Every once in awhile, I'll look at the clock and wonder, "where on Earth did the afternoon go?" Then, when I realize how close it is to dinner time, I panic.
You see, I'm a stay-at-home-mom, so I feel compelled to make dinner at least 6 nights out of 7 – and when I realize that I have absolutely nothing to make for dinner, I know I have to get creative.
So when panic mode kicks in, I always check my fruit bowl to see what's past prime eating – i.e. if it has any brown spots, or dents, the kids will refuse to eat it in its natural state! This is where the beauty of over-ripe bananas – and the magic of muffins – comes into play!
Here is my easiest (and fastest) muffin recipe ever. Now mind you, this is not a gourmet muffin; this is purely an incredibly tasty: "Of course, I have something for dinner – it's in the oven right now" kind of muffin.
EASIEST BANANA MUFFINS EVER
Ingredients:
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 2 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 3 overripe bananas, smashed
* Toppings: pecans, chocolate chips, Wilson's sugar crystals, etc.
Directions:
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix together sugar and melted butter. Add eggs and mashed bananas; mix thoroughly.
Step 3: Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and slowly pour wet ingredients into dry. Gently mix until incorporated.
Step 4: Place batter into a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Add any toppings, if desired. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the middle of a muffin. Cool on a wire rack.
Baker's Notes:
These muffins, in their basic form, are insanely versatile. I add any "extras" to the top of the muffins, so everyone can customize them however they see fit. My children like their muffins with chocolate chips, my husband likes his with pecans, and I like mine with just a little bit of cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top.
Thanks for reading,
Denine
Thanks guys. My daughter is going through a major banana phase, so I always have to come up with new things to do with them. lol. (I can only eat so many spotted bananas myself!)
Um can you send me some of those!!!
Your banana muffins are the tastiest I’ve ever seen. I love your topping ideas. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog and I’d like to invite you to stop by and link your muffins up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/05/sweets-for-saturday-17.html
You are on a banana trend and I love it! I stash frozen bananas in my freezer all the time for desserts and muffins/breads. Might need to pull some out to try this muffin recipe!