CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA CUPCAKES and BANANA MUFFINS

We had several ripe bananas, and I wanted to make the most of them before the fruit flies finished them off. I made a batch of cupcakes and a batch of muffins for a snack one afternoon, and the kids absolutely loved them.

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA CUPCAKES

2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium)
3/4 cup chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, combine the eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips.
Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350F for 20 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home Fun Food, August 2010
www.tasteofhome.com/

BANANA MUFFINS

1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup mashed banana (I put in 6 bananas - a bit more than 1 cup)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Heat oven to 425F.
Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners, set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well. Make a well in the center.
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed banana, oats, milk, butter and egg. Pour mixture into the well and stir until combined and dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full. Bake 15 minutes, or until muffins spring back when touched.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from The Arkansas Democrat Gazette, March 2012
www.arkansas.com/dining/recipes/