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Light, Sunday Morning Banana Muffins
Sunday Mornings call for tasty treats and these muffins are de-lish! They are a great use for those sad brown bananas and are pretty quick to prep. Bonus – you can use only 1 bowl (less dishes to wash…yes please!). Most importantly, they are scrumptious!
When you allow bananas to turn brown and almost mushy, they become extra sweet, which makes them the perfect ingredient to use when trying to bake using less sugar. These muffins use agave nectar as a sugar substitution which adds a slightly “nutty” flavor. Slivered almonds the perfect complement if you are a nut lover.
Take to bananas out of the freezer about 15 minutes before you cook start prepping!
Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2/3 cups coconut oil
1/2 cups agave nectar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cups slivered almonds or walnuts
Prepare your muffin tin by greasing all 12 muffin cups.
Melt coconut oil in the microwave until it’s fully liquid. Add agave and whisk, once combined, add 2 eggs and combine thoroughly. Add in bananas, baking soda, vanilla, chia seeds, salt and flour. Mix to combine and until dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Fold in nuts.
Divide batter evenly between 12 muffin cups.
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let these babies cool and serve!
Enjoy the perfect little snack, quick breakfast or mid morning pick me up!
xx,
gracegrl
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Rustic Cheesecake Bites
These cheesecake bites are rustic and delicious!
They’re lightened up so you can eat two or three and not feel guilty! They’re also not super sweet either, with just 1/4 cup brown sugar, you don’t have to worry about that sugar high. (wink wink) You can also make these ahead of time so they’re the perfect little bite for an afternoon tea or dessert with guests!
Makes 30 mini cakes
- 1 1/4 cups crushed Graham Crackers
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350
Line a mini muffin tin with mini cupcake liners. Put 1 package of Graham crackers into a Ziploc and whack with a wooden spoon to make crumbs! Mix crumbs with butter and place in the bottom of each baking cup, press firmly to pack and create the crust! Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven and let cool completely (about 10 minutes).
For the Cheesecake
- 1/2 cup cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup fat-free yogurt at room temperature
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg at room temperature
Place all ingredients in a large bowl, mix together with a whisk until well combined and smooth. Using a teaspoon, spoon cheesecake on top of each graham
craker crust, tap gently ontable to remove any bubbles and ensure the tops are smooth after baking.Bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes, remove cheesecakes from muffin pan and let cool an additional 10 minutes. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Chill completely before serving (chilling ensure they’re properly set!).
Special note: The reason for the “room temperature” ingredients is that it helps keep the cakes from cracking after baking and further ensures that smooth top!
Enjoy these tasty morsels, if you want to get extra fancy, top each one with a fresh raspberry! Yum Yum.
xx,
T
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Antipasto On A Stick!
Antipasto is top on my list of “go-to” appetizers! The only problem is that most require plates, and cutlery, leaving you with even more dishes to do at the end of your soiree! Enter Antipasto Skewers! They offer the perfect mixture of everything and are a tasty “2 biter”. Be sure you have some cute cocktail napkins, and cocktails of course, and you’re good to go!
Antipasto Skewers: Purchase your favorite Antipasto fixings. I always opt for a combination of the following:
- Olives
- Salami
- Artichoke hearts
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Mozarella cheese
- Fireroasted peppers
Gather some cute skewers and start building! It doesn’t get much more simple than that!
My formula usually starts with mozzarella and ends with an olive!
Happy Hosting!
xx,
T
