Bran muffins can pack a caloric and fat punch. In this lightened-up version, we used mashed canned pears. Not only do they provide moistness and fibre but they also replace some of the oil normally found in the recipe. Look for pears packed in fruit juice, not heavy syrup.

We also cut calories with the addition of fat-free Greek yogurt and by using a reduced-sugar molasses preparation, which has 40 percent less sugar than traditional molasses. These freeze well if individually wrapped.

Recipe: Cardamom-Pear Bran Muffins

Ready in 45 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Be muffin-spired! Check out our 10 healthy muffin recipes. 

Photography, Mark Schultz; food styling, Tanya Eng; prop styling, Jennyfer Kenez.