Becoming a Banana Minimalist

Hi my name is Stacey and I'm a banana hoarder!  Whew!  That feels better!  I have been a banana hoarder for over a year now and I feel like the first step to getting through this is just admitting it.  The funny thing is that I pride myself on not keeping things I don't need, not buying a lot of stuff/ things/ possessions, and living a life not full of "stuff."  Last week I watched a movie on Netflix called "The Minimalist."  It was so good, and even though I don't buy a lot of possessions it still made me think of all the stuff we have in our house that doesn't bring any extra joy to our lives but sometimes more stress.  Anyways it was probably that movie that opened my eyes even more when I opened up my freezer to realize that I was hoarding bananas.  I don't like to waste food so whenever the bananas start to get to the point where no one will eat them we just throw them in the freezer door.  I always say I'm going to get around to making banana bread or Carl will make smoothies with them but I guess we weren't doing what we said we were going to do!  Hence the Crazy Wertzberger Banana Hoarding of 2016/2017.  

It was then that I knew I need to take actions fast and become a banana minimalist!  I thawed out the bananas of one shelf and made a couple new recipes that turned out okay, and then decided to wipe out the second shelf of bananas for some good ole banana muffins and bread.

Lucky for you these turned out great and I am ready to give you my recipe!  You can take this recipe and cut it into half if you don't want so much, but as you can see I had a lot of bananas to use up.

Okay so first preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Then in a large bowl add in the mashed bananas, egg, sugar, melted butter,  and vanilla and mix until all incorporated.  Set aside.  

*Just a little hint that my wise cousin gave me was to peel your bananas before freezing and then put them in little baggies in the freezer.  Just label how many bananas you put in there if you are using for recipes.*

I recruited my little helper since she likes when she can be the mixer!

In another medium bowl add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon and mix until all incorporated.

I just love my little helper hands!

Add the flour mixture into the banana mixture and mix until all incorporated.

*Don't over mix as it will result in tough muffins.  This is where if you have little hands helping that supervision is needed!  Then just pour your banana bread/ muffin mixture into greased muffin/ cupcake tins or bread pans.  

To make streusel mixture put all ingredients (flour, brown sugar, cold butter and cinnamon) in a small bowl and mix by hand or fork until the butter is broken down really small and the streusel is crumbly.

Top each muffin with streusel mixture, a little under a tbsp. each muffin.  Bake for about 15-19 minutes until toothpick comes out clean, or you touch the top and the muffin springs back.

Let them cool and devour!

Banana Muffins

made 24 muffins, + 1 (9x5) banana bread

8 large, ripe bananas mashed

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. melted butter

1 tsp. imitation vanilla

3 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Streusel topping

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1/3 c. brown sugar

2 tbsp. butter, cold 

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees  In a large bowl add in the mashed bananas, egg, sugar, melted butter,  and vanilla and mix until all incorporated.  Set aside.  In another medium bowl add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon and mix until all incorporated.  Add the flour mixture into the banana mixture and mix until all incorporated.  Don't over mix as it will result in tough muffins.  Pour mixture into greased muffin/ cupcake tins.  To make streusel mixture put all ingredients in a small bowl and mix by hand or fork until the butter is broken down really small and the streusel is crumbly.  Top each muffin with streusel mixture, a little under a tbsp. each muffin.  Bake for about 15-19 minutes until toothpick comes out clean, or you touch the top and the muffin springs back.  Enjoy!