Going bananas

After a visit to Sam's Club, I have about 100 lbs. of bananas.  I knew when I bought them, they would not all get eaten b/c only one of my children even likes bananas.  (including me)  However, subconsciously I was probably thinking about the awesome recipes I have that call for bananas.  Somehow, when you mix bananas, sugar and chocolate, they go from blah, too AWESOME!  Imagine that.  So last night I decided that we (read "I") would make Chocolate Banana Muffins this morning.  I did really good and gathered all the ingredients I would need (and utensils) and put everything on the counter last night so I wouldn't wimp out and not fix them this morning.  This really made things easier since I'm so NOT a morning person.  Made the muffins, and all I can say is....THANK YOU PAM!!  I don't personally know Pam, who does the For the love of cooking blog, but, I heart her.  Some of my favorite recipes are from her site.  Check it.

Don't they look yummy and delicious and chocolaty?

  I love that the recipe calls for whole wheat flour, and only a 1/3 cup canola oil.  The only changes I made were:  instead of 1/2 cup white sugar, I cut it back to 1/4 cup - b/c I figured bananas are pretty sweet.  We did not miss that extra 1/4 cup.  Next time I might cut the white sugar all together!  Of course, since I cut back on the sugar I thought, hmmmm, why don't we add some powdered sugar on top?!  It looks so pretty on chocolate.

see!

Also, I had to make it "eggless" for my little allergy boy, so I used my standard baking substitution - 1 T. milk, 1 T. white vinegar, and 1 t. baking powder in place of the egg.  The only difference I can tell is that the muffin is a tiny bit crumbly, but not bad - and a little butter on the hot muffin takes care of that ;)   I use Smart Balance Light w/ EVOO.  Adding mini chocolate chips would make it even mo'betta, and I would definitely cut the sugar then.  Also, this would be a good recipe to add in zucchini or some pureed carrots/squash whatever.  I didn't do this today b/c I am making zucchini bread later....lots of carbs today.

My little runny nose man after eating TWO muffins - he "stole" the second one!