These muffins positively need more sugar, at least for our taste preferences here! I would increase it to 3/4 or even 1 full cup of sugar, if you like them sweeter. (And our pears were very ripe and sweet---but they still need more help.) When I made them, I added an extra 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, added 1/4 tsp. ginger and doubled the nutmeg and cloves. I THINK with added sugar they might be pretty good. I was in a huge hurry, trying to get them made in time for my son to have with his smoothie before school, so cut the pear up in too large of chunks. I'd recommend to dice it in small cubes---and I used 2-1/2 small pears to make a heaping one cup. We didn't find them dry at all, the texture was nice. I did use King Arthur white whole wheat flour, which might have helped with the nice texture. I only used 3/4 tsp. almond extract, but could easily have used the full teaspoon, since I didn't taste the almond at all. Didn't add the chopped almond--and if I did, I would definitely use the blanched almond slices and chop them finely. Otherwise, like another reviewer said, you're going to have little rocks in your muffins.

Reviewed On: Oct. 14, 2009

This is really yummy. A quick version when you have less time or don't want to go to all the work---half your squash, clean it out and bake in oven til tender, or microwave. Fill cavities with apple pie filling and bake another 10-15 minutes. Delish! My 11 year old will even eat this--an entire half!

Reviewed On: Oct. 9, 2009

I agree it's not my family's Polish recipe, but who's to say it's not polish? Many cooks change and adapt recipes, and this could have been the same. You can stuff these, like any dumpling, with a variety of different fillings. Sauteed mushrooms and onions, stewed prunes or other fruits, a slightly sweet filling made from hoop cheese (can be special ordered from many delis or can use farmers or ricotta cheese for a similar taste), sugar, cinnamon and raisins (my favorite), etc. We always served our pierogis with melted butter. They are a little on the bland side, but you can jazz them up to your own preference.

Reviewed On: Oct. 9, 2009