Royal Treats: Maple Banana Nut Muffins

The recipe is based on this one from Skinny Taste, with a few minor changes. I'll most definitely be making these again. SO. GOOD! 


What you'll need:

• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup [not the cheap fake flavor stuff!]
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
• Optional topping: extra white sugar, vanilla sugar, OR maple sugar (1-2 tablespoons total)

Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the mixing steps. *sigh* I know. But it's really simple, I promise! 


Start by creaming the butter and brown sugar. 


Then add the egg whites, mashed bananas, maple syrup, apple sauce, and vanilla extract.


Slowly add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Don't over mix, just go until it's combined. It'll be lumpy, that's okay!


Divide the batter evenly among the twelve paper-lined muffin molds. 


Sprinkle on a bit of the maple sugar. Don't have any? No problem, you can either skip the sugar topping completely OR use white or vanilla sugar.* 


Top with a handful of finely chopped walnut pieces. 

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Allow to cool for a few minutes. 

Now for the hardest part. Are you ready?

Really? Okay then. 

TASTE TEST TIME! 

*Note: Vanilla sugar is very simple to make. Take a container of white sugar and put 1-3 vanilla bean pods in the sugar. Seal it up and let it sit for at least two weeks before using. I always have a jar of vanilla sugar in the cupboard; I often use it when baking, and it also tastes great in a morning cup of coffee. :)

I did find maple sugar at my local Target, mixed in with the spices. Since it was on clearance (and I had a coupon), I grabbed the jar. I didn't want to use it all up in the batter, like the original recipe called for, so instead I used brown sugar in the batter and sprinkled the maple sugar on top. 

You could also use whatever kind of nut you love most. I planned on using pecans, but DAMN, they were expensive at my store! The walnuts were a few dollars cheaper and taste just as great. :D

Ingredients: 

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 egg whites

1/4 cup pure maple syrup [not the cheap fake flavor stuff!]

2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Optional topping: extra white sugar, vanilla sugar, OR maple sugar (1-2 tablespoons total)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

Mash the bananas and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer. Add the egg whites, mashed bananas, maple syrup, apple sauce, and vanilla extract and mix well.

Slowly add the flour, baking soda, and salt, mixing until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin. 

Top with a bit of sugar (maple sugar, white sugar OR vanilla sugar) and a teaspoon or so of the finely chopped walnuts.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

What's your favorite banana bread variation?

Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!