 25 minutes.
• Baking time: 20 minutes.
• Makes 12 muffins.

Ingredients:

Topping

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) packed light brown sugar
• 35 g (1/4 c) walnuts, chopped
• 340 g (12 oz) nectarines (about 3 medium), pitted and cut into 5-mm-thick (1/4-in-thick) wedges

Muffins

• 130 g (1 c) whole wheat flour
• 130 g (1 c) all-purpose flour
• 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) baking powder
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) baking soda
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt
• 7 ml (1 1/2 tsp) ground cinnamon
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 100 g (1/2 c) packed light brown sugar
• 250 ml (1 c) low-fat buttermilk
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) canola oil
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Coat 12 standard-size muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. To make the topping: Sprinkle about two grams (1/2 teaspoon) brown sugar into each muffin cup and pat into an even layer, then sprinkle about five grams (one teaspoon) walnuts into each cup. Arrange three or four nectarine slices, slightly overlapping, over the walnuts and brown sugar. Cover and set aside. Coarsely chop the remaining nectarines (you should have about 175 millilitres or 3/4 cup); set aside.
3. To make the muffins: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and brown sugar until smooth. Whisk in the buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula just until the dry ingredients are moistened, then fold in the reserved nectarines. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups (they will seem quite full; the nectarine wedges will collapse during baking).
5. Bake until the muffins are lightly browned and the tops spring back when touched lightly, 18 to 22 minutes. Immediately loosen the edges and carefully turn the muffins out onto a wire rack. Replace any stray nectarine slices and spoon on any walnut pieces remaining in the muffin cups. Let cool slightly before serving.

• One serving is one muffin.

Each serving contains:

• 202 calories
• 5 g protein
• 32 g carbohydrates
• 2 g fibre
• 6 g total fat
• 1 g saturated fat
• 41 g cholesterol
• 153 mg sodium

Try this recipe today for a healthy treat the entire family will enjoy.