Pear and Honey Muffins

I had all sorts of issues with these muffins. I made them last weekend, making the first batch on Saturday morning using plain flour. Which came out of the oven looking fine:

They hadn't risen much but weren't a disaster. I left them on the side to cool and when I came back they had sunk, and when tasted didn't quite taste cooked in the middle. I was meant to be taking them to a party the following day and well I couldn't.

So I made a new batch the following morning using self raising flour and this was the result when cooled:

Much more risen and much better looking cakes! The two muffins below are a comparison, the top one is the second batch using self-raising flour, the bottom is the first batch using plain flour.

So I think the answer is use self raising flour when using American recipes to bake. Is there some kind of raising agent in all-purpose flour, which is what the original recipe called for? Is that why mine made with plain flour failed?

Pear and Honey Muffins (adapted from Crepes of Wrath)
(Makes 12-16 muffins)

275g self-raising flour

¾ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

170g unsalted butter, cubed

200ml honey

3 eggs, room temperature

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 pear, peeled, cored and mashed

1 pear, peeled, cored and diced

 

Preheat the oven to 180C. Line the muffin tins with paper cases.

 

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy, about 3 mins, then add in the honey and beat until combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, until combined , then add in your vanilla and mashed pear.

 

Gradually fold in the flour mixture, then fold in the diced pear. Divide the batter amongst your paper cases.  Bake for 18-20 mins. Allow to cool before removing from the tins.