Gaia's Easy Banana Nut Muffins

It can't be that simple, can it?

Actually, yes, it can. A few ingredients, and some of them are not even needed. At bare minimum, a box of cake mix, 2 eggs,and 3-4 bananas. anything else is just putting some flair on it in a way that makes you happy, and maybe not always Tammy down the street. She likes Coconut mix-ins with the German Chocolate cake mix variation. While delicious, I'm sure, I just don't have a taste for coconuts. But I digress. We are here today to go bananas, and it's nuts! (Oh yes, I'm a punny one, I'm sorry.)

Ingredients:

- 3-4 Ripe bananas: The darker the banana, the sweeter it will be!

- 1 Box of Yellow Cake Mix

- 2 Large Eggs

- 1/3 cup of Chopped Walnuts

- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

- Optional ingredients: (See Variation Suggestions below!)

Equipment:

- A Large Mixing Bowl

- Muffin tin: With or Without liners, it's up to you. Just know that no-liners will darken faster.

- Fork (for mashing)

- Whisk

- Toothpick (To check the muffins, Don't worry, I'll show you how!)

- Oven: Preheat to 350

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7LFuUwlEq8

What to do:

- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F

- Step 2: Mash the bananas - It doesn't have to be a uniform paste. Small clumps are fine!

- Step 3: Add the eggs

- Step 4: Add the dry box mix - This will be a a bit thick and banana-chunky. Good. Just don't let it have clumps of dry flour!

- Step 5: Add nuts - I measure in handfuls. This is supposed to be to your preference If you are extra nutty, dump in half the bag, If allergic, omit. Simple.

- Step 6: Add cinnamon (and/or other mix in variations) and mix together.

- Step 7: Portioning the batter - fill your prepped cups/tins about 3/4 full. A scoop could help you not to be a messy like me! I'll get there one day...

- Step 8: Bake in the oven at 350F for about 18 minutes. If you didn't use a liner, keep in mind they will brown a little faster! Look for your desired level of golden brown.

The Toothpick Test

An old method I use to check cakes and muffins on if they are done is the Toothpick Method. Just stick it in the center of the cake and pull it out. If it's covered in batter and moist, put it back in the oven for a few minutes and check again. If it's ready, it will come out clean with nothing sticking to it.

Variations

- Substitute chocolate chips instead of (or even with) the walnuts

- Add in 2 Tbsp of Nutella for chocolate-hazelnutty goodness

- Try using other cake mixes like a Devil's Food, Butter Pecan, or Spice Cake

Freezing muffins: I have most certainly heard it is possible to do so for the standard 'up to 3 months', but honestly.... mine never make it long enough to get to the freezer.

At the end of the day:

If your bananas have gotten dark on you and you need to use them before they go too far, it's the perfect way to use them up! Save the peels for the garden and give a treat to the plants as well! At least, if you needed another excuse to make them. It's so customizable, and you can mix and match so many combinations with this basic recipe. A quick and easy go to, it's always a repeat snack at our house. Plus... bonus that your house smells of banana goodness for a while.

Let me know what your favorite combinations of cake mixes and add-ins in the comments!