Banana Muffins

When I crave muffins it’s usually blueberry but I had just bought a lot of raisins.

In the past I’ve had bad experiences with muffin liners, but I decided to give them another try and it turned out perfect. The wrapper came off with ease, the top was crispy and the center moist. They went faster than usual; I hoped I would have some left for breakfast.

Spiced Banana Raisin Oatmeal Muffins

• 1 banana
• 3/4 cup sugar +1 tsp molasses (or 1 cup dark brown sugar)*
• 1/2 cup organic shortening (or butter)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup hazelnut flour (or whole wheat flour)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• dash of cloves
• dash of cardamom

*I tend to add molasses to sugar in baking instead of buying brown sugar. Packaged brown sugar always turns into an unusable brick in a few weeks.

Preheat oven to 350°. Break up the banana into large chunks, add sugar and molasses, mix briefly. Then add shortening, mix till completely smooth, and then add eggs one at a time till incorporated. Then mix in spices, oats, and raisins; followed by the rest of the dry ingredients. Grease or line your muffin pan and fill to 1/4 inch below the rim. I made only 10 muffins that way; if you distribute less per cup you can make 12 smaller ones. Bake for 25mins, check with a skewer.

and then there were none…