Monday, February 2, 2015

Valentine Brunch Muffins



Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday this year. If you're very lucky that might mean breakfast in bed. (I hear you laughing!) Okay, for most of us, just snoozing a little longer is a treat. But then it's time for brunch.

You can whip up these muffins half asleep while you work on your first cup of coffee. In fact, they would go great with coffee! Not only are they quick and easy but your kitchen will smell wonderful. Happily, they taste good warm and cold. (Yes, I tested them for you both ways! How I suffer for this blog.) They turned out so pretty that you could serve them straight from the oven. But if you're in the mood to do something a little fancy for your Valentine (very little, let's not overdo it, right?), then melt some chocolate chips and drizzle the chocolate over top of the muffins.

If your Valentine barks and happens to have four legs and a tail, omit all the chocolate, and you can share a little bit of your muffin with him or her.


Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

½ cup butter
2 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 1/2 very ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
additional 1/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Melt the butter, and set it aside to cool. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and stir with a fork to mix.
Mash the bananas in another large bowl with a fork. Add the cooled butter and vanilla and mix. Add the eggs and mix well with the fork.
Pour the flour mixture on top and fold until the flour disappears. Do not overmix! Gently stir in 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
Spoon into the cupcake liners, filling them almost to the top. Bake 20 minutes or until the muffins are a light golden brown on top.
Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips in microwave on 30 second bursts, stirring in between. Use a fork to drizzle chocolate over top of cooled muffins.

Makes 12 – 16 muffins.

Mash the bananas and remove any dark bits.

Crack the eggs right into the banana mixture!

Mix gently until the flour disappears.

Add chocolate chips!
Fill almost to the top.

So pretty you could serve them just like this!

Or dress them up by drizzling chocolate on top!


31 comments:

  1. The muffins look yummy! Thank you for the recipe.

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    1. Thanks, Jen! They're so nice on a cold morning.

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  2. Those muffins look delicious. I wish I had one right now to go with my coffee. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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    1. It really is a shame that we don't have cyber-shipping yet! I would be happy to share, Connie. : )

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  3. I am SO making these. Thanks for sharing the reciple

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  4. Krista, these muffins look luscious. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

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    1. Linda, they're quick and easy, which I like anytime but especially in the morning!

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  5. I like your realistic view of Valentine's Day. In our early years of marriage, my husband was always at work. So I won gifts from the radio station. That was how romantic we were. :-)

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    1. At least you won gifts! LOL! Isn't it the younger, still wooing crowd that makes a big deal out of it?

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    2. I don't know, I suppose it is, but that was in our younger years. Although we had a bunch of kids right away so maybe we had a different kind of romance. Our family time was more important, I think.

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  6. I love this, Krista! And the wonderful aroma came right through my computer screen. Can't wait to try them.

    XO

    MJ

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    1. I had a great workout flapping my arms to send the scent all the way to your house! I hope you'll like them!

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  7. Love the drizzle on top. What a pretty addition. Sleep late or breakfast in bed? Snort! As if!

    Daryl / Avery

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  8. Banana muffins! No chocolate chips for me or my cat. He does love pastry, though.

    They sound great. Thanks for the recipe.

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    1. That's amazing, Diana. I have a cat who loves bread. A first for me!

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  9. I love pastry in the morning for breakfast and then two hours later I need protein!!! Would enjoy a spoonful of the chocolate for the topping right now however.
    I cannot wait to order this book. The cover is phenomenal and I know from past experience that the stories are too. Loved reading your posting today.

    Much happiness and success in everything you do, Krista.

    Cynthia

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    1. Thank you so much, Cynthia! You're too kind. I do love the cover! Crossing my fingers that you'll like the book!!!

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  10. These muffins sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
    Connie

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  11. I love banana bread so these muffins look just as tempting. Thanks for the wonderful review and recipe. robeader53@yahoo.com

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    1. These muffins are so nice and moist. There's something very comforting about bananas in bread and muffins, isn't there?

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  12. Just beautiful, if this writing thing doesn't work out you can open a bakery.LOL But, since I am hooked on both series, I'm rooting for the writing thing. Thanks for the recipe Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!

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    1. LOL, Margaret. I'm hoping the writing thing will work out, too! I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day, too!

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  13. Both my 2- and 4-legged Valentines will love these muffins. Thanks for suffering through the taste testing.
    I love the cover of the The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss!

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    1. Me too, Grandma Cootie. Teresa Fasolino is just so talented! I'm happy to taste test for your 2 and 4-legged Valentines anytime!

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  14. Bananas and chocolate are a great combo, and they taste even better with coffee. I'm not waiting for Valentine's Day. Thanks for sharing, Krista.

    ~ Cleo

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  15. Thank you for the delish looking muffin recipe! I shall give it a go. And, once again, can't wait to read your latest installment of the Domestic Diva series. Love those books!

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