Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins - yummmmm! Does this double the deliciousness, you say? No!!! I reply - emphatically shaking my head at this shocking simplification. This is chocolate, not a mathematical formula. Double the quantity means incalculably, infinitely, immeasurably more scrumptiousness, more lusciousness, more oomphness, more funnnn! Yayyy, you say, your taste buds enlightened. Me, I'm silent - hard to speak with a mouthful of muffin! Soaked in chocolatey goodness, this Double Chocolate Banana Muffin is the epitome of indulgence. Just a single bite into the moist, succulent cake texture gratifies the senses with a rush of bitter-sweet, ambrosial chocolate flavors and the fruity-sweet twist of the banana. And it is a delectable sight to behold too - with the little chocolate chips stuck on the muffin top like dark stars on an inky-black night!

It all started when the banana on my kitchen counter stared at me with its yellow, angry eyes. Why don't you like me - I am shrivelling here for days, it implored. I don't know, I stuttered. Maybe because you aren't covered in chocolate or as moist & decadent as a cake or muffin, I ventured helpfully. Sadly, my lame reply just made the banana curl up in anger even more. Well, no reason you can't eat me with a cake or chocolate, retorted the banana. Of course, I slapped my forehead (a little too hard, ouch!) as I rushed to the infinite wisdom of the internet. Unfold your "banana chocolate muffin" secrets, o great one, I begged Google & was rewarded with 7,580,000 results before I could say "please". So I adapted this recipe from Tasteofhome, but created a healthier version by replacing oil with apple sauce & reducing the sugar to a half-cup. I was right! It turned out to be the perfect level of decadence & sweetness (feel free to use 3/4 cup if you prefer more sugar). Taking a large bite of this Double Chocolate Banana Muffin, I turned my eyes skywards & thanked the powers above for this manna from heaven. A deep, serene, silent voice boomed in my head - Don't mention it, it was muffin'!

DOUBLE  CHOCOLATE  BANANA  MUFFINS  RECIPE

Makes : 11-12 Muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (Maida)

1/2 cup Sugar; see tips

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp Dutch-process Cocoa Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

1 1/3 cup mashed ripe Bananas

1/3 cup Unsweetened Applesauce; see tips

1 Egg

1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

1 cup Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips + 2 tbsp for sprinkling on top of the muffins

How to make Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it with cooking spray & set aside. 
2. In a large bowl, sift the first 6 ingredients together & stir to mix. 
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, applesauce, vanilla extract & mashed bananas until very well combined. 
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry until just moistened. Fold in 1 cup chocolate chips. 
5. Divide the batter between prepared muffin cups & sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon chocolate chips on each muffin. 
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the muffin. 
7. Cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin then remove to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.

TIPS

I used Applesauce as a healthier substitute for vegetable oil. If you wish, you may use 1/3 cup vegetable oil instead of Applesauce.

We do not prefer overly sweet Muffins so 1/2 cup sugar was perfect in terms of sweetness for us but if you prefer more sweetness then increase the sugar to 3/4 cup.