Muffins with Triple the Tastiness

I often make banana muffins for the daycare kids.  That's not really anything spectacular.  But throw in a handful of blueberries and strawberries and that's something special.  And tasty.  Definitely tasty.  I also tried to keep the sugar content down because all that fruit really sweetens things up naturally.



I think the kids appreciated the effort because these were gone in a flash!  I am glad I was able to snap some pics to share before the pan was empty.  But it's okay because I like serving foods that fuel their play in a healthy way.

Here's my recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 c flour


• 2-3 T sugar ( I use organic, unrefined)


• 1/4 c honey


• 2 t baking powder


• 1 t vanilla


• 1/4 t salt


• 2 large mashed bananas


• 1 egg


• 1/2 - 3/4 milk


• 1/4 c melter butter or oil


• 1/4 c chopped strawberries


• 1/4 c blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease well. Mash bananas and mix with honey, sugar and egg.  Mix remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to wet and mix until well incorporated, but don't overmix because it makes the muffins tough.  Start with 1/2 c of milk and add until the mixture moves freely and can be spooned into muffin tins.  Fold in strawberries and blueberries.  Spoon into muffin tins, about 3/4 way full.  Bake for about 15 -20 minutes or until browned.



What a great start to the day!  I hope you get to enjoy the day no matter where you are!

Sheri

Strawberry Shortcake

Just because I am so in love with the new camera, you're being treated to all kinds of goodies that occur often in my kitchen, but I rarely get the chance to photograph, let alone post about.  One of those things is Strawberry Shortcake.  We eat this year round and it is one of hubby's favorite desserts and I love making it.  It's easy to make and I usually have the ingredients on hand.  I actually recruited hubby to photograph the entire cooking session for you so here it goes...

First of all mix all of the dry ingredients together and cut in the butter and shortening until it looks like this:

 

Then, mix in the milk: 

Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet, or I use parchment paper.  You can make them as large or as small as you like, we like ours larger.  

After baking, I usually pile them high with sliced strawberries and fresh whipped cream while they're still hot from the oven.  Sometimes, I'll forgo the fruit and cream and just eat the shortcake soaked in vanilla almond milk.  Very yummy no matter how you eat it.

Shortcake Recipe

Adapted from Alton Brown - Food Network

2 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons shortening
1 1/4 cup milk

Heat oven 375 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Cut in butter and shortening. Mix in milk. Drop by large spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.  Serve warm or let cool.