Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, the 1/2 teaspoon ginger, and the salt. Make a well in the center. In a small bowl, combine milk, oil, and egg; add all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Fold in pear and, if desired, walnuts.

Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Combine oat bran and the 1/4 teaspoon ginger; sprinkle over muffins. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops are brown. Cool in muffin cups on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups; serve warm. Makes 12 muffins.

4. *Test Kitchen Tip: If using a brown sugar substitute, we recommend Sweet 'n Low Brown or Sugar Twin Granulated Brown. Use 1-1/2 teaspoons Sweet 'n Low Brown or 3 tablespoons Sugar Twin Granulated Brown in place of the packed brown sugar.Nutrition Facts per muffin with brown sugar substitute: 136 cal., 7 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 0 mg chol., 95 mg sodium, 16 g carbo., 2 g fiber, 3 g pro.Exchanges: 1 starch, 1.5 fatCarb choices: 1