Believe me or not, I never thought I wouldl be able to bake cakes or muffins.  I was fine ordering from our favorite bakeshop.  Why? I didn’t want to trouble myself studying and buying expensive utensils.  But the pandemic taught us many lessons.  Like many other people,  I also started baking, but not cakes, but simple breads, since it only requires simple baking tools and ingredients.  However, I came across with this banana muffin recipe which promises easy baking techniques without using any fancy equipment.  Now let me share it with you, too, and I promise you’ll be the next banana muffin baking superstar!  

Why You Should Make Banana Muffins?
If you’re a first timer, banana muffins is the best to start with.  The recipe is easy to follow and always results in delicious, moist muffins.  It’s easy that even kids can make them.  You don’t need fancy ingredients and everything you need are probably available in your kitchen – including the fork.  Yes! You only need a fork to mix all your ingredients.  

How to Make Banana Muffins?

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Step 1:  Whisk the DRY INGREDIENTS together

Whisk well the following dry ingredients in a bowl: 

Flour — Preferrably all-purpose flour, but whole wheat works well in this recipe. You can also substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend.

 

Brown sugar — for sweet, moist and tender muffins.  If you only have white sugar, you can use it instead.

 

Baking powder and baking soda — these will make the muffins rise.

 

Salt — a vey smal amount of salt makes these muffins extra flavorful.

Step 2:  Mash the Bananas

You don’t need a mixer to mash the bananas.  Fork will work perfectly fine.  

You will need 1 ½ cup of mashed bananas. That is about 3-4 large extra ripe bananas.

Overriped bananas with black brown skin gives more flavor, moist and aroma. 

Step 3:  Combine the Wet Ingredients 
Add the following wet ingredients to the mashed bananas.  Whisk until blended.

Melted butter — for a luscious, buttery flavor to the muffins. 

 

Egg — it helps form the muffins and makes them tender

 

Vanilla extract —for an inviting aroma, richness and sweetness

 

Step 4:  Combine Everything Together and Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts

The last step is to combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, then add the chocolate chips and nuts.  I personally love to use the local chocolate bars of Indonesia, Silver Queen which comes in milk chocolate with almonds or cashew nuts; or raisins and nuts. I would usually pick one variant at a time.  Will chop it in tiny parts and mix it with the batter.
 

How Long Do They Bake in the Oven? 

The muffins take 20 - 25 minutes to bake. Take them out of the oven when the tops are golden,

and after inserting a toothpick in the center of a muffin, it comes out clean.

For mini muffins, the bake time will be less - 10 to 15 minutes.

 

Ingredients and Measurements:

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

 

3-4 overriped bananas, mashed with a fork, about 1 1/2 cup mashed

5 tablespoons (70 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped chocolate bar with almond or cashew nuts or raisins.  

Or plain chocolate chips and/or nuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line muffin cups with paper liners.

This recipe makes 12 regular-sized muffins.

 

​2. Whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

 

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, mashed banana, egg, and vanilla until blended.

 

4. Add the banana mixture to the bowl with dry ingredients, then use a fork to combine. Do not overmix.

 

5. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.

 

6. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick can be inserted and comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

 

Banana muffins can be served warm or cold.  Enjoy with your loved ones!