Home » Baked Goods, Banana, Breakfast and Brunch, Nuts

Banana Walnut Muffin

1 December 2008 32 Comments

Regular readers might know that I am not much of a baker. Actually, I don’t bake at all! Following a recipe to the exact measures is not something I can do very well. I always have to make some substitution or variation to make a recipe my own. Without having any basics in baking, I don’t have the know-how to make successful alterations, which makes it a very boring process. So I normally stay away from baking altogether.

Well, that changed last week when I had a week off, the first part of which I was at home. The plan was to just vegetate and relax and recuperate. It was fun for the first three days, and then I got somewhat bored. I had resolved to stay inside the house those days (a small money saving tip for shopaholics like me) so I had to find something to do in the house to keep myself busy and I decided to give baking a chance. All I had in hand were a couple of mushy bananas, and all I could think of were Banana Nut Muffins, my favorite kind of muffins!

My Baking book by Carole Clements (which I picked up at some sale years ago) had a bunch of muffin recipes. I followed the basic muffin recipe from there and referred to Tyler Florence’s banana nut muffin recipe on the Internet and made my first ever banana walnut muffins. These turned out to be pretty good! These were really moist inside with just the right amount of sweetness and with all the extra walnuts I added, I liked these better than the store bought versions, I couldn’t believe I made these! Also, it was so darn easy and the kitchen smelled so nice, I am loving this baking thing! I know, muffins are the easiest baked goods, but one day I might even get to a real yeast bread!

muffins 016

Ingredients

(For 6 muffins)

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1 small egg
  • 1/3 cup sugar, firmly packed
  • 1/6 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Method

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line 6 muffin cups with paper liners or with vegetable oil.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt and keep aside.

In a large bowl, place the bananas and smash with the back of a wooden spoon. Add the melted butter, sugar, egg and vanilla essence to the bowl and beat well to combine.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. With a wooden spoon, stir in the chopped walnuts.

Fill the prepared cups two-thirds full. Sprinkle some walnut pieces on top. For even baking, half-fill the empty cups with water.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Muffins are done if a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Transfer to a rack to cool.

banana nut muffin5 

These muffins tasted better the next day. You can refrigerate these and heat gently in the microwave for a quick and easy breakfast.

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32 Comments »

  • Happy Cook said:

    Wow that says it all :-)
    It looks beautiful and delicious.
    I love muffins with banana and walnuts. It is a wonderfull combo.
    Looking forward to all your bakings from now one

  • Raaga said:

    Absolutely yummy… when I posted this: http://chefatwork.blogspot.com/2008/06/banana-nut-muffins.html

    your comment was:
    home baked muffins for a road trip, you are amazing sweetheart… Banana nut muffins with extra nuts are my favorites, but I have to make do with store bought ones… Its about time I get over my fear of baking, huh? :)

    So, I am so glad you have gotten over yor fear of baking.

  • sra said:

    Hey Sig, you’ve been busy, and so many posts too – have been preoccupied with the events here :cry: and couldn’t keep up.

  • Meeta said:

    looks sensational!

  • arundati said:

    cant believe you haven’t baked!! am glad you did…. this looks fab!!

  • Manasi said:

    Its always muffin time around here when the bananas decide to go rot. This recipe looks like a keeper. Maybe this time I’ll decide to let the bananas rot :wink:

  • sunita said:

    Those muffins look perfect! Glad you decided to have a go at baking. It’s such fun, once you get used to it :smile:

    btw, you’ve got mail :smile:

  • sig said:

    Thanks HC! :)

  • sig said:

    oh yeah I forgot about your muffins… I do remember admiring them on your site though… :)

  • sig said:

    I finished up a bunch of pending drafts during the holidays and used the new Wordpress scheduling feature to publish one by one while I was away! Glad I got away with all the drafts… , these were really bothering me… Don’t worry about keeping up with the posts… I know how busy it can get! :)

  • sig (author) said:

    Thanks Meeta! :)

  • sig (author) said:

    :) I know, I give that appearance of a big time cook right? Its all smoke and mirrors ;) Oh and thanks :)

  • sig (author) said:

    Yeah I have thrown away rotten bananas before, not anymore :)

  • sig (author) said:

    Oh yeah, you baking queen… :) Hope I will be as creative in the baking front as you are one day!

  • nags said:

    lovely! i love baking but never do enough of it.

  • Ramya said:

    The muffins looks gorgeous, it definetly looks moist.

  • rachel said:

    am so glad you baked that I got to see these gorgeous creations presented so prettily…

  • Remya Sushanth said:

    Hey Sig, the Muffins look mouthwatering. :smile: Especially the combination seems to be awsome. Myself an Amateur cook. I do try most of your recipes which comes out well and my family really loves it. Isnt that :cool:

  • Swapna said:

    Muffins looks delicious….I love baking and it’s very easy and fun once you get used to it :neutral:

  • Namratha said:

    Looks good Sig, I baked a banana walnut loaf…great bakers think alike eh? :wink: Ya ya you are being crowned a great baker… :grin:

  • Aparna said:

    Looking at these pictures, no one would believe these are a first time effort.
    So maybe we’ll be seeing more such stuff here. :???: And I’m looking forward to the day of the yeasted bread. :wink:

  • sharmi said:

    your Pics are getting too good and professional :smile: hmmm Simply awesome.
    I too make these when bananas starts to darken and everybody starts ignoring it :wink:

  • Joie de vivre said:

    Well done! See, you can bake if you put your mind to it! :)

  • Pearl said:

    wow! thanks for sharing – they are so adorable!

  • Whole Wheat Banana Walnut Bread : Live To Eat said:

    [...] a successful Banana Walnut Muffin experiment, I wanted to get a bit more creative on the baking front. This time I made a Banana Walnut Bread [...]

  • priyanka said:

    One of my favorite muffins (and i like only a couple of flavors)…the pic is pretty tempting. However i usually make muffins without eggs:)

  • srilekha said:

    wow! it looks delicious and yum!
    join in the sweet event going in my blog!
    do visit my blog when u find time!

  • Banana Muffins said:

    comes out great, thanks.
    here is another nice one:

  • Susan from Food Blogga said:

    These are the prettiest muffins, Sig. The orange mat just makes them pop!

  • lena said:

    hi sig,
    i tried this and came out perfect for me n my 1 year old..
    i love ur blog…photography..u r an inspiration to me nt just in cooking…

    regards
    lena

  • sig (author) said:

    Thanks Lena! Glad it turned out well for you.

  • Cathy said:

    Hey sig,

    When you say vanilla essence, do you mean vanilla extract? If not, can I use vanilla extract? or do i have to buy vanilla essence?? :mrgreen:

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