Banana Muffins

I started making these muffins a few years back and everyone seems to love them.  I find that a lot of the store bought muffins that I have tried have either a heavily artificial banana flavor or they don't taste like bananas at all.  This recipe gives you a moist muffin with just the right amount of banana flavor. I think they are delectable, but that is my humble opinion. Give them a try and let me know what you think. 

Ingredients: 

• 1  1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3 bananas, mashed

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3/4 cup white sugar

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1/3 canola oil

Instructions: 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line your muffin tins with paper liners.  While your oven is preheating, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg, vanilla and oil. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Don't overwork the batter. Spoon the batter into your muffin tin. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean. Make sure not to leave them in too long because this can dry them out.  

Pancakes

I used to think that making pancakes from scratch was difficult. When I finally had the courage to try it, I realized that it is no more difficult than using a box mix. Needless to say, I have never used a cake mix again. This recipe is a combination of recipes that I found online.

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 cup of milk + 1 tablespoon of white vinegar (or just 3/4 cup of buttermilk)
• 1 cup of flour   
• 2 tablespoons white sugar 
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt 
• 1 egg 
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Instructions: 

Combine the milk and white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes.  While the milk sits, mix the dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients once the milk is ready. Add the dry ingredients and mix until lumps are removed.  Let sit for 2-3 minutes.  Heat a skillet and spray with cooking spray or butter.  Place 1/4 cup of batter in pan for each pancake.  When bubbles start to form on the surface, flip the pancakes over. Cook until golden brown.  Top with a dab of butter and some syrup and you have a delicious breakfast.