Banana Crunch Muffins

Although I don't bake them often, a muffin, a glass of juice and a good cup of coffee are my favorite morning foods.  I have several banana muffin recipes that are oh, so good, and this one is at the top of the list.  It's quick and easy to mix together and the muffins are light and full of luscious banana flavor.  I chose it in the first place because of the addition of a cup of granola to the batter.  I make my own granola so the batter gets lots of oats, nuts and dried fruits. 

Banana Crunch Muffins...adapted from a recipe by The Barefoot Contessa

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 eggs
3/4 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup mashed banana (2 bananas)
1 cup medium-diced ripe banana (1 banana)
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup granola
1 cup sweetend coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line 18 large muffin cups with paper liners.  Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Add the melted butter and blend.  Combine the eggs, milk, vanilla and mashed bananas and add them to the flour and butter mixture.  Scrape the bowl and blend well.  Don't overmix.

Fold the diced bananas, nuts, granola, and coconut into the batter.  Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each to the top.  Top each muffin with some chopped nuts or dried banana chips, if desired.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool slightly and serve.

Notes:  I cut this recipe in half and made 12 regular sized muffins.  I want to freeze some of these muffins so mashed the third banana instead of leaving it in chunks.  And I left out the coconut because my gkids don't like it.  I hope you'll give this recipe a try.  There are lots of banana muffin recipes around, and this is one of the best.  Enjoy.

I'm joining in Mosaic Monday today at Mary's wonderful blog, Little Red House. I hope you will stop by to visit.  You will enjoy your stay.