Banana Bran Muffins!
Cooking with children is a culinary adventure that can ignite the senses and bring out the inner foodie in even the most reluctant parent. The joys of cooking with children are many, from the thrill of creating something delicious together to the pleasure of watching little ones discover new ingredients and flavors. The satisfaction on a child’s face as they whip up a batch of banana nut muffins or toss together a simple pasta dish is simply priceless.
And let’s not forget the educational benefits of cooking with children. Measuring ingredients, following recipes, and learning about new foods are all valuable lessons that can help children develop important life skills and foster a love of healthy eating.
But the true joy of cooking with children lies in the bonds it creates. Sharing a kitchen with your little ones is a chance to connect, communicate, and create lasting memories. It’s an opportunity to pass down family traditions and create new ones, all while indulging in the simple pleasures of good food and good company.
So whether you’re an experienced chef or a novice cook, grab your apron and your favorite little sous chef and get ready to experience the joys of cooking with children. Your taste buds (and your heart) will thank you.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas, (2 medium)
- 1 cup buttermilk, (see Ingredient notes)
- 1 cup unprocessed wheat bran, (see Ingredient notes)
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, (optional)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
Step 2: Whisk eggs and brown sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in bananas, buttermilk, wheat bran, oil and vanilla.
Step 3: Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the dry ingredients; add the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips, if using. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups (they’ll be quite full). Sprinkle with walnuts, if using.
Step 4: Bake the muffins until the tops are golden brown and spring back when touched lightly, 15 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen edges and turn muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
