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Banana Red Walnut Muffins

I’m chasing a white whale, I know it. But my Ishmael is clearly the perfect bakery muffin. I’ve got the texture down pat. The pancake mix is really what does it. However, I am still searching for that exquisite domed top, the high rise of those Panera Bread behemoths.

I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve that you’ll see in the coming weeks. I hope you don’t get tired of my experiments! I’m not there yet, but I have managed to make some pretty spectacular muffins along the way.

The Banana Red Walnut muffins you see on your screens are no exception. If you’ve never seen red walnuts, try to find them. I happened upon them in the produce aisles of my sister’s favorite H-E-B (that’s the main grocery store chain in San Antonio). The skin of the walnuts is such a vibrant crimson, I wanted to save one and paint a wall in my house the same color!

The flesh is still starkly white, and they taste no different than any other walnut. Just crisp and crunchy, and the perfect nutty note for these muffins.

You may call me crazy, but when I make banana nut muffins, I prefer not to mash up the bananas. I love the intense flavor that comes from leaving the bananas in whole chunks, diced in small pieces.

If mashed up bananas really float your boat, don’t let this recipe deter you. Simply mix the mashed bananas into the wet mixture before adding the flour. Or try it my way and add the bananas at the end, the way you would chocolate chips or the walnuts. (Side note: chocolate or butterscotch chips would be an excellent addition here.)

My brother-in-law shared these Banana Red Walnut Muffins with his fellow firefighters a few days ago, and I’m told they were a hit. If you’re inspired, take a batch of these to your nearest fire station. I’ve never met a firefighter who didn’t love to eat. Especially sweet things!

Firefighters do so much for us, when we’re at our darkest – I’m pretty sure your local station would be blown away if you thank them before you need them.

[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Banana Red Walnut Muffins – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]

Aimee @ Simple Bites

Sunday 29th of January 2012

Banana-Walnut -- the perfect duo! I've never seen red walnuts. I'll have to have my sister (now in Texas) to send me some.

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction

Wednesday 25th of January 2012

These muffins are lovely! Darron adores banana muffins, so I know he'd love these.

Tracy

Tuesday 24th of January 2012

I've never made muffins with pancake mix before - brilliant! And I love the idea of taking these down to the fire station!

Casey@Good. Food. Stories.

Monday 23rd of January 2012

Amber, I swear you need to open a muffins-only bakery. Well, maybe muffins AND scones.

Katrina

Monday 23rd of January 2012

Cool! These muffins sound awesome.

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