Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

It's almost the middle of August here and I am wondering where this summer went!  I haven't been on here much because I am have busy traveling and visiting with people.  We are also in the middle of redoing our kitchen, so that makes it hard to do much baking!!  We keep changing our mind on how we want to do the kitchen, so things are everywhere!  One of the counter tops is even ripped off and leaning against the wall.  What a mess!  So hopefully the wheels will start turning on the remodel and I will be back to baking soon enough!  

But for now, here are some yummy muffins I made a little while back and forgot to put on here!  I recently got some of these fun little baking cups (my design is different because I found them at a little store near me, but The TomKat Studio sells them online!).  I wanted to see the difference between normal baking liners and these new baking cups.    

I wouldn't use the baking cups for everyday use and all the time, because they are more expensive, but they kept the muffins extra moist and none of the muffin stuck to the cup when I peeled it away.  You know how  when you use some muffin liners, a little of the muffin sticks to the paper and you don't really eat that (unless of course you try to eat it by scraping it off the paper with your teeth, which I would not recommend!).  

The baking cups are nice because you don't need a muffin tin to bake them in.  Simply place the cups on a sheet pan and you can fit more in, since they can be right next to each other.  Also, they are just extra special and cute, so they would be great for a party when you want those extra details.  

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

adapted from Food Network recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 medium bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla 
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.  Line 12 muffin cups with liners.  *You may get a couple more than 12*
2. In large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together: flour, baking soda, brown sugar and salt.
3. Add bananas, eggs, oil, milk and vanilla.  Mix until just combined.  **Do not use mix**
4. Stir in the chocolate chips.  
5. Fill the muffin tins with batter.  When you put the muffins in the oven, turn the temperature down to 375° and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a knife comes out clean.
6. Cool muffins and serve warm or room temperature.  

To remove the muffin from the baking cup, simply tear the paper cup away from muffin gently.  It should come off nice and clean!

Is it me or does mine kind of look like a sad face in the middle with the chocolate chips?!  Haha... just wanted to share!  

Enjoy!