Extremely Low Fat Heart Healthy Chocolate Crumb Muffins

Step 1: To make the topping, combine the oats, cocoa, and brown sugar; stir to mix well. Add the honey and stir until the mixture is moist and crumbly. Set aside.

Step 2: Combine the flours, cocoa, brown sugar, and baking powder, and stir to mix well. Place the pears and their juice in a blender and puree until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups of this mixture to the flour mixture. (Reserve the remaining puree for use in another recipe or drink it.) Add the egg whites and vanilla extract, and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Step 3: Coat muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and fill 3/4 full with the batter. Sprinkle a rounded teaspoon of the topping over each muffin and press very lightly into the batter. Bake at 350 F for 14 to 16 minutes, or just until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Step 4: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before removing the muffins. Serve warm or at room temperature.