Sunday, September 27, 2015

Banana Chocolate Chips Muffins and What-the-heck?


Please join us in giving a very big welcome to Sofie Kelly! Sofie, Daryl, Leslie, Peg, Sheila and I all go way back together. Back to the days when we were all starting out and none of us had been published. So we're especially delighted to have our dear friend visiting us today. 

Sofie has very kindly offered to give away a copy of her new book, FAUX PAW! Leave a comment with your email address to enter.

And heeeeere's Sofie!

During the summer in my house we eat a lot of fruit salad: chunks of melon, and peaches mixed with strawberries, blueberries or raspberries and as summer winds down, a taste of the early apple crop. But once fall comes fruit is more likely to show up in apple crisp, blueberry grunt and banana chocolate chip muffins.

In my Magical Cats Mysteries (Faux Paw will be out October 6th) the characters like to indulge in something sweet. It may be Eric’s chocolate pudding cake at the café, Mary Lowe’s cinnamon rolls or Kathleen’s brownies. And yes, muffins. Lots of muffins.

I think of these muffins more as desert than a healthy breakfast choice. The recipe evolved from a recipe for banana bread in the 1952 edition of the Lily Wallace New American cookbook, the source of a lot of favorite recipes in my house.

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups of sifted flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ cup margarine
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup sugar
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 large)
1 whole egg and 1 egg white
½ cup of chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or lightly grease.

Sift the flour, soda and cream of tartar together. In a large bowl beat margarine, sugar, applesauce, egg and egg white until the mixture is light and creamy. Add the mashed banana alternately with the flour mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the muffins are golden brown and tops spring back when lightly touched. You’ll notice I don’t have any photos of the muffins once they were baked. If you have teenagers in your house you’ll understand why!





And now for the “what-the-heck.” I was going to share my corn muffin recipe. I baked them in my large toaster oven and this is what happened. They tasted great but kind of looked like they belonged in a cooking version of Alien. Does anyone have any idea of what the heck happened?







Don't forget to leave a comment to enter Sofie's giveaway! Include your email address so we can contact you. Good luck!

77 comments:

  1. These muffins sound scrumptious! I love the cover of Faux Paw! Thanks for the chance!
    angelhwk68@yahoo.com

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  2. The muffins look yummy. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I really enjoy the magical cats series. dmskrug3at hotmail dot Com

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  3. The muffins definitely sound amazing, as does the book! By the way, about the corn muffins' appearance: my best guess would be uneven batter distribution. But as long as they taste fabulous, no worries on the looks :) EMS591@aol.com

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  4. The muffins look great though I am not sure why one is abnormal. But I am will to taste it for you (just because I want you to be safe). Thank you for the recipe.
    I adore the cover art for FAUX PAW, and I would like to enter in the giveaway. Thank you.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. More banana and chocolate, yum! The corn muffin looks festive - just say you did it on purpose.

    The magical cats are new to me, thanks for the chance to win.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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  6. The muffin recipe sounds delicious. I'm so glad the magical cats are back, I love them. Thanks for the chance to win. poohwine1217@gmail.com

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  7. The muffins sound delicious...can't wait to try it out. I am looking forward to this next book in your Magical Cats series. Thanks for the giveaway. Kuzlin at AOL.com

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  8. I was thinking maybe uneven heat in your toaster oven made aliens out of your muffins. But if they taste good, who cares how they look! I would love to win a copy of Faux Paw!

    ElaineE246 at msn dot com

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  9. Love the Faux Paw cover. I agree with others...as long as the corn muffin tastes good, don't worry about appearance. patucker54 (at aol dot com)

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  10. I don't think toaster ovens heat evenly. Looking foward to reading the new book.
    sgiden at verizon(.) net

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  11. I would love to try this recipe. Christik311@gmail.com

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  12. I love the cover of your book and would love to be the lucky winner.
    I think I'll make your muffins but without the chips. I might be the only person that doesn't like chocolate in everything. lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  13. The muffins look delectable and special. Thanks for this recipe and giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. These look yummy and I can't wait to read this! Thanks for the chance.
    karen (dot) Kenyon (at) rogers (dot) com

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  15. We're so pleased to have you here today, Sofie. I have to try this recipe. Chocolate and bananas are a perfect match. And I love baking with applesauce! Can't wait to try!

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  16. Love the cover of your book! Can't wait to read it!
    jawdance@yahoo.com

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  17. I just read a midWinter's Tail. I loved it. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
    Joannlowehunter@aol.com

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  18. The rack in the toaster oven might be uneven.

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  19. Your book sounds captivating and enjoyable. Muffins for brekkie are perfect. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. Love the cover for Faux Paw. I'm ready for the fall smell of muffins baking---maybe I'll make some tomorrow morning for breakfast. Thanks for the recipe and the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  21. Loving the book cover.
    Great recipe. I make a chocolate chip banana bread but this recipe looks very easy. I'll be putting it on my list of breakfast foods to make.
    scarletbegonia5858@gmail.com

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  22. I confess, I am a book behind in the series, but would love to win. Muffins are my favorite afternoon snack. stclairck@gmail.com

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  23. I like the cover of the new book! Thank you for the recipe and the contest! pfistersk@yahoo.com

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  24. Love the title!!! Sweet combo muffins mystery and me
    Thanks for the giveaway
    vernagass@gmail.com

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  25. I LOVE this series! Thank you for the recipe and this awesome opportunity to win! areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  26. This series is very enjoyable! Thanks for the yummy recipe and the giveaway opportunity
    ejbs3s@yahoo.com

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  27. This series is very enjoyable! Thanks for the yummy recipe and the giveaway opportunity
    ejbs3s@yahoo.com

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  28. Looking forward to reading the newest Magical Cats mystery. Cats are magical on their own, even if they don't possess special powers. Thanks for the recipe and please share your Corn muffin recipe when you figure out what went wrong. I'm thinking the levening didn't get mixed in well. dbahn@iw.net

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  29. The cover looks good! I have never read any of this series, I've never seen them. Would love to try them! Lydnatmom84@outlook.com

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  30. Great post. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win.
    doward1952@yahoo.com

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  31. Intrigued by the "blueberry grunt"... Thanks for the giveaway! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  32. Wonderful recipes! And I enjoy this series. lkleback@hotmail.com

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  33. Can't wait to read! rhondajgothier@yahoo.com

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  34. Thanks for the giveaway! I can't wait for the this book to come out!
    Dtk070305@gmail.com

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  35. Ah, the seasonal shift in fruit salads. We help less than sterling fruit along with the addition of some passion fruit syrup from Auntie Lilikoi in Hawaii.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  36. Love love love this series!
    Sarah2323 at gmail dot com

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  37. MMMM....Those muffins sound pretty good. I'll have to try them with our extra bananas. Your book Faux Paw would be great to read while enjoying those muffins.
    kozseys@gmail.com

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  38. A belated welcome, Sofie! I won't confess how long we've known each other, through the Sisters in Crime Guppies chapter -- let's just celebrate your new book instead!

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  39. I have an old copy of the "Lilly Wallace" cookbook. I use it all the time. I love "The
    Magical Cats" series and I am looking forward to the newest installment. dr(dot)oldsmobileaticlouddotcom

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  40. Yummm! Who doesn't love chocolate and bananas?! =)

    kidisitor@yahoo.com

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  41. I'll have to try this recipe.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  43. The muffins look yummy! I absolutely adore this series and have been looking forward to the new book. glendajoy42@outlook.com

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  44. This sounds like a really good and easy recipe. Thank you!
    davisel1830@hotmail.com

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  45. I used to make muffins as a ministry to our elderly parishioners and they loved it. Your recipe is most enticing. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of your book. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  46. I will definitely be adding this muffin recipe to my recipe box. My family loves muffins. Thank you so much for the chance to win your new book!
    dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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  47. Now I'm hungry! And I love the book cover! Thanks for the chance to win! lovesdogsandbooks (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  48. On top of a great mouthwatering muffin recipe, a great giveaway, too! If it wasn't for these blogs and reviews..and recipes, I'd never know about some of these "must read" books. Thanks. kat8762@aol.com

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  49. Looks like a new mystery series for me to delve into. Thanks for the chance to win and the recipe! LindaLee56@gmail.com

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  50. The muffins look delicious! Thank you for the chance to win. crossxjo @hotmail.com

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  51. I love muffins & these recipes are mouth watering. Thanks for this awesome chance at your wonderful book, I do appreciate your generosity. Linda May my email is: lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  52. Welcome! Thanks for the recipe and giveaway!
    sharonbabyme@yahoo.com

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  53. I'd be so excited to win your book!
    Karlene
    rebarger@bellsouth.net

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  54. Great recipe and looking forward to reading the book. Thanks for a chance to win Lois Rotella@ rainonlois@aol.com

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  55. My hubby would love these. I may try them next weekend. Thanks for the recipe and for the chance to win your book! Hdkris11@yahoo.com

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  56. love banana muffins and love anything with chocolate chips in it! so it sounds delicious!
    love almost everyone in the Magical Cats series! yay! for a new book!

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  57. I love this series! And the muffins sound delicious. Thanks for the chance to win the new book. Dnrocker@yahoo.com

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  58. I've gotta try the muffins!! Thanks for the recipe!! Thanks for the chance to win your book!! lindawillison9@gmail.com

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  59. I love muffins, chocolate, and bananas - so these sound delish! Just discovered your books about 2 months ago and LOVE them. hcalhoun78@yahoo.com

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  60. No need to enter me in the drawing. Just stopping by to say I LOVE Sofie's
    books and I've been looking for a recipe just like this. Can't wait to try it.

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  61. Can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks! frybbe@gmail.com

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  62. Della at deepotter@peoplepc.com Banana's and chocolate are favorites at this house so will be giving them a try. Son and family are coming for the weekend so a double batch is in order. Thanks for this chance at a new recipe and a new book. Always on the lookout for both.

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  63. Wish someone would bake them muffins for me!
    sandie.white@live.com

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  64. Wish someone would bake them muffins for me!
    sandie.white@live.com

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  65. I love this series. It is wonderful. Thank you for the chance!!
    Moonbay7399@gmail.com

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  66. The muffins look so good. They will be a great treat as I read your book. Thank you for the chance to read your book. I have recently discovered cozy mysteries, and am excited to add your book to my collection. It will get a good home and be treasured .
    Deana
    Jhdwayne@peoplepc.com

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  67. I can almost taste them! Mmmmmm
    Can't wait to try them.
    Thanks, reneejr@earthlink.net

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  68. Yum! Those muffins look good!
    I love the Second Chance Cat series you write as Sofie Ryan & I'd love to try this one out.
    bpwoodfield@gmail.com

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  69. The muffins sound delicious and I love the book cover! I'm always on the lookout for cat-related mysteries.
    tcuevas@iccable.com

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  70. These look wonderful. Really looking forword to the new Magical Cats. Thanks

    gibsonbk at hiwaay dot net

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  71. I love Owen and Hercules! I can't wait for Faux Paw. zukeeper.geo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  72. Great muffin recipe, I plan to try soon. The series looks great, adore cozies and cats! Thank you for the giveaway , lilflynracer at msn.com

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  73. Mmm, muffins! I do have a teenager in my house, so I expect they won't last long. LOL And I love mysteries with cats. Thanks for the chance to win! bunkielisa at gmail dot com

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  74. Hi everyone! I'll be picking a winner tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

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  75. Hello. You'll notice it's not morning. My apologies for being late posting the winning names. I had dental surgery today and the time was changed to an earlier time at the last minute. My face looks like I just did a round in a MMA cage so Mr. K picked the winners. Yes, winners. He seems to be incapable of selecting just one. So congratulations to Celia Fowler and Robin Coxon. You've each won a copy of Faux Paw. Watch for an email from us in your Inbox. And a big thank you to Krista for inviting me to visit

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