Nutella Swirl Banana Muffins
Ever since I published this post on pursuing passions and shaking things up, I feel like I can’t keep my head on straight because it’s going in a million directions at once. Shortly after that post, I decided I’m going to open a business. I gave it a name and purchased a new URL, and it’s been utterly consuming my thoughts ever since. I’ve been down this path before, had crazy (and seemingly unattainable) ideas for what I want to do with my life, and they’ve always burned out in a matter of days. But this time, I’m hoping it sticks. It feels like it’s going to stick.
Only problem is, when you’re employed full time, dating a man who lives in a different state, and trying to simultaneously sleep every night and have some semblance of a social life, you run out of time really fast. Poor blog has taken a back seat for the umpteenth time in it’s life.
I still have a boatload of posts waiting in the queue, but I have at least been editing photos, so that’s something? And continuing to bake and put together new floral arrangements, so there’s plenty to share with you when I finally find the time to do it!
Today, however, I do have something new to share, and these beauties are wonderful. I’ve mentioned about 1,357 times how much I love banana bread, but I also love trying new recipes, so naturally these muffins were a perfect creation for me. Nutella is amazing on it’s own, so it can really only get better when you put in together with other great flavors, and these muffins certainly don’t disappoint.
The recipe is an easy one, and a total crowd-pleaser. My roommate and I hosted a New Years brunch, and among many other delicious dishes, we served these muffins. I ran out of Nutella along the way, so added chocolate chips to the rest of the matter, and those muffins were a hit too!
The muffins are a bit less dense than your typical banana bread, a bit more tender, and swirled with hazelnutty Nutella goodness. They bake up pretty and look way more impressive than the amount of effort they take. Gotta love those kinds of recipes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 medium over-ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- Nutella, for swirling
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin pan with liners (you'll need 18).
- In a medium bowl, whisk both flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a large bowl, add the banana and both sugars, and mix to combine. Add in the egg, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, and mix again until well incorporated.
- Add the flour mixture, and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until no lumps remain. and fold to combine with a spatula or wooden spoon, Slowly whisk in the flour mixture, until there are no lumps. Fold in the walnuts, if using.
- Fill each muffin cavity about 3/4 full. Place about 1 teaspoon of Nutella on each muffin, and swirl into the batter with a toothpick.
- Bake muffins for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature.
