Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

A great way to use over-ripe bananas

© Cathy Spalding

Apr 1, 2009
Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins, Flickr.com
Looking for a yummy snack idea? These muffins taste good, are easy to make, and are a healthy, low-fat version.

Muffins are such a versatile food. They can easily be eaten “on the run” and fit in to almost any time of day or any meal. While not as sweet as cupcakes, many muffin recipes, like this one, use chocolate or similar ingredients. These have the benefit of making good use of bananas that may not otherwise get eaten, and with just the right amount of sweetness.

Recipe, Makes 1 dozen

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (2 large or 3 medium)

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt
  2. With a spatula, stir in the chocolate chips
  3. In a separate bowl, cream applesauce and sugar with a wooden spoon or an electric mixer. If using an electric mixer, take care not to overmix
  4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time
  5. Add bananas and vanilla until smooth
  6. Add the moist mixture to the dry mixture, stirringr until the batter is moist but still lumpy
  7. Lightly spray or grease a muffin tin
  8. Using a large spoon or small measuring cup, fill muffin tin about 2/3 full
  9. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Muffins should be slightly golden on top

Notes

  • Oil or margarine can be substitued in place of the applesauce, but the applesauce is best for low-fat diets
  • Mashed, ripe pears can be substituted for all or part of the banana
  • If you have bananas that are ripening too fast but you are not ready to make with them, they can be frozen until ready to use. It is easiest to peel the banans and freeze them in a freezer bag, but they can also be frozen “as is”. When thawed, simply cut one end off the banana peel and squeeze the banana out (it will be quite runny)
  • Bananas can be mashed using a potato masher or a fork
  • This recipe can also be used for mini muffin or extra large muffin tins. Adjust the baking time accordingly
  • Paper muffin cups can be used to line the muffin tin. In this case, the tin should be sprayed after the muffin cups have been placed in it, otherwise the muffins will stick to the paper
  • These muffins are good both hot or cold. They should be stored in an airtight container but make sure they cool completely first
  • An ice cream scoop also works well to fill muffin tins
  • Let muffins stand in the tin for only a minute or two after removing them from the oven, then remove to a cooling rack

The copyright of the article Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins in Recipes is owned by Cathy Spalding. Permission to republish Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins, Flickr.com
       


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