Banana Oat Muffins // Gluten Free

My kitchen floor is a powdery disaster. My feet pick up a mix of flour and carrot shavings that fell off the counter last night as I was making dinner (a serious pet peeve of my husbands....) and the goo-crust from homemade dough is about caked onto the countertops so thick (that stuff should seriously be considered for a super glue replacement) that I dread scrubbing it off with my homemade-non-toxic-vinegar-all-purpose-spray. 

But when your child wakes up at 5 in the morning, you lay back in bed hoping to drift off into slumber at approximately 5:40 and cannot for the life of you get cranberries and oranges off the brain, you get up out of bed, brew a pot of coffee (decaf, but it makes me feel better) and get to baking scones. Naturally, like all mom's would do when faced with the opportunity for more sleep. (......)

The scones aren't quite ready to share on the blog yet, BUT these muffins are. Yet another reason for flour-y floors. I wont tell you how many baggies of baked goods I have lying around because of my need to get food out of my head and into the oven. For my first attempt at developing a baked treat from scratch, I'm pretty impressed. I know it's no french pastry but it's simple and got the approval of many a friend who I may have forced to try while I waited anxiously for their approval. 

Yields 12 muffins

Dry ingredients:

2 cups gluten free oat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Wet ingredients:

3 very ripe bananas

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ cup melted coconut oil

Preheat oven to 350 f

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. In a stand mixer on low speed, mash two bananas and sugar until completely smooth with very few banana chunks. Add eggs, one at a time and vanilla, followed by the coconut oil. You may need to increase the speed of the mixer for the oil to completely combine with the other ingredients. Slowly pour in the dry ingredients little by little, pushing down the sides when needed. Slice the other banana lengthwise then horizontally to create smaller pieces and gently fold them into the batter with a rubber spatula.

Line or lightly grease a muffin pan and using a 1/3 measuring cup, fill the tins with batter. Sprinkle a couple oats on top if you like. 

Don't forget to lick the bowl. It's the most important step. 

Bake those puppies for 20 minutes....and prepare for your kitchen to smell p-h-e-n-o-m-e-n-a-l. (Your taste buds will be happy too.)

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Homemade Chocolate Banana Fudgsicles

When I was a kid it was a summer time tradition to run down the hill to the neighborhood ice cream truck and grab any one of the assortment of cartoon themed popsicles or ice cream cones. I was never a huge fan of "fruity" sweets, but have always loved chocolate, so of course I begged my mom for some change to buy a fudgsicle. Mmmm.....icey, creamy, chocolatey childhood goodness. 

I'm sure those fudgsicles were not the healthiest choice. With summer in full swing  I've been craving one of these lately and decided to recreate my own healthier version.

This recipe is naturally sweetened with raw honey. Avocado and coconut milk add a decadent creaminess, and it's dairy and refined sugar free! A touch of coconut oil boosts your healthy fats for the day. Who knew you could feel so good about eating something so delicious!? I love finding new and healthier versions of treats we all know and love. 

Ingredients:

1 avocado 

3 heaping tablespoons of cacao or cocoa powder

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1 cup coconut milk

A dash of salt 
A dash of cinnamon

1/2 banana, sliced very thin

Combine all ingredients except the banana in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Use a spoontula to push down what might get stuck to the sides. 

Fill the popsicle molds about 3/4 of the way full. Add three slices of banana to each mold, and top off with more fudgsicle mixture if needed. Place your sticks in, and pop them in the freezer for 2 hours to set. 

Makes 6 popsicles 


Linking up with A Harvest of Blessing

“Homemade Chocolate Banana Fudgsicles” is part of a blog relaunch series entitled 

"31 Days of Responding to Him" 

Follow along here