Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

I've posted the recipe for these before ....but, muffin making is a regular occurrence around here ...and as I was putting together the batter today I thought I'd just let you know a little trick I invented.  Well, maybe I didn't actually invent it... I'm sure others have figure this one out, but it's helpful to me and I like to share tips and tricks to make life in the kitchen easier and therefore, more fun.

Little jam jars make perfect containers for already toasted and chopped nuts.  I like to chop them as soon as I toast them because it is so much easier to chop nuts when they are warm.

Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds..and .... dried cranberries.  Staples for me.  I keep the jars where I can see them in the 'fridge.... let's me know when I need to toss a handful on a sheet and lightly toast them before baking something ...usually do them while preheating the oven...and if I forget them at that point, there is always plenty of heat left after taking out muffins and turning off the oven.

Here they are: ..... so cute too..... hahhah..... like that counts....

Small and extra small jam jars... a one cup or half cup measure of nuts at the ready.

I like to add flour when the wet ingredients are nicely mixed.... and gently just fold in so as not to over mix.  It maintains a lovely rustic texture which I prefer for muffins... not a fine cupcake appearance or texture.

I usually add a dollop of yogurt instead of milk if the batter appears a bit too dry.... ...

Yes....those are my Christmas oven mitts.  The only pair I have that fit my hands the way I like oven mitts to fit.  So I can easily handle hot things with ease.  Maybe some day I will actually make myself a pair that fit my hands.  Some day...... or ...maybe somebody will find me a pair that are small enough for my hands ...

There.  See?  Rustic, man size muffins. Lovely.

no kitchen...

... which relates to not quite as much cooking and baking.... but, when I post so seldom, it kind of looks like I'm not doing baking anyway doesn't it?

We have been renovating for a few months already... and I did manage to bake a few little batches of muffins and scones in a teensy toaster oven.   You can see why it needed to be on for a long time.... it could only bake a few at a time.

My neighbour gave it to me several years ago to bake my polymer clay dolls and heads... but, hey...it has come in handy all of a sudden to actually bake food things!  Cuz I reeeellly miss baking.

But, then... I burned it out.  Yep.  It struggled through two batches of muffins...at a full 400F .... and then... smelled very strange and .. well, it just quit.  Awww.... poor little guy!  I felt guilty for forcing him to perform beyond his capacity.  After all he was old and very tiny...and well, I felt guilty.

However, I missed him right away and had to replace him.  Had to go shopping.  I looked at several places and settled on a Black & Decker... the same brand.  They do say they are the top in toaster ovens.  I looked at various brands and prices and this one fits the bill perfectly.  Only $49 on sale too...down from $79... such a deal.

The elements are covered with protectors too.  I like that.  Only one other had that ...and it was a $200 toaster oven... forget it.  I will most likely only use it 'til we move back into the newly renovated house with my new kitchen and oven.... and then... it won't be in use much.  Although, I do have to say...these little ovens do the best job I've ever seen on cookies.  The bottoms are so uniform and just perfectly baked.

The other day I did strawberry lemony muffins.... and the next day....a blueberry lemon batch.... YUM>....  I'm giving it a good test run.

... and....it can fit 9 small/medium muffins.  I found some foil reusable pans for a bargain too.   It was a good shopping day.   They only really hold 6..but, cut one in half to get in 3 more.  Fits perfectly.

The centre row gets slightly browner than the rest even if I turn them...but, that's fine.  "Somebunny" loves the browner ones!

Chocolate Cherry Muffins

Sabotage !!
Oh, I'm bad..... last post was a salad and talking about eating healthy ...now, here I am with the chocolate.... sorry..... but, they were just too good not to share!











I changed a few things to suit myself...but, the original recipe is from the Company's Coming book Muffins and More. The original recipe called for cooking oil but I prefer to use butter in my baking.. . so I changed the mixing directions. They are called Chocolate Filled Muffins in the book if you have it and want to try their version. It called for a coconut filling to be pressed into the center of each. But, there was an alternative ...... maraschino cherries. I still had some in a jar from Christmas baking ... hey! perfect.

































Chocolate Cherry Muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder (I like to sift it for easier mixing)
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt ( I never use it)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
option:: handful of drained maraschino cherries, chopped into halves or thirds.


Beat butter in mixing bowl, add sugar and mix well. Add egg and beat again.

In large bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, (I always slightly less because I don't like to taste it at all !) salt, (if you use it), and cinnamon. Add to butter mixture... stir gently just a bit, then add milk... mixing just until moistened.

Gently fold in maraschino cherries or... place by hand into mixture after placing small amount into muffin cups then fill cups. I pushed mine well into the dough so they were not really visible from the outside... I didn't want them to get crispy or burn on any edges.

This dough is not really a wet mixture and I think next time I will also add a few tablespoons of the maraschino juice as well and perhaps even a teensy drop of almond flavouring...

Bake at 375 F. (180 C. ) for 20 minutes. Only makes 8 good size muffins.

finally...got this recipe on here !!

Lemon Cranberry Muffins

1/2 cup of butter

3/4 cup of granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Grated zest of about ½ a big lemon

Juice from the lemon..about ½ to ¾ of a cup

2 cups of all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

2 good tbsps. of plain yogurt..or milk, to make dough less dry

Small handful (about ½ cup or less…up to you) of dried cranberries

….. For drizzle….

2 tbsps. lemon juice

1 tbsp. granulated sugar

I use my mixer but by hand is fine too. Beat butter well…add sugar and beat ‘til fluffy; add eggs, one at a time; beating after each addition. Add vanilla, grated lemon zest and lemon juice.. mix well. Measure and mix together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. If you like a bit of extra salt add it to this mix…I find enough salt with just the butter. Add flour mixture all at once and mix ‘til just incorporated…(too much mixing will make the texture too fine; more like cupcakes!)…if you don’t get enough juice from the lemon..it may seem a bit dry so gently fold in the yogurt…I always add it to mine as I like them nice and moist (but not so moist that they don't hold some shape when I put the mix in the cups) Toss in some cranberries at the same time.. gently fold in….

I use giant muffin cups..so I only get 8 of what I like to call MY size! It probably makes 12 for most folks. Bake at 350F. or 180C for about 20 to 25 mins… check with toothpick … when it comes out clean they are done. If you want to add drizzle…now is the time…. Mix the lemon juice and sugar….poke a few holes in the top of each with a skewer or something similar and drizzle a bit of lemony sugar over each while they are hot. Wait a few minutes if possible..and then…give ‘em a taste!

To make these into Blueberry Muffins... just add some fresh or frozen blueberries instead of the cranberries. Try to toss thawed berries (hopefully they were frozen separately and are not just mush) ick.... with a tiny bit of flour or some sugar and then fold in very gently, just near the end of mixing. Don't over mix..as they will turn the whole muffin streaky blue. Remember, over-mixing also takes away the rustic texture .. ... unless of course, you prefer that ... then... by all means, just mix away. I prefer muffins with a rustic appearance.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 bananas
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt (I never use it…salted butter has plenty for me!)
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsps baking powder
Small handful dark semi sweet chocolate chips (to personal taste)
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts (optional)

Beat butter in bowl of electric mixer… add the sugar and continue to mix ‘til light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well mixed. Add vanilla and the bananas; continue to mix ‘til bananas are well broken down.

In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients and then add all at once to the moist ingredients… toss in some chocolate chips.. a small handful is plenty! Stir with wooden spoon just until moist and still lumpy. Don’t over mix or it becomes like cake batter (well, unless that is what you prefer …. as you may already know… I like rustic texture for my muffins).

Spoon into paper lined muffin tin….(for easier clean up!) Bake at 350 F (180 C) for about 20 – 25 mins. or so, until golden brown …depends on size of muffins…. Check with a toothpick for doneness. I use a tin that makes 8, but if you have a smaller one..you could probably get 12 with this recipe.



Hint: When bananas get soft or brown and you don’t want to eat them .. put them into the freezer. When you want to use them for baking… take them out a few hours in advance.. they will be perfect. When it says add bananas…just slice off the top and squeeze the contents into the mixer bowl..no mess no mashing!
If you forget to take them out soon enough... you can always microwave them on a plate for a few minutes at a very low setting to defrost them.

There you are Gaby...give them a try... then I am coming for tea and muffins...

Poor little Leonard hung out all day ...waiting for various body parts to be stitched. One ear is still just pinned... he needs stuffing...and toes...yep... pudgy ones....


Hiya....I am Leonard. Look...even bears can go to College...hahahhahha

Muffins

Hey!! No fair checking out the backsplash...you should be looking at those steaming muffins! See my Picturetrail Site... you will understand. This place is Renovation Central. The tiles really are coming...................................

Yesterday was a perfect baking day. Pouring rain most of it. Love it when the smell of baking pervades the whole house on a cold and dreary day. Today it was Banana Chocolate Chip mega muffins. Well, my muffins are always mega as I have a wonderful muffin tin that only has 8 spots. When I make muffins...I want a MUFFIN! Not that I eat many of them.... I just like to have plenty in the freezer because my husband takes lunches to work and usually a muffin goes along for the ride. But...if I want one..I know where to find one.

I have a thing about home made muffins.....'cuz "store bought" are horrible in my book!! I bought a couple once....wouldn't waste my money on them now that I know how to bake. They are what I call "cake disguised as muffins"....which is really a cupcake to me..ick. Cake batter is fine texture; muffin batter is more .... er...rustic looking. That's how I like my muffins .... rustic looking; not all smooth and fine. Perhaps because they are baked in such quantities for business, and I suppose they do have to make sure the ingredients are all mixed, but to my way of thinking it gets mixed too much. Too much for me anyway.

When I do muffins I thoroughly combine wet ingredients in my mixer... then..add all the dry ingredients at the same time... gently fold in by hand with my wooden spoon ...just until incorporated.... spoon huge dollops into each of the 8 spaces of my muffin tin (with muffin papers in each of course so that clean up is minimal) and yummy, perfect muffins! Of course, ingredients also make a huge difference.... what can I say? With home baked goodies we can regulate the ingredients and adjust anything and everything to suit our taste buds, our lifestyle and our health concerns.

On Teddy Talk the other day there was talk of ... "when life gives u lemons"?.... well, my response is always... hey..lemons!! I can use those..... for Lemon Loaf.... or Lemon Blueberry Muffins.... or my sister's Lemon Squares... or.... Well, anyway.... there is absolutely no shortage of what to do if I am handed lemons or find them hiding in my crisper. What?...it doesn't mean literally?..... oh...........

Lemon blueberry muffins. When I heard that Tim Horton's was coming out with those I absolutely had to try one because those two flavours together?... all I can say is YUM! Ran out to my car with my coffee and a muffin... ready to savour each bite... yech! Do you know I tossed it? What a shame. So...I went home and over the winter I perfected my own. Yeah... you probably think I am nuts..but this is a blog about baking, cooking etc.... so.... read on, move on or send me your own recipes.... ....hahahhahha ..My Lemon Blueberry muffins are great if I do say so myself; and I do.... They get great comments from anybody who tries them and I even have people that call to order a batch every so often for their own freezers.