Fancy Banana Muffins

This is the same recipe as for standard-sized muffins except that a mini-cheesecake pan is used and the baking times are different.  This recipe makes 24 cute little muffins. 

The keys for success with this recipe are:

1. Use the ripest bananas that you can find.  Ripe bananas have much more flavor.
2. Adjust the flour if you have to.  Because bananas differ in their moistness as they ripen, you may have to add a couple tablespoons of flour.  The batter should be half way between cake batter and cookie dough for drop cookies.  It should be stiff enough that it can mound in your scoop. 
3. Start out with a hot oven.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and then reduce the temperature as directed.  The initial hot oven creates a burst of steam that helps lift the muffins.
4. Check the cooking time.  Because you turn the temperature down, times are only an estimate and reflect the time required in our oven.  Other ovens may retain heat as ours does. 

Fancy Banana Muffins

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 cups ripe mashed banana
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup sour cream (not low fat)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup pecan or walnut pieces

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl, mix the mashed banana, sugar, sour cream, vegetable oil, egg yolks, and vanilla together. 
3. Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until the ingredients are mixed well.  Fold in the nuts. 
4. Put the removable bottom disks in the pan and fill the tins.  Use all the batter for 24 muffins.  Sprinkle on the optional streusel topping. 
5. Bake for 6 minutes at 400 degrees.  Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 6 to 10 minutes or until done.  Remove the muffins by pressing the bottoms up with your finger.  Place the muffins on a rack to cool. 

Streusel Topping

1/3 cup walnut or pecan pieces
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted

To make the streusel topping, combine all the ingredients and stir until well combined and crumbly.   Sprinkle over the muffins before baking. 

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