Pear Date Muffins With Neufchatel Frosting

• 1 cup dates, chopped
• 12 cup pear, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 14 teaspoon ginger
• 14 teaspoon nutmeg
• 14 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup water, heated
• 12 cup brown sugar, plus 2 tbs
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
• 2 cups icing sugar, to taste
• 1 (8 ounce) package neufchatel cheese
• 13 cup butter, softened
• 1 14 teaspoons vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
2. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin or line with muffin cups.
3. Mix chopped dates, finely chopped pears, 1 tsp vanilla, spices and hot water together.
4. Set aside until cooled.
5. Cream 4 tbs butter, canola oil & brown sugar together until light.
6. Add fruit mix to butter mix and stir until just combined.
7. Add flour and mix until combined.
8. Bake until a skewer inserted comes out clean (approx.
9. 20-25 minutes).
10. Leave to cool in the tray for 5 to 10 minutes.
11. Allow to cool further and then frost once completely cooled.
12. To make frosting:.
13. Combine icing sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/3 cup butter and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla.
14. Beat until smooth.
15. Spread onto cooled muffins.

dates, pear, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, water, brown sugar, butter, canola oil, flour, icing sugar, cheese, butter, vanilla

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/pear-date-muffins-with-neufchatel-frosting-443128 (may not work)