Charlie and Banana Crunch Muffins

Remember my best running/popscicle sharing/cuddle buddy from over the summer?

CHARLIE……..

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My Mother-In-Law sent me some pictures of Charlie today and it made me really miss him.

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Yeah, I don’t even know what is going on below…..

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Update in trying to convince Billy that I need a dog: I am one step closer.  I am guessing next summer may be the time for the addition:)

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Other than being completely lazy and taking a rest day today we have been eating some good food……..

Salad with eggs, broccoli, carrots, cottage cheese and ranch with an apple and granola (pre-milk) on the side.

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I finally baked for the first time since July and made these banana crunch muffins (recipe from HERE).  Even the banana-hater Billy loved them.  I think you need to make them because they may be my new favorite.  I am all about texture and the crunch from the granola inside these muffins took them to a whole new level.

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (I used half wheat and half all-purpose)
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup melted butter, cooled
  • 2 bananas, mashed
  • 1 banana, chopped
  • 1 cup granola (I used Love Grown Sweet Cranberry Pecan)
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (didn’t use this because we didn’t have any so I just added more granola)
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup banana chips (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
  2. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the eggs, milk, vanilla, and butter. Fold in mashed bananas, chopped banana, granola, walnuts, and coconut. Scoop into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with banana chips.
  3. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

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Check out Barbona’s amazing Giveaway that she is doing to help raise money for her charity that she is running for in the New York Marathon! CLICK HERE!!!

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What is something that you are missing from this last summer?

-California, Charlie, In-Laws and the pool

What was the last thing that you baked?  What is something that you have been wanting to bake but haven’t had the time?

-I really want to make apple pie!  Any good recipes?

Favorite type of muffin?

-The above mentioned muffins, chocolate or poppyseed.

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59 comments

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I LOVE PUTTING GRANOLA IN MUFFINS!!! everything is better with a lil extra crunch for sure :). though I’d have to say my favorite type of muffins are anything pumpkin flavored! I have a HUGE “to-bake” list….my mom doesn’t like how fast I go through ingredients though so I have to pace myself haha. I think next up I’m going to try and make cider donuts like you get at apple orchards!

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My favorite type of muffin is definitely cinnamon streusel or a good homemade blueberry. Although pumpkin muffins are my current October food obsession or pumpkin bread or pumpkin ice cream (slow churned, you must try it!!), etc!

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Oh my gosh the first picture is out of control ADORABLE!! I love puppies you really need to get one!! I’m actually obsessed. What kind of dog do you want? I have like 700 recipes that I really want to bake I’m not sure which one I want to make first. Maybe pumpkin bars? My favorite muffin is probably blueberry but those look awesome I love banana flavor too!

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Yum! These seriously look and sound amazing! :)

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Woohoo can´t believe I actually got a comment from you on my blog :-)
Charlie grew so much!!! He looks like 4 months old in the first picture and then bam, he´s a grown up! You should really get a puppy yourself, they are the best friend a girl can have. And adding those banana awesomeness to my addiction list.
XX

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Those pictures of Charlie are ADORABLE! I hope you wear Billy down and he gets you a dog really soon. :) Just PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE adopt from a shelter or rescue instead of buying from a breeder.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I baked anything. I’m just not a baker! I’d rather cook a meal than bake a pie.

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That is what I want to do! Come cook for me:)

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I love a muffin full of stuff. Putting granola in them is genius.
I totally miss watermelon, strawberries, and eating outside from the summer. But I’m looking forward to hot chocolate in the winter.

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What is something that you are missing from this last summer?

– Flip flops. I want to wear flip flops again. Free the toes!

What was the last thing that you baked? What is something that you have been wanting to bake but haven’t had the time?

– I have this bread in the oven right now – http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/no-knead-harvest-bread-recipe. It’s going to be dinner w/ a salad and this soup – http://startcooking.com/blog/265/Pumpkin-Soup-without-the-Fuss

Favorite type of muffin?

– I have morning glory muffins in the freezer that I made that are really good. But if I was to have to choose a muffin, I think I’d go for raspberry.

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Can I come over for dinner tonight? That bread and soup is making me drool! What is a morning glory muffin?

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Both the bread and soup turned out very well (better than expected, actually). And if you’re ever around Boston, I’d love to have you + Billy for dinner.

Morning glory muffins are fun – they have a bunch of different things in them. The recipe I used has carrots, raisins, walnuts, wheat germ (although I didn’t include the wheat germ in mine because I didn’t have it). http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/morning-glory-muffins-i/detail.aspx . I made mine with cranberry apple butter which was yum!

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I LOVE blueberry muffins! My favorite! But every now and again a good corn muffin will hit the spot too!

I’m raising money for the same charity as the giveaway you linked too! I was so excited to see she was running for Team Hole in the Wall too! I’m actually spending the night putting my name on the front and the names of kids with cancer that I know and am running in honor of on the back! (I know it’s still 2 weeks away but I’m REALLY excited!)

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WOW, Michelle that is so awesome!! What an amazing charity and that is so neat that you are putting the names of the kids with cancer on the back of your shirt! We are going to meet for froyo right!?!

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I don’t think I’m going to be able too!! :( I’m staying on LI with my brother and he just let me know he planned a full day with family on Saturday. So it will be awesome but I don’t think I’ll be able to make it into the city!! I’m so sad!

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I was just saying i felt like eating banana nut muffins so maybe this recipe will be the start of my next baking adventure!
Such cute puppy pictures!!!

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MAKE IT!!! You will love them!

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Keep trying to convince Billy you need a dog!! He will cave in eventually!

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I’m missing all the barbecues that people had! I felt like we were either hosting a BBQ or going to one every weekend. I also miss the sun staying up so late! I love long days.
The last thing I baked was 2 ingredient pumpkin chocolate chip cookies – SO GOOD and so easy!
Favorite type of muffin would have to be pumpkin chocolate chip or some sort of apple streusal!

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I was in Paris and Barcelona this summer so I definately miss being there!

The last thing I made were cookies & cream cookies for my sorority last week. They were delicious! I have also been DYING to make pumpkin bread, but just haven’t found enough time yet!

Try making this apple pie, probably the best pie I have ever had! http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/09/15/dutch-apple-pie/

I looooove blueberry, banana nut, poppyseed, and (obviously) pumpkin muffins!

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Border Collies are so much fun! I have one, she is a ditz. She also lives with my dad and is a mountain dog. Her sister is also a dachshund and she thinks she is a Border Collie. Those pictures are too cute!

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Baked a wedding funfetti cake friday and today skeleton fudge brownies.
Favorite muffin is blueberry. I miss the light nights..daylight savings sooon!

Best apple pie I made was straight from last Fall’s foodnetwork mag!

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I keep telling the kids that when the youngest is potty trained, we will see about getting a dog. Charlie looks adorable!! I miss sitting (kiddie)pool side with the kiddos and spending every day from 8-11 outdoors. Last thing I baked was a chicken…no sweets for a while. I’ve been wanting to bake some bread again, but that’s soooo dangerous! Glad you had a nice relaxing day. :)

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I just baked yesterday. But it was kind of a cop-out recipe haha: funfetti cake mix, cool whip, and an egg to make cookies! My favorite types of muffins generally have some sort of chocolate in them :D

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Yum!! I make very similar muffins and I love the crunchy topping! I also love pumpkin muffins with cream cheese filling. Sooo good!

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You guys totally need a dog. They are the best things ever! Bungee agrees and she needs a virtual pen pal.

Last thing I baked was homemade peanut butter brownies. I totally ate too many, though, and now feel like I’m going to explode.

Favorite muffins: banana bread!

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I miss sleeping in and being able to workout on my own terms (longer and at my time). I also miss the pool too :( Last thing I baked was Salmon for dinner and grilled tons of grilled chicken breast. I need to bake more, but neither Craig and I are huge sweet fans so everything always gets thrown away.

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I miss long runs and my parents, who ditched me for New Mexico.

Last thing I baked… I honestly don’t remember. How sad is that? I think it was some biscuits. I love to bake, but hate the gathering of ingredients, cleaning up, and having all that food and no one to share it with.

And favorite muffin… poppyseed is really good! And blueberry, and chocolate… darnit, I want muffins now!

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Fave muffins are many…. Choc Chip, Apple, Corn, and then Blueberry!

What kind of dog do you want to get? Pancake recommends golden retrievers… but he’s biased. I took a picture of him in his Halloween costume tonight (he is going to be a PIG). He basically hates me… it’s fine.

PS, I’m e-mailing you back right now, my decision was made final! thanks for your advice as always :)

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Charlie is SO CUTE ! I haven’t baked in so long it’s absurd. My favorite type of muffin is probably a blueberry with crumbly topping, or a lemon poppyseed. Mmmm. I should find a good pumpkin muffin recipe…

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The sun!! haha. I am sad that its now dark at 7pm :(
Pumpkin Oatmeal cookies – which I baked this morning! I want to start on all my Christmas baking… November 1st :)
I love all muffins, but favorite would be banana chocolate chip or pumpkin.

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I baked Skinny Pumpkin cookies (found on this blog: http://nutritionfor.us/2011/09/eat-skinny-be-skinny-42-calorie-pumpkin-cookies/)last week and have been munching on them non-stop ever since! I made myself put them in the freezer today so I would stop eating 5 a day, haha.

I LOVE apple muffins. Panera has an apple crunch muffin that is to.die.for.

Have a great week!

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I just baked for the first time in forever too! I made zucchini muffins. Don’t laugh. They are “clean”. I wish I could eat like you and not be as big as a house!

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I miss having people want to come visit me. No one is interested now that it’s cold. hahaha.

I made gluten free pumpkin spice cake bites last weekend. YUM! I am in such a baking mood lately! I want to bake everything.

I love coffee cake like muffins. THey make some at work with a crumble and some kind of jam inside. AMAZING.

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Yesterday I made banana and walnut muffins! And I stewed apples and pears for my morning muesli!! :)

It was so yummy!!!

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I had a border collie awhile ago..best dog ever. He doesn’t look like any exception!

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Is that rancho Santa margarita lake?

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Yes!!!!! Love that place! Do you live near to that?

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I grew up in Mission Viejo but lived with my dad in ranch cielo neighborhood for a few years. I used to run around that lake, loved the smell in the evening! But now I live in Utah, few miles south of you :) marriage does that to you ;)

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HA….Will you ever get back to Cali? WE SHOULD GO FOR FROYO!!

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we try to go once a year, but with kids that doesn’t always happen. My dad lives in Newport Beach now, so it doesn’t feel like “going home” anymore. But still, I don’t complain ;)
I think we both belong to a group on facebook “Utah County Run for froyo……” and I want to come to a froyo meet up but it hasn’t worked out yet. But I will, I love finding woman who are passionate about running (and eating!!)
When you go down, if your interested, my dad has a club 33 membership and disneyland, let me know if you want a reservation ;)

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That is SO cool…I have always wanted to go to club 33!!! How about you let me know what time works for you and I am sure if it is after 4 it could work for everyone else!! Froyo+ talking about running= heaven!

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I LOVE THAT DOG. I am working on getting a second dog. Lol. That’s even harder… I am missing Minnesota and living near my big happy family! I don’t usually eat muffins, but my mom used to make these cool “surprise” muffins that had cheese in them. Those were awesome!

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Those muffins look awesome!! Last thing I baked were oatmeal pumpkin energy bars. I am obsessed with pumpkin all fall so I try to bake with it as much as possible :) I hope you are successful in convincing Billy about the dog- you definitely need one!

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Holy moly! Charlie’s so cute. Jon (yes, as in your BIL) and I were talking about him today. Oh and also about proper running technique. Super fun. :) Also we talked about how I’m still stalking your blog but haven’t really commented- so here I go…
Your blog is fabulous! I love reading about your life and how you live it. I love learning more about running in general because it’s so good for you and it motivates me to run. (I don’t consider myself a runner….yet!) So thanks Janae!! You’re fantastic.

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Er genius adding in the granola- anything that includes cereal is bound to be 10 times better! I bet using the cocoa flavored granola would be the icing on the cake! My favorite muffin is either apple & cinnamon, banana walnut or blueberry. Great Janae, I was totally enjoying my apple up until this post- now I am just badly craving a muffin !!

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what a fun idea for a twist on muffins! i last made pumpkin muffins that were sadly bland…i need to get on a remake STAT

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I baked a peach crisp yesterday!!

Charlie is getting SO big!!

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I don’t really miss anything from summer cause everything is still the same.
I baked Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip cookies on Friday. They are almost gone.
Favorite muffin – those MASSIVE apple crumb ones from Costco. But really, just about anything apple, pumpkin, etc.

The Kidless Kronicles

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Yes!!!! Get a dog! Any plans for the meet up yet? Keep me posted!

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Charlie is so adorable! I love dogs and hope you guys get a dog next year!!
I am already missing wearing tank tops and flip flops.
Last weekend I baked some pumpkin cookies that didn’t last very long in our house! ;) I haven’t made an apple pie yet this fall either, so good idea!
I love muffins and have lots of favorites, but maybe it’s a toss up between blueberry and pumpkin chocolate chip.
Thanks for your comment on my blog yesterday. :) xo

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Yuum! Those muffins look awesome!! Last week I actually made some banana muffins with a brown sugar/cinnamon streusel….they were pretty good too!

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oh man. i love charlie.

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ahhhh i love this dog! how adorable. and hilarious he is in the sink? maybe he is licking tooth paste residue out of there? that sounds weird but my dog loves toothpaste

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I really want a dog, too!!

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What an adorable doggie! What kind of dog is he? SO cute!
xoxo from Trinidad

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I am missing my pool! (It’s not fun when it’s cold out and it’s closed.)
Ha! I prob baked some cookies from the tube. I am lost in the kitchen.
Picking my fav muffin would be like picking between my kids. I love them all!

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I love Charlie and I love muffins of all kinds…but with the small calorie difference i’d rather eat a cupcake!

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I really just miss the nice weather from summer, the sunshine. Also I miss the garage sales :) Love me a good garage sale. The last thing I baked were some peanut butter chocolate chip pretzel cookies. They are the best cookie ever!!! Now I’m excited to get home from work & have some :) Annnnd my favorite kind of muffin is probably bran (warmed up!) or poppyseed.

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I love puppies, and the pictures of Charlie are so adorable. These really made my horrible day amazing!!!

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