Peanut Butter Banana (Chocolate Chip) Muffins

Muffins - Bakery Style (and healthy!)

I was in the mood for muffins...but not just any muffins! You see, I love muffins and muffin-shaped foods - I could eat muffins every day and love it! Yet, sometimes my muffin recipes end up with flat tops, or they're too heavy, and it breaks my heart. So, I've been doing some research...

In searching for how bakeries get that big, puffy, delicious muffin top, I began to notice how some recipes called for a baking temperature of 425 degrees, before lowering it to 350 degrees to continue baking. Intrigued, I had to try it. And viola! This recipe, from Sally's Baking Addiction, tested just that and was a huge success!

Almost full 

I found the recipe on Pinterest (where else?) and within minutes I was in the kitchen. And my grandmother's "Ellen is baking something" sensation must have been tingling because she stopped by the house just in time to try one! (And may I say, they totally passed inspection.)

Baking the muffins at 425 degrees for the first 5 minutes made such a difference, for it gave them a chance to puff up on the top, then continue baking after lowering the oven to 350 degrees. I also followed the instructions when filling the muffin pan, and put the batter nearly to the top of each liner (this recipe made 12 wonderful sized muffins.)

Now, for the taste - delicious! The chocolate chips are optional, but something about peanut butter, honey, and chocolate just makes a girl happy. I added a handful of mini dark chocolate chips into the batter, and sprinkled some on top before baking. (That's what I call posh!) Not to mention, these muffins are healthy! Healthy with everyday items! I'm all for good-for-you meals/snacks and these were perfect! Made with whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt, no butter, no oil - it's a muffin good enough for breakfast or a mid-day snack! (or both...and maybe lunch, too) I know you'll just love them! So, click here for the recipe, preheat your ovens to 425, get your ingredients out, and let your posh shine!

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--

AMAZING Whole Wheat Banana Bread

BANANA BREAD - Whole Wheat & Wonderful!

There are SO MANY recipes out there for banana bread...trust me. I've looked! And then I found this one...You see, these browning bananas in my kitchen have been watching me for a couple days, and I knew I just had to take care of them. No banana looks at me that way and doesn't get made into a recipe! Meanwhile, I had been looking for a banana bread recipe which could be considered a "bread"  (meaning we could slice it, toast it, peanut butter it up, etc) rather than a cake or 'treat.' PLUS I wanted it to be made with whole wheat flour and act as a good, solid foundation for breakfast. This bread, below, this one simple recipe - made all these wishes come true. (But be careful what you wish for... or else you, too, could end up with 2 loaves of absolutely delicious banana bread and no self control to eat just one slice for breakfast.)

By searching on Pinterest (and after gawking at all the mouthwatering pictures), I found several recipes, most of which called for applesauce, or honey, or didn't lend themselves to becoming whole wheat. First, we didn't have any applesauce (so I planned on using plain nonfat Greek Yogurt, instead). Second, my honey stash was running low. Thirdly, I wanted this to be a breakfast type of bread, so the 'healthier,' the better. Finally, I settled upon the recipe found here, with a couple modifications of my own... 

This recipe was so easy, too! Mix the wet, add the dry, pour into the prepared pans, and bake! (Then stare at it until it cools enough to eat it.)

And finally, slice it up and eat it!! Its amazing!! It totally keeps it's "bread" shape (not too crumbly or cake-like), it's fantastic with peanut butter (and the extra crunchy honey peanut butter my daddy picked up...great find!), and toasted... words can't even describe it.  

So, search for that perfect whole wheat banana bread goodness no longer - and try this one! Eat it for breakfast, make it a snack, do it up sandwich-style, anything goes! (And then let me know how you like it!) And see how you can make it your own. Add that 'posh' and see what happens :)

With love (for food),

Ellen

--A dash of posh can make all the difference in your next dish!--