All content copyright Katrina Hall 2008 through 2025

Monday, June 24, 2013

big banana muffins on a hot day













Boy, it's hot.  I mean 97 degrees hot, and that is not something those of us who live in the mountains of New Hampshire are used to.  I have it down to a science:  Wake up at 5 am, open all the windows, then a few hours later as it starts to heat up, close all the windows, put down the shades and go soak in a cool pond.

In this kind of heat, I do my baking early, too.  With the windows open, the kitchen doesn't heat up as much.  Why I get the baking urge on days like this is a mystery - maybe it's the Super Moon, which I didn't get to see because of the cloud cover.  This morning I tackled those wonderful brownies of Maida Heatter's( using toasted pecans instead of walnuts) washed the bowls, then whipped up some big banana muffins, mild and slightly sweet;  spongy but nicely filling.  I like to add a little rolled oats and lemon zest and cinnamon , which makes them a lot more interesting than just using mashed bananas.

Stay cool, wherever you are!


Big Banana Muffins

Preheat oven to 350F.
Grease one Texas size muffin tin, set aside.

2 large bananas, mashed in mixer bowl
1 t. lemon zest
1 extra large egg
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 T. canola or mild olive oil
1 cup buttermilk

Mix the wet ingredients well, then add:

2 cups King Arthur all purpose flour
1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant oats)
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Using an ice cream scoop, fill the muffin cups about 3/4ths full ( I use two scoops of batter, using a normal size ice cream scoop).

Set muffins in upper third of the hot oven, bake for 25 minutes, or until tops spring back when gently pressed.

Enjoy!





6 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

Well it's almost 90 F here shade.. just came in from a few hrs of gardening..
It's been rainy and freakishly humid the last couple of days so spent peonies needed trimming clover needed pickin..and all the other weeds needed a lift:)
Your muffins are glorious..
Gotta check out the brownies ..
I know you appreciate the seasons as I do:)
You live in a beautiful part of the world too..but our winters can be a touch long..so right now is really the time to cherish color right?
WE pull the blinds taht we do have down too..Bedrooms.. no where else..
Makes a difference!

katrina said...

Nana - just in from watering WHEW it's hot! Not complaining too too much, since you'll remind me how I complained in February:)

Actually bought blinds because of the summers - the old house faces south, so it heats up quickly. Alas, not so in the winter.... Thanks for swinging by, Nana! Love, love, loving your flower photos these days, as always!

Sue/the view from great island said...

I love these---the one mistake most people make with muffins is not making them big enough!!

katrina said...

Absolutely, Sue! Me? I need a big muffin to start me on my day, glad you agree!

diary of a tomato said...

The heat stress has me craving something sweet, and am experiencing the same baking urge. Have been thinking a lot lately about how to set up a summer kitchen on the porch outside...

katrina said...

Dear Diary - Love that idea! They knew how to deal with summer in the old days, didn't they? With all the canning you do, it would certainly be more comfortable.