Who doesn’t love a moist, delicious muffin? Whether for breakfast, as an afternoon pick me up, or post dinner treat, muffins are a staple in any bakers’ pantry. It is practically the universally accepted litmus test for baking skills. Don’t be fooled though, these simple desserts are not easy to perfect. From getting a crispy muffin top, to making sure your ingredients spread evenly and do not sink to the bottom, there is quite a bit that can go wrong. Fret not though as after multiple experiments and bakes, I’ve simplified and narrowed it down to the below recipe. What’s best? There’s chocolate and a use for those rotting bananas no one seems to want to eat.
So, what is the secret to a great muffin? A couple of tips and tricks will help elevate your muffin game:
- Mix wet ingredients in a bowl first and then the dry separately.
- Do not over stir. The mix should not be overworked.
- Use room temperature ingredients. This will help your muffins stay light and fluffy.
- Add your flavors last (always and with any muffin type).
- Use overripe bananas here. This will add to the aroma and smell is the first bit of taste we get!
- Cool properly. Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in their pan so they do not crack before transferring to a wire rack.
Banana chocolate chip muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (200g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 ripe bananas (medium) or 1 cup mashed
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of plain yogurt (120ml)
- 1/2 cup of oil (120ml)
- 1 cup of chocolate chips (170g)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 420F(215C). Once you put muffins in the oven, you will reduce the temperature to 400F.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, and baking powder together into a large bowl.
- Add sugar, salt and cinnamon into the sifted dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl mix mashed bananas, egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla extract.
- Add banana mixture (wet ingredients) into dry ingredients and gently stir just until blended making sure not to over-mix.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
-
Divide batter among 12 prepared muffin cups.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes on 400F (205C).
- Cool on wire rack.
More muffin recipes can be found here.
