Happy Snowy Sunday?

So...it's March 1st, and March is roaring in like a lion...or at least padding in on silent giant snowy feet?  *sigh*

After watching Big Hero 6 today (this is 2 days in a row now - we are LOVING Baymax!!!), it is muffin time.

OT - I love Disney. I love all things Disney.  If I could be one place right now with my family, it would be Disney World.  I love Disney.  Therefore, I love Baymax in all his giant lovable squishy robot-y self. Anyone have a Frozen flashback when Baymax's glove demolishes Hans?  Love that part.

Back to muffins...

I always buy bananas each week.  At least 8 of them.  4 or 5 for the kiddies to muddle through during the week, and 3 or 4 for muffin magic on the weekend.  The muffins get my husband through the day at work; he needs a snack mid-morning, and the muffins give him a nice, healthy boost until lunch.

Start with 1 stick of salted or unsalted butter (I use salted most of the time) and 1 8oz block of your fav brand of cream cheese (I use Philly - not the reduced fat stuff - the REAL stuff!).  Blend, blend, blend, using your paddle on your mixer.

Butter, cream cheese & paddle

Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar.  I prefer to use light brown sugar because it matches nicely with the bananas (reminds me of a banana cream pie in a way).  Cream away with your mixer.

Add 3-4 nicely ripened bananas.  It is ok if the bananas skins are brown!  The browner, the better.  Blend.  Add 2 eggs, 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp of baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp of baking soda (I use ARM & HAMMER­® Baking Soda).  Blendy, blend, blend.

Creamed sugar...ooooohhhh

3 bananananannas

Add 2 1/2 cups flour and blend again.  If your mix looks too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk.  It should have the consistency of a thick pudding. (mmmm....pudding!!!!).  Now, here's where I get creative with mine, and it all depends on my mood.  Sometimes I add cinnamon.  Sometimes I add nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and it tastes like banana pie.  (YUM).  Sometimes I add nuts.  I do a little of this, and a little of that.  I have been known to add Craisins, raisins, white chocolate chunks, dark chocolate chunks...sometimes all at once.  It really totally depends on my mood.

Whipped banana muffin batter!

Today, I just added about a tsp of nutmeg.  Then, the fun part - WHIP IT!  I turn my mixer on super high and whip the batter for about 30 seconds.  It aerates the dough, and makes the muffins super fluffy.  YUM.

Aren't these just the cutest?  Snowmen and mittens.  The kids LOVE THEM! (Yeah, I know the pic is upside down.)

Spray your muffin tins with your spray of choice, and heat your oven up to 350 or 325 if using a convection oven like me.  Put the dough in the tins, pop the tins in the oven, chill while baking, and after about 20 minutes or so, you should have golden muffins waiting for you (peek on them first!).

Take them out, let them cool, and pass those babies around with butter or honey!  YUMMY!!!!  Just look at that final product.  Snack time, right?  I

Getting ready to bake!

So warm, so fluffy!  So ready for school and work!

think so. (Don't forget to thank the Lord for the food!).  See you in a few hours for dinner!