Thursday, May 12, 2016

Royal Treats: Double Chocolate Banana Muffins




The recipe is based on this one from Skinny Taste, with a few minor changes.

Why have I never thought to put chocolate in banana muffins? WHY? I'll be making this recipe again. And again. And again. 



What you'll need:



  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup vanilla sugar* (or white)
  • 3 1/2 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
  • Optional glaze: 2 tbsp confectioner's sugar + 1/4 tsp vanilla extract + 1/2 - 1 tsp milk [The mixture should be thin enough to drizzle.]


As always, ignore the picture quality. My kitchen does not have good lighting for taking pictures. 





Start by creaming the butter and sugar. 







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



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







Add the chocolate chips. 


If you do a HEAPING 1/2 cup, I won't tell anyone. :) And if you snack on a few during this process? It'll be our little secret, too. 







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







Top with a bit 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 before drizzling the glaze over the top (optional).





TASTE TEST TIME!







*Notes: 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. :)


You could also use whatever kind of nut you love most, or leave them out entirely.





Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Ingredients: 
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup cocoa powder 
1/4 tsp salt
3 1/2 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/3 cup vanilla sugar (or white)
2 egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
Optional glaze topping: 2 tbsp confectioner's sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp milk.
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 sugar with an electric mixer. Add the egg whites, mashed bananas, apple sauce, and vanilla extract and mix well.
Slowly add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin. 
Top with a teaspoon or so of the finely chopped walnuts.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes and enjoy! 
** If you want to add the glaze, mix the confectioners sugar, vanilla and milk together and drizzle over each muffin after they've cooled slightly. **




What's your favorite muffin to make?



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,

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