Banana Crumb Muffins

I love being a "foodie" and I am really enjoying getting into the persona. Last night, Justin and I had a quick Dairy Queen run. I got a simple vanilla ice cream cone that was dipped in chocolate. As I was eating it, I realized just how long it had been since I had a simple ice cream cone that I actually ate without a spoon! Ice Cream Shoppes have changed so much-- offering such different things--like Cold Stones (i.e., the ice cream cookie I had last week, and funnel cake!), that sometimes it's nice to enjoy ice cream the old fashion way. I got the hubby a root beer float-- another classic :) After having a late nice ice cream run-- Justin, the hubby and I enjoyed a game night. Justin and the hubby were adorable as they enjoyed a fun night of Mario Kart as Ninja and I just watched.

On a totally different topic: growing up I always had home cooked meals (yes, I love my mommy) even though my mom was a working mom. What she would do is spend either a Saturday or Sunday cooking--ALL day. Well, she has inspired me :) Now that I am married--and hope one day to have children-- I want to be able to provide home cooked meals everyday (and yes--that includes those lovely left over days). But going to school full time and having such a hectic schedule makes it difficult. So, I stole a piece from my mom's book- and decided to cook ALL day today! Well not technically all day-- I cooked all day and stopped when the sun went down because I photograph all my food with natural lighting. And well there is no point cooking if I cannot blog about it, right?! ;)

I really need to start learning other things to make for the hubby's breakfast other than muffins, but until then, for this week his breakfast is banana muffins with a brown sugar-cinnamon streusel (crumb). These muffins came out really well! They looked and smelled amazing-- and since the hubby is the taste tester- he said it tasted awesome and he really enjoyed the crumb:) He said these muffins tasted like banana bread topped with a sweet, crunchy topping.

BANANA CRUMB MUFFINS

Adapted from Lovin' the Oven

INGREDIENTS

Preheat Oven to 375F Degrees

FOR THE MUFFINS

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

3 large bananas, sliced into medallions

3/4 c. sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/2 c. butter, melted 

FOR THE CRUMB TOPPING

3 tsbp. all purpose flour

1/3 packed brown sugar, light

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. butter, softened

DIRECTIONS

For the Muffins:

Set up by lining muffin trays with liners or grease each muffin well. Then in a medium bowl whisk together flour and baking soda- set aside. In the bowl of a stand-mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix bananas starting on low speed until slightly mashed and then increase speed to thoroughly mash bananas- until "liquidy." Then add sugar, egg, and melted butter and combine well. Next slowly stir in dry ingredients until just well incorporated. Evenly distribute batter among 11 muffin wells, filling 2/3 of the way full. 

For the Crumble:

Whisk together flour, brown sugar and cinnamon  Then cut butter into mixture (I cut the butter into the mixture and then used my fingers to combine well)- until the mixture resembles a corn meal or sand like texture. Completely cover each muffin with crumble. Bake for 18-20 minutes- until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy,

Chika