Bakery Style Strawberry Banana Chunk Muffins

My Bakery Style Strawberry Banana Chunk Muffins are exploding with your favorite flavor combo.

Hot from the oven you can't eat just one!

 

Bakery Style Strawberry Banana Chunk Muffins

I'm a little late to the Fall baking party but I just had to share with you these fabulous muffins that use strawberries and bananas.  A favorite flavor combo right?  Since strawberries and bananas can be bought almost year round let's use some late summer ones to create a bakery style (large!) muffin.

Good sized chunks of strawberries and bananas are dispersed throughout these muffins so you get a burst of flavor in every bite.  These make a small batch of 6-8 depending on how much add-in you use and make the perfect weekend breakfast or grab and go during the week.  There is nothing better than a hot muffin, so make these soon, and see below for great tips on making the perfect muffin.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• fresh strawberries
• bananas
• eggs
• low-fat milk
• canola oil
• all purpose flour
• sugar or alternative sugar 1:1 ratio (for Keto, low carb)
• baking powder
• salt

Substitutions and Variations

• Use white whole wheat flour in place of the all purpose flour

• Make mini muffins or small loaves instead

• Doing a Keto diet or want lower carb? Use an alternative sugar of you choice as a substitute. I like King Arthur's sugar alternative.

• Any combination of fruit/berries (peaches, nectarines, plums, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) or add-ins (chocolate chips, shredded coconut, walnuts, pecans, granola, cinnamon chips) will work.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• 1st rule of thumb when making muffins is "do not overmix" the batter.  You want it batter to just come together.  Little spots of flour is okay.

• To get high muffin tops turn your oven up to 400 degrees.

• Make sure you are using fresh baking powder.  To test put 1/2 teaspoon into 1/4 cup of boiling water.  If it bubbles, you are good.

• Double the recipe for 12 muffins.

• Muffins can be frozen individually and kept for 3 months.

• Fill the muffin tin almost to the top for nice big domed muffins.

·        More Muffin Recipes

·        Strawberry Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins - Lower Carb Version

·        Pumpkin and Eggnog Swirl Muffins

·        Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins

·        Vanilla Chai Muffins

·        Cranberry Orange Muffins - Small Batch

·        Mexican Hot Chocolate Muffins

·        Simple Blueberry Muffins

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

Bakery Style Strawberry Banana Chunk Muffins

Makes 6-8

1 egg
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 large strawberries, cut in to chunks
1 medium banana, cut in to chunks

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 6 well muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. (you may need another tin for 8 muffins)

In a large bowl add the egg, milk, and oil. Mix together using a whisk.

Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, lemon zest, and poppyseeds.  Stir just until combined.  Do not over mix.  Fold in strawberries and bananas, holding a few back to add to the tops.

Using a cookie scoop, add batter to a muffin tin to make 6-8 muffins. Add the remaining strawberries and bananas to the top of each muffin.  Bake 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 5-10 minutes in the tin. Remove from the pan and serve.

Roasted Tomato and Spinach Flatbread Pizzas

For a quick and easy dinner try my Roasted Tomato and Spinach Flatbread Pizzas.  The flavors of garlic roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and spinach just burst in your mouth!

Roasted Tomato and Spinach Flatbread Pizzas

I'm on a flatbread pizza kick lately.  A couple of weeks ago I posted a recipe for my Flatbread Pizzas with Corn and Prosciutto (heaven!) and today I'm sharing my Roasted Tomato and Spinach Flatbread Pizzas.  This pizza uses Naan flatbread as the pizza bases which makes it quick and easy for you to make on a weeknight.  I'm not sure about you but I don't have time or energy to make pizza dough from scratch on a weeknight, so Naan is a perfect substitute.  They come out thin and crispy without all the fuss.  

The star of this pizza is the use of roasted tomatoes instead of pizza sauce.  Cherry tomatoes are cut in half and then tossed with fresh minced garlic and olive oil and roasted until they are bursting with juiciness.  This becomes your topping and your substitute sauce.  Next we use really good fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese and a touch of spinach.  Bake it off and voila, a heavenly pizza is ready to eat!  Make this today, you won't be disappointed.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• cherry tomatoes
• garlic
• Italian seasoning
• extra virgin olive oil
• Naan bread
• fresh spinach
• fresh buffalo mozzarella

Substitutions and Variations

• Use any pizza base your choose - pizza dough, pita, tortillas

• Use shredded Mozzarella cheese or other cheese

• Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese

• Add sautéed mushrooms

• Add torn basil leaves after baking

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Get everyone involved by letting them top their own individual flatbread pizzas.

• Leftover pizza will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.  Reheat on a sheet pan in the oven at 350 for 7-10 minutes with foil loosely over the top.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to emails at the top of this page and follow along on Facebook,  and Pinterest for all of the latest updates.

Roasted Tomato and Spinach Flatbread Pizza

serves 2

1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
kosher salt and fresh black pepper
extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

4 medium sized Naan bread 
1 cup spinach
2 tablespoon olive oil
fresh buffalo mozzarella, torn in to pieces

Preheat the oven to 440 degrees.  Place the sliced cherry tomatoes in a mound on a baking sheet.  Top with the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, some salt & pepper to taste, and add a good drizzle, about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the tomatoes.  Toss to combine makes sure all the tomatoes are coated, then spread them out on the pan so they are not touching.  Bake for 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes have burst and are starting to brown.  Remove from the oven.

Meanwhile in a skillet over medium heat add 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and allow to heat.  Add the spinach and sauté for a few minutes until wilted.  Remove from heat.

Place the Naan bread on a baking sheet.  Add the torn fresh mozzarella cheese sporadically over the flatbreads.  Divide the roasted tomatoes among the flatbreads, and top with the wilted spinach.  

Bake for 8-10 minutes at 440 degrees until slightly browned on the edges.  Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil.  Serve.  

Amazon Finds: 10 Entertaining Steals

10 great entertaining deals from Amazon!

I've found some great deals on Amazon for all your entertaining needs this Fall and beyond.  Everything from linens to serving dishes to charcuterie boards.  I've got you covered here.  Check out the items below for some of the best deals on Amazon's entertainment ware.

Enjoy!

1. 

Pumpkin Charcuterie Board - made from 100% Acacia wood 12"x13" - $29.99

Don't you just love this??? This is a great board to use for all your Fall and Halloween parties.  Use it as a cutting board, décor for your kitchen, and makes a great charcuterie or snaking board.  They also have a cute leaf shaped board that's perfect this time of year.

2. 

Stoneware Pitcher - Beautiful small pitcher 6.25" - $29.99

This can be used as décor in your kitchen and will suit most decorative styles.  It can also be used as a vase to hold faux or real flowers.  Serve water or juice in style to your family or guests.

3.

Wooden Handled Appetizer Forks - set of 6 $12.98

These are the perfect item for all your appetizer needs.  I've had my set for 4 years and they the same as the day I got them.  I use them for my charcuterie boards or cheese and fruit platters.  Great serving utensil.

4. 

Mango Wood Salad Servers - $16.99

I've had these salad servers for several years and they are really nice.  Long handles make it easy to toss salads.  They come in 8 different colors, I have the white ones.  Perfect for any kitchen and make serving so easy.

5. 

Fall Pumpkin Paper Napkins - 6.5" x 6.5" $15.99

Gorgeous paper napkins bring in all the colors of fall with the look of a painting.  The colors are modern and yet still rustic.  Add a special touch to your buffet, Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving, Autumn picnic, cocktail hour, or fall get together!

6.  

White Ceramic 10" bowlsWhite Ceramic 10" Bowls - set of 4 $31.19 (limited time deal) plus 5% coupon

These are big beautiful bowls.  I use these as serving bowls for side dishes, pasta bowls, soup or chili bowls, and salad bowls.  They are very versatile, elegant, and sturdy.  A really great all purpose bowl that will serve both your entertaining needs and everyday family meals.

7. 

Stainless Steel Serving Utensils - set of 6 $18.99

You know how the dryer eats one of the socks?  Well I have a drawer that eats my serving utensils!  I can never seems to have a whole set so I bought these.  Now I have 2 sets.  They are BEAUTIFUL.  It comes with 2 forks, 2 slotted spoons, and 2 serving spoons.  Great for all occasions and the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays.  A must have when entertaining!

8. 

White ceramic serving platters - set of 3 $29.99

3 platters in 14" &12" & 10" sizes with a gold rim, are staples in my home.   I use them when serving dinner family style and for special occasions such as dinner parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas, serving New Years Eve appetizers.  Perfect for every entertaining opportunity.  They are so versatile you can use them for everything from main dishes to bread plates.  Elevate your food presentation!

9.

Cotton Linen Tablecloth - $20-$30 depending on size

Everyone needs a great tablecloth.  This is a  beautiful neutral tablecloth with a delicate embroidered leaf motif.  I love the muted colors and delicate vine motif.  It is very elegant for entertaining yet simple enough for everyday dining.  It's a great Fall seasonal layer to your table.

10.

Wood rustic cake stand with acrylic dome and White elegant cake stand- $29-$39

A cake stand has a multitude of uses other than holding a cake.  Try breakfast pastries, a cheese board, fresh fruit, cupcakes or muffins, or even appetizers.  The wood one above is a 6 in 1 cake stand that you can turn it over and use as chip and dip, punch bowl, snack compartment tray.  This one is very versatile.

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Associates program. Should you purchase and items from some of the links above I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.