When “Littlest Guy” was still a baby, his teeth were slow to come in (and still are now that he is almost two!). We wondered if he even had teeth underneath those light pink gums. So, when we began introducing solid foods at the pediatrician-recommended three-to-four months, we took great care to purée scrumptious, organic fruits and vegetables into smooth, creamy submission. Still, “Littlest Guy” didn’t have much interest in anything but his baby milk.
One morning, Ima (mom) made healthful, whole-grain, spiced banana muffins for a mid-day brunch. Ima adores Sunday brunch. Of course, the menu should include two things: a crisp, carbonated rosé or classic, bubbling champagne – and a luscious, honeyed pastry.
This recipe is delectable, while salubrious: it is low-sugar, low-fat and fruit-filled. The light, golden top is swirled with ribbons of sweet, earthy cardamom. The flavor profile echoes notes of warm, sultry molasses; comforting, familiar banana and spicy cinnamon and nutmeg.
Ima went for a beautiful morning walk – and came home to discover Abba and baby “Littlest Guy” happily munching on muffins at the kitchen table. Abba (dad) said, “Well, I guess he likes muffins.”
Ima was amazed – leave it to an Abba to surmise that a munchkin would enjoy muffins. “Littlest Guy” began a long, passionate relationship with solid foods.
Banana Brunch muffins were “Littlest Guy’s” gateway goodie. He now has a special affection for this toothsome treat – and devours it with vigor (using all nine teeth!).
Fortunately for Ima, preparing the nutritious dish is no arduous task. The batter is blended to creamy, velvety exquisiteness in minutes with a food processor. The muffins rise in the oven to golden, shiny glacé goodness in only twenty minutes.
I hope that you try this mouthwatering recipe for your next brunch – or whip up a tasty batch for your special “Littlest Guy” (or Girl!).
Thank you for visiting us at Casa Curls and Carrots. See you soon! Warmly, Shanna________________________________________________________________________
Littlest Guy’s Banana Brunch MuffinsPerfect for a classy adult brunch – or a munch for your “littlest guy” or girl Wet Ingredients: 3 very ripe, large bananas, sliced 1/3 cup 0% Greek yogurt 1/3 cup unsalted butter 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/2 light cup brown sugar, packed 2 large, fresh eggs, at room temperature Dry Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1/4 cup quick oats 1 tsp each: baking powder and baking soda 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. fine salt cardamom, per your taste, to sprinkle onto muffin batter canola oil cooking spray, to spray muffin cups Special Equipment: 15 standard muffin cups (to line muffin tin) 2 standard muffin trays (with twelve muffin cups in each) 1 large ice cream scoop Preparation:
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©Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, shannaward.com (2013), unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without expressed and written permission from this blog’s author, Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward, and/or owner is strictly and completely prohibited. ________________________________________________________________________ |
Curls and carrots 
Ah, Look at those precious eyes. The best part of cooking/baking is when you see your Precious Ones are enjoy eating. Priceless!
Hi, Fae,
Thank you for your lovely note. Yes, you are right – the little ones are inspiration to cook alone, aren’t they?
Have a great Sunday!
Warmly,
Shanna
Yummy!!! Send some over! 🙂
🙂 Anna, thank you for your nice comment! I wonder how long it would take for them to arrive? They might not be so fresh, haha! Be well, Shanna
Those muffins do look delicious Shanna. And I just love cardamom… it’s my saver du jour, only I could have it every day! Littlest Guy sure looks happy!
Hi, Lidia,
I, too, ADORE cardamon. I seem to find ways to put it in everything. It is especially good with almonds in an Indian dessert called Almond Burfi, which is quite tasty.
Thank you for your warm and kind words – I am so glad that you stopped by! Have a great week and stay warm. 🙂
Best wishes,
Shanna
Those muffins look so good! Littlest Guy is so cute. Thank you Shanna for sharing your recipes with us.
Hi, Kiyo,
Well, thank you for leaving this generous and kind comment – and for stopping by for a “visit.” I hope that you have a wonderful, warm day in sunny Hawaii. It is quite cold here in New Mexico and there is snow on the mountains today.
Best wishes,
Shanna
You have a way with words, Shanna. What a description for those muffins! Am totally making those 🙂 And what a cutie pie your little guy is.
Hi, Liz,
Thank you so much for your kind and sweet note. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the muffin recipe – and the prose. I enjoy writing and am constantly trying to improve. Your feedback is encouraging to me. Have a lovely day – and do let me know if you try the muffins.
Warmly,
Shanna
So adorable!
Oh, thank you so much, Ekaterina! Have a lovely day. Best, Shanna
Your nicknames for everyone is too cute 🙂 I love that you put Greek yogurt in your banana bread! I like to put it in my cake and cupcake batter.
Hi, Jenn. Thank you for sweet words! I appreciate your encouragement! 🙂 I am glad to hear that you are also a lover of integrating Greek yogurt into baking. Do you usually use a 50-50 yogurt to oil or butter ratio in your cupcakes and cakes? Have a great day! Best wishes, Shanna
I add 1 serving (about 1 cup) to my batter that has 1/2 cup butter.
Have a great night, Jenn. Happy yogurt-ing. 🙂 Best, Shanna
Hi Shanna – Littlest Guy is ADORABLE! What a cute story too – I love that the ingredients in these muffins are so healthy and don’t have too much sugar in them either….
Hi, Selma,
First, I spent the afternoon at vintage stores – but, sadly, nothing was purchased for props. I must try again. The town I live in currently has a disappointing collection of vintage stores. On another note, guess who found a gorgeous, never worn Elie Tahari blouse at a “vintage” store for $7? 🙂
So, I am with you on the sugar issue. When I bake, I generally use 75% less sugar than most recipes and still feel the goods are quite sweet. I also use other tricks to make our daily snacks both tasty and salubrious. With this recipe in particular, bananas that are quite ripened are have high amounts of residual sugar – additional sugar is needed in small quantities. You can tell how sweet the bananas are by tasting your batter (before raw eggs are in the mix, of course, if this is of concern). Be well – and I am elated that you stopped by. Warmly, Shanna
Wonderful score on the blouse Shanna! Just keep your eyes peeled for props in the meantime I guess 🙂 x
Hi, Selma – Yes, I shall keep my eyes peeled! 😉 Warmly, Shanna
The closest thing I have to a Littlest Guy is my 63-yr-old husband, but I’ll bet he’d gobble up these great muffins, too, and maybe even get the same twinkle in his eyes. 😉
Kathryn,
Well, I am sure that you and your husband are both quite adorable. Of course, every cute person needs a muffin now and then. Happy tummies equate to happy folks, right? 😉 I do appreciate you stopping by. I enjoy your blog – and your photo is fabulous. You look GREAT. 🙂
Take care,
Shanna
That face is SOOOO CUTE! 🙂 🙂 Oh dear, still teething? I hope its not too painful. A few years ago I had a painful wisdom tooth (that ended up with all my wisdom teeth being pulled out). It was so awful and painful that I felt sorry for all the babies teething 🙂 Banana muffins must be great! xxx
Hi, Sofia,
Thank you so much for reading the post. Your warm and kind comments are also taken to heart. It is a pleasure to have you here! Your wisdom teeth sound like they have been a bit of trouble. I actually went through the same situation in my mid-20’s! As for the “Littlest Guy,” he is still teething, though almost two-years-old – and is grouchy about it. hehe. Have a great day. I will have to find a way to get you some banana muffins! Warm regards, Shanna
These look great! My little guys all love muffins too. I completely agree about brunch. It is my favorite meal and MUST include mimosas. Christmas Day brunch is what I look forward to all year! Your little guy certainly is lucky to have a mommy who fixes him such yummy treats.
Hi, Gretchen.
Brunch, check. Yes, please.
Mimosas, check, check. Plus, so many fun ways to make a mimosa unique.
12/25 brunch – oh my. This needs to be immediately incorporated into routine. Nice idea!
A sincere and heartfelt thank you for the warm comments. Have a great day – and be well.
Warmly, Shanna
You should check out cooking light’s banana bread recipes! They have tons and if the little guy’s feeling adventurous, I’m sure he’d love them! 🙂
Hi, Josie – That sounds great. What are your favorite recipes from CL for banana bread? I am sure Littlest Guy would love to try something new! Thank you for stopping by! Warmly, Shanna
Oh, i super-like it! I’ve printed the recipe, i’ll try them. (not for brunch, unluckily! – In Italy we don’t have this habit), altought i think it’s beautiful on sunday to sleep till late and then to prepare slooowly a beautiful brunch, with many finger foods and cupcakes as “dessert” 🙂
Aaah.. Also Littlest Guy is so cuute, like his sister 🙂
Hi, Cris,
I do hope that you enjoy the recipe. They would certainly be perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. Let me know how you like them. Thank you for your lovely words and visit. Have a wonderful day!
Warmly,
Shanna
This sounds delicious and I love it that you add some cardamon in it. I love the smell of cardamon. I have to check my cardamon stock. Thanks for sharing this one too!
Hi, Liz,
I am also such a fan of cardamom – especially with banana. Thank you for stopping by and leaving some kind words. Enjoy your day – and happy baking.
Warmly,
Shanna
Hi Shanna, Your littlest one is absolutely adorable. It’s so rewarding to make nutritious food for children and watch them enjoy it! Priceless…. My little one inspires me to cook, try new recipes and cultivate his little palate! His teeth were slow to come in too. He’s now almost 16 months old and still only has four! Thanks for sharing. —Martine
Hi, Martine,
Thank you for your kind compliment and warm words!
Your little guy is very lucky to have a mom who cooks him such healthy and tasty food (to eat with all of his four, cute teeth!). Thank you for sharing about your inspiration and family!
Warmly,
Shanna
Adorable child and so nice to see the child eating a homemade, baked healthy snack!
Thank you for your kind words. They warm my soul and bring a smile to my face. 🙂 I hope you have a lovely evening. Sincerely, Shanna