A Nerd Cooks

... and bakes and mixes the occasional cocktail!

Muffins

Gingerbread Banana Muffins

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These Gingerbread Banana Muffins are spicy like gingerbread, but super moist thanks to the addition of bananas. These delicious muffins will convince you to not limit your consumption of gingerbread goodies to Christmastime!

Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Even though the Christmas season has come and gone, I don’t think that that’s any reason to not enjoy the warm spicy flavors of gingerbread. It’s still the middle of winter, after all.

Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

These muffins are moist (bananas), spicy like any good gingerbread should be, and have slightly sticky tops (thanks, molasses!). The crumb topping is sweet and keeps things interesting, texturally.

Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

In creating the recipe for these muffins, I tinkered with the number of bananas, as well as various amounts of molasses and spices. I was looking for a muffin that had all of the moistness of a banana muffin without tasting too banana-y. If that makes sense. I also wanted the gingerbread flavor to be pretty prominent without being overbearing.

After three tries, I think I’ve ended up with a winner of a recipe. I hope that you agree.

Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Banana Gingerbread Muffins
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18 muffins
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
For the muffins
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 5 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extact
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup molasses
For the crumb topping
  • 8 tbs unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
To make the muffins

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two muffin tins with cooking spray; set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda together. Set aside.

  3. In another medium-sized bowl, combine the bananas, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and molasses. 

  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined.

  5. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling them approximately 3/4 of the way full.

To make the crumb topping

  1. Toss all ingredients together with a fork until crumbly.

  2. Top the muffin batter with the crumb topping, dividing it evenly between each of the muffins.

  3. Bake the muffins for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick, when inserted into the center of a muffin, comes out clean.

Need more gingerbread goodness in your life? Check out my Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies!

Or maybe you need more muffins? Of course you do. Try these Apple Oat Streusel Muffins and Gluten Free Muesli Muffins. You could also check out these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and Double Chocolate Banana Walnut Muffins!

Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

 

Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Banana Gingerbread Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Gluten Free Muesli Muffins

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These Muesli Muffins are gluten free AND refined sugar free! In addition to being a bit on the healthier side, they’re plenty tasty.

Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Muesli is sort of like granola in that it’s made up of oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc. However, it’s not baked. Check out this article from The Kitchn for more info.

It’s good hot or cold (I like mine cold with almond milk + frozen blueberries) and you can make it with whatever component parts that you fancy. Eating it will make you feel healthy AF. Good stuff.

Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

And as it turns out, muesli also lends itself well to healthy-ish muffins!

These muffins are full of oats, almonds, and grated apple. They are sweetened with real maple syrup but are kept bright and zingy with the addition of lemon juice and zest.

Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

The recipe for these Gluten Free Muesli Muffins comes from Bon Appetit.

5 from 1 vote
Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Gluten Free Muesli Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
For the muffins
  • 1.5 cups gluten-free white rice flour (see notes)
  • 1 cup almond flour (or almond meal)
  • 1 tbs flaxseed meal
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbs fresh lemon juice
  • 2/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2/3 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 1 Pink Lady apple, grated
  • 1/2 cup skin-on sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free old-fashioned oats
For the topping
  • 1 tbs virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tbs pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup skin-on sliced almonds
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free old-fashioned oats
Instructions
To make the muffins

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Set aside. 

  2. Whisk rice flour, almond flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until no clumps remain. Set aside.

  3. Whisk eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, 2/3 cup maple syrup, and 2/3 cup of coconut oil in a large bowl. 

  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk to combine. Add the apple, 1/2 cup almonds, and 1/2 cup oats; mix to combine. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each to the very top.

To make the topping

  1. Mix remaining 1/4 cup almonds, 1/2 cup oats, 1 tbs maple syrup, and 1 tbs coconut oil together in a small bowl to combine. 

  2. Sprinkle the topping evenly over each muffin.

  3. Bake muffins for 25-30 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and a toothpick, when inserted into the centers, comes out clean.

Recipe Notes

Notes: The original recipe calls for oat flour, but I couldn't find this at my grocery store. White rice flour served as a good sub.

Need more Fall muffin recipes? How about Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, or Apple Oat Streusel Muffins?

Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

 

Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Gluten-Free Muesli Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Jumbo Blueberry Muffins

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What’s better than a regular blueberry muffin? A jumbo blueberry muffin!

These Jumbo Blueberry Muffins are BIG, full of sweet blueberries, tangy lemon zest, and have domed tops that are also crunchy (thanks to the addition of turbinado sugar)!

FYI – this post contains affiliate links

Jumbo Blueberry Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Sometimes, you gotta go big. Jumbo, even.

Sometimes a regular sized muffin just will not do. Sometimes you want a big ass muffin like you’d get in a coffee shop. Know what I’m saying?

When that desire strikes, look no further than these Jumbo Blueberry Muffins.

The recipe is based on one that I’ve used before (see these Bakery Style Double Chocolate Muffins). Naturally, I swapped out chocolate for fresh, sweet blueberries and zingy lemon zest.

Let’s give the component parts time to shine!

You may have started to catch on, based on recent posts in the past, but I’ve taken to photographing some of the major ingredients in my recipes. These blueberries deserved a chance to shine on their own!

I did that here, in my post about Basil Infused Vodka, too.

Jumbo Blueberry Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Okay, so you don’t have to make ’em jumbo.

Of course, you can always make regular-sized muffins from this recipe. I’ve included baking instructions (as the times will vary) for both regular and jumbo muffin varieties.

Basically, what I’m saying is: you do you! There’s no wrong way to muffin.

What equipment should I pick up to make this?

  • If you want to go jumbo, it’s well worth it to pick up a couple of these jumbo muffin pans. I picked them up some time back and really like them.
  • This regular muffin pan is nice too.

They’re both Wilton products, which I always trust to be high quality. Not an ad but… Wilton, get at me.

  • I also have these spatulas in teal, and love them. They’re basic, but get the job done.
  • You can find turbinado sugar in most grocery stores, but in case you can’t, you can find some here.
5 from 3 votes
Jumbo Blueberry Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Jumbo Blueberry Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
32 mins
Total Time
47 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 jumbo muffins
Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbs baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbs unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 pint blueberries, reserving a few for topping muffins
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • Turbinado sugar, for topping muffins
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners (or spray with cooking spray) and set aside.

  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together for a couple of minutes.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well.
  5. With the mixer on low speed, alternate between adding the dry ingredients and yogurt.
  6. On low speed, fold in the blueberries and lemon zest.

  7. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling them all the way to the top. Top with some extra blueberries and turbinado sugar to make them look extra pretty.

If making jumbo muffins (makes 8)
  1. Bake the muffins at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes.
  2. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for 22 more minutes, or until slightly browned on top and a toothpick/knife, when inserted in the center of each muffin, comes out clean.
If making regular-sized muffins (makes 18)
  1. Bake the muffins at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
  2. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for 15 more minutes, or until slightly browned on top and a toothpick/knife, when inserted in the center of each muffin, comes out clean.
  3. Cool in the pan for a couple of minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

 

More muffins is the answer.

Anyone who disagrees can fight me. Kidding. Mostly ;).

If you want more muffin recipes, do yourself a favor and check these guys out:

Pin this recipe for later!

Jumbo Blueberry Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Jumbo Blueberry Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins

by 3 Comments

These Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins are sweet, flavored with Fall spices, and incredibly moist thanks to the addition of roasted sweet potatoes.

Up until today, it has still been HOT in North Carolina. Despite what the thermometer says, it’s Fall in my heart (and according to the calendar).

Pumpkin gets a lot of attention this time of year. I’m as guilty as the next guy of this, too. I love pumpkin. I’m a certified basic bitch, okay?

BUT there are other seasonal vegetables that deserve our attention. Take the humble sweet potato, for instance. They’re naturally sweet and delicious, a vibrant orange color, and perfect in baked goods.

These muffins are super moist, just like a pumpkin quick bread, and the honeyed pecans add a nice bit of crunch. They’re perfect for breakfast or a snack.

These muffins will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

Print
Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 muffins
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup apple sauce, or vegetable oil
  • 2 cups sweet potato, about 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, roasted and mashed
  • 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped, plus more for topping the muffins
  • honey, for drizzling onto muffins
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves together. Set aside.
  3. In another medium-sized bowl, combine the sugars, eggs, oil, and mashed sweet potato until smooth.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined. Fold in the pecan pieces.
  5. Divide the batter between the muffin cups (they will be very full). Top with a few more pecan pieces. Drizzle the top of each muffin with a little honey. The honey helps the pecans on top to get candied a bit while baking.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.
  7. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

In search of additional sweet potato goodness? Check out these Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies! Or maybe you’re on the hunt for more breakfast treats? Try these Sweet Potato Waffles with Candied Pecans on for size.

Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins

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These chai spice muffins, studded with dark chocolate, are perfect for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

So, there have been a lot of muffins (see Apple Oat Streusel, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, Gluten Free Muesli, and Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins) with big Fall flavors around here lately. For this I will not apologize. Also can we talk about how my computer does not recognize “streusel” as being an actual word?

Continuing on the Fall Flavor Train, these muffins are pretty aggressively spiced, resulting in prominent chai spice flavor. I feel like pumpkin spice gets all the action, but we shouldn’t forget about chai.  It’s spicy and warm, and perfect for this time of year.

Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

This recipe is based on the one from these Bakery Style Double Chocolate Muffins.

Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbs baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper
  • 2 tbs unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 3.5 oz dark chocolate, roughly chopped
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.

  3. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together for 2-3 minutes.

  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add vanilla and mix well.

  5. With the mixer on low speed, alternate between adding the dry ingredients and yogurt.

  6. Fold in the chopped chocolate.

  7. Scoop the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling them all the way to the top. Bake the muffins at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.

  8. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for 15 more minutes, or until slightly browned on top and a toothpick/knife, when inserted in the center of each muffin, comes out clean.
  9. Cool in the pan for a couple of minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Chai Spice Chocolate Chunk Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Apple Oat Streusel Muffins

by 3 Comments

These Apple Oat Streusel Muffins are moist, tender, and full of apples and fall flavors. Plus, they’re topped with a spicy, crunchy streusel!

Apple Oat Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Yes, it’s muffins again.  If you’ll recall, I shared these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins with you all a couple of weeks ago.

But now we’re back with another really great fall flavor combination: apples and cinnamon.  They’re really tender, and an unrealistic part of me likes to think that they’re sort of healthy because they’re full of apples, coconut oil, and oats. See other apple and cinnamon-related goodness here: Apple Crisp.

This recipe comes from Celebrating Sweets.

Apple Oat Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Apple Oat Streusel Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
For the muffins
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup cooked plain oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 cup finely chopped apple (see notes)
For the streusel -
  • 2 tbs all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbs old fashioned oats
  • 2 tbs brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbs unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions
To make the muffins

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Set aside.

  3. In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, brown sugar, eggs, oatmeal, and applesauce. 

  4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined. Add the apple and stir until combined.

  5. Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups.
To make the streusel

  1. In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon. Work the butter into the dry ingredients until it resembles wet sand.

  2. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the 12 muffin cups.

  3. Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until a toothpick, when inserted into the center, comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Recipe Notes

Notes: I used a Gala apple and left the skin on

 

 

Apple Oat Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

by 6 Comments

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are moist and tender, full of pumpkin flavor, and studded with mini chocolate chips.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Though I generally use pumpkin in my cooking and baking year-round, it’s now officially Fall. It’s that time of year where we all turn into basic bitches. Pumpkin recipes are fully acceptable. Prepare yourselves.

Actually, I take that back. Sort of. I’m going to try to exercise some amount of restraint this year. If I can’t limit the overall quantity, I’ll at least make an effort to scatter non pumpkin recipes throughout the coming months.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Pumpkin and chocolate really do play well together, though, and are perfect in these muffins.

See this pumpkin cheesecake (with an Oreo crust and chocolate bourbon sauce!) and these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for more examples.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

This recipe is slightly adapted from Sweet and Savoury Pursuits.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable/canola oil or apple sauce
  • 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus more for on top of muffins
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves together. Set aside.

  3. In another medium-sized bowl, combine the sugars, eggs, oil, and pumpkin puree until smooth.

  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.

  5. Divide the batter between the muffin cups (they will be pretty full). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center.

  6. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Double Chocolate Banana Walnut Muffins

by 3 Comments

These (double) chocolate banana muffins are studded with walnuts. They’re moist and chocolatey. The chocolate chips and walnuts keep the texture interesting.

Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Let’s talk about these muffins. Yet again, I had bananas sitting on my counter top that were on the verge of being too ripe for consumption. You’ll notice that this happens a lot. See these muffins, this banana bread, or these banana bread cookies for just a few examples.

Until now, I hadn’t done a chocolate banana muffin. They’re chocolatey, still retain some banana flavor, are kept moist by the bananas and oil, and are kept interesting in terms of texture by the chocolate chips and nuts. This recipe makes a big batch, too. So they’re perfect for sharing.

Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

This recipe comes from All She Cooks.

Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 muffins
Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 4 medium-large bananas, very ripe
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup chocolate chips, plus more for topping
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped, plus more for topping
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray muffin tins with cooking spray and set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the bananas until they are well mashed. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, olive oil, and milk. Mix until everything is combined. Add the sugar and mix until combined again.

  4. In a couple of batches, add the dry ingredients to the wet. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed. Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
  5. Fill the muffin tins up almost halfway with muffin batter. Top with some more chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife, when inserted in the center, comes out clean.
  6. Cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin before removing the muffins to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

 

Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Double Chocolate Walnut Banana Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins

by 4 Comments

These Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins are full of chocolate and raspberry flavor, and are kept super healthy by using bananas and Greek yogurt, too!

Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

For those of you who saw my Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread earlier this week, you can see that a bit of a pattern is forming here. That pattern is delicious baked goods about which you don’t have to feel so bad for eating!

I’ve been grabbing one of these muffins to have as a mid-afternoon snack every day this week. They definitely satisfy cravings for something sweet and carb-y, while still being pretty decent for you. The sweet/tart pop of the raspberries adds a nice contrast, too!

Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

I put the next recipe to appear on this blog to a vote on Facebook (click on over and give A Nerd Cooks a like!), and these muffins beat out some macaroni and cheese and a broiled grapefruit by a landslide!

Don’t worry, the mac and cheese and grapefruit will be posted next week.

Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Thank you, Sally’s Baking Addiction, for this recipe.

Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 muffins
Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips, plus more for topping
  • 1 3/4 cups ,fresh raspberries frozen
Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.

  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Set aside.

  3. In another bowl, combine the honey/maple syrup and brown sugar. After removing as many of the lumps as possible, add the bananas, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix to combine.

  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and start to combine. Stream the milk in, continuing to mix until everything is combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and raspberries, being careful to not smash them or dye the entire batter pink with the raspberry juices.

  5. Using the prepared muffin tin, fill the cups to the top. Sprinkle with some more chocolate chips, if desired. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the muffins.  Let them cool completely.

Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Skinny Banana Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

by 3 Comments

These Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are 10/10. Moist, tender pumpkin muffins are topped with a crumbly and sweet streusel and then finished with sticky, sweet glaze. Pumpkin Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

Have I started going overboard with the pumpkin recipes this season?  I’m torn between wanting to keep myself in check and not really caring.  I’m only semi-cognizant of the “issue” because Sean will sometimes remark that everything I make during the Fall contains pumpkin.

At this moment, I guess I don’t really care so much.  Especially because these muffins are delicious.

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

I took them to a brunch over the weekend, where they were well-received.  Even the host’s dog managed to get a hold of (at least part of) a muffin; he seemed pretty pleased with himself, too.

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks

This recipe came from the blog Gimme Some Oven.

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks
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Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 18 muffins
Ingredients
For the muffins
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
  • 8 tbs unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the streusel topping
  • 2 tbs unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
For the glaze
  • 1 tbs unsalted butter melted
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbs milk
Instructions
To make the muffins

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line 18 muffin tins with paper liners, or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.

  3. In another medium bowl, combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well-combined.

  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until everything is combined. Fill the lined muffin tins ~2/3 of the way.

To make the streusel

  1. Combine all of the streusel ingredients in a small bowl. Use a fork or your fingertips to mix all of the ingredients together until a crumbly streusel topping forms.

  2. Top each of the muffins with ~1 tbs of the streusel topping.  

  3. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick, when inserted into the center of a muffin, comes out clean.

  4. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the glaze

  1. Combine all of the ingredients for the glaze in a small bowl. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cooled muffins.

Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Try these Pumpkin Streusel Donuts and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks Pumpkin Streusel Muffins | A Nerd Cooks