I am big on routine. I get set in my ways and need to remind myself to loosen up and mix things up sometimes. Lately, we've been adjusting to a new morning routine. With my son starting middle school this year, it means an earlier start to the day. We're out the door closer to around 7:30am rather than the 8am or so timeframe we were accustomed to. So far, I think I actually prefer the new schedule but I happen to be a morning person.
So when you think morning, you must think breakfast! With the earlier start to the day, I need a lineup of quick and easy things for us to eat during the weekday mornings. Since my son eats lunch quite early with his fellow 6th graders at school, breakfast doesn't have to be big. It isn't always a muffin but muffins definitely make the cut for weekday breakfast. It's one of those things my son eats quickly and it's just so convenient for everyone.
So I've got breakfast and, specifically, muffins on my mind these days. When I saw these chocolate banana swirl muffins in a recent issue of Bake from Scratch magazine, I was happy to try it. The original recipe was for banana chocolate espresso muffins but I kept it a bit more kid-friendly with just chocolate.
Think marble cake...for these muffins, you mix up a banana muffin batter, then set some of it aside and stir in melted chocolate to make a chocolate version to go with it. I baked the muffins in regular muffin tins rather than jumbo-sized ones as the recipe intended. I found the thick batter difficult to swirl so I basically ended up with dual components - plain banana muffin on the bottom and banana chocolate on top. Visually, it would be fun to have more of a swirl throughout but I think dolloping the two muffin batters alternatively into the muffin cups - instead of dropping the plain batter in first, followed by the chocolate one, and then swirling - would likely do the trick for a more even incorporation of the two.
All that said, these banana muffins disappeared quickly. They're moist, fragrant, and flavorful. It's classic banana muffins, with a punch of chocolate thrown in, making for an interesting bite that you want another one of as soon as you take the first. It's a pretty good way to start the morning, if you ask me!
So I've got breakfast and, specifically, muffins on my mind these days. When I saw these chocolate banana swirl muffins in a recent issue of Bake from Scratch magazine, I was happy to try it. The original recipe was for banana chocolate espresso muffins but I kept it a bit more kid-friendly with just chocolate.
