Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Is that a Banana in your Muffin or are you just happy to see me?



I've never been clear on the distinction between cupcakes and muffins. This recipe blurs the line even further. These are far too decadent to really be anything other than un-iced cupcakes. But I guess if they can call it banana "bread," then I can call these banana muffins. Hey, I have a better idea. Serve these up for dessert as rich banana cupcakes, then sneak out in the morning for a breakfast date with a lovely banana muffin!

Streuseled Choconut Banana Muffins



Modified from a recipe in The Best of betterbaking.com Cookbook. Makes one dozen. Doubles well.

Streusel

3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup toasted pecans
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until nuts are finely chopped and butter is evenly distributed through the crumbly mixture. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Batter

1/2 stick unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp espresso powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pecan extract
1 tsp chocolate extract
1/4 cup light sour cream
1 very ripe banana
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 425. Prepare muffin pans with papers and grease the tops.

Combine butter, oil and sugars in a food processor. Process until creamed. Add eggs, espresso powder and extracts. Pulse until combined. Add sour cream and banana and process until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, soda, and salt and blend until smooth. Add chocolate and pecans and process until both have been chopped and incorporated into the batter.



Fill muffin papers to the very top. Top each one with about 2 Tbsp of streusel. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to wire racks.

3 comments:

Shreya said...

:-) i too don't know diff b/n cupcakes and muffins.. but i like both! and banana and coconut combo is awesome!:-)

Heather said...

ohh these look good! i similarly am always confused on the difference between cupcake and muffin. i just call them all cupkins ;)

Beth (jamandcream) said...

Im always looking for ways to use up banana's. Im definitely goin to bookmark these, the topping sounds great.

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