Sweet Treats: Banana Bread Chocolate Chip and Blackberry Muffins Recipe

I was going to make banana bread. My last loaf was amazing... except for the entire burnt two inch layer on the bottom in that we had to hack away the delicious bread to eat. Let's just say, I'm still learning how to use this decrepit oven of mine.

I thought I would try muffins this time due to the tragedy of my first and last bread experiment. I used a very basic recipe, then as I loaded up the tin for the second batch thought, "Hey, lets have fun with this and try a few things out".

*please excuse my not so beautiful looking pan, thanks*

So, for one row of muffins, I added raisins. Another row, semi-sweet chocolate chips. Another row, blackberries... and one little muffin I mixed in all three (that one coveted muffin was delicious, especially all warm and gooey and smothered in butter!) I'm glad I mixed in some flavor, b/c quite honestly the first batch of banana/walnut muffins were a little bland.

So, as you can see, I still managed to burn these babies a smidgen... even though I seriously cooked them for almost 10 mins less than the suggested time. Maybe I had it set on the wrong heat? Yeah, that must be it... I will be more careful next time, because there WILL be a next time. I used his banana bread recipe and added a few things:

♥ Banana Muffins with Mix-Ins ♥

1/2 c oil
2 eggs
1 c sugar
4 mashed bananas (mashed very, very smooth.... no lumps!)

~mix all together in a bowl, then add in:

2 c flour
1 TB baking soda
1 pinch salt
3/4 c chopped walnuts
cinnamon
dash pure vanilla extract
1 c of either~ raisins, chopped blackberries or semi sweet chocolate chips (c. chips+blackberries are awesome)

~ Grease/flour muffin tin or use cupcake liners. Bake at 350 degrees 25 mins or until toothpick inserted in  center of muffin comes out clean. Top with a bit of butter (I use Smart Balance, makes me feel healthier) and serve.

 *If you are in a major blackberry mood, then try my scones or these ideas*

OH! Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday
and  The Vintage Farmhouse

  

Sweet Treats: Blackberry Cake and la tartine Recipes

When we visited my Grandma Smith's home in Georgia as a child, she lived on a bit of land that was surrounded by gorgeous blackberries bushes. We picked them so she could make the best blackberry sweets for us, but we usually ate those huge plum pieces of heaven freshly picked.

I saw this Blackberry Cake Recipe on Living Locurto and I had to share. Blackberries are a staple around our home, so anytime I come across a recipe for them, I can't wait to make it. Visit Living Locurto's site as well for tons of free graphics, recipes and creative ideas.

spiced plum earrings by Jeweled Ambrosia

Black Berry Cake Ingredients

* 2 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
* 1 pinch of cinnamon
* 2 1/4 cups sugar (split)
* 1 cup softened butter
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 4 eggs at room temperature
* 3 cups self-rising flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 teaspoons lemon instant pudding mix
* 1 cup of milk

fine art prints by slg designs

Black Berry Cake Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and lightly flour three round 8-inch cake pans and set aside. (I use baking spray with flour.)
2. Mix 1/4 of sugar, a pinch of cinnamon and blackberries in a bowl and set aside.
3. Combine flour, pudding mix and salt in a small mixing bowl.
4. Beat butter or margarine with a mixer at medium speed until it’s whipped and fluffy.
5. Add the remaining sugar (2 cups) and vanilla, beat well.
6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
7. Add dry flour mixture and milk alternately, beating on low speed after each addition.
8. Place berries in cake pan.
9. Pour batter over the berries and lighting swirl with a spoon.
10. Lightly tap the cake pan on the counter until the batter has spread in the entire pan.
11. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
12. Cool for 10 minutes before removing cake from pans.
13. When cake is completely cool, stack layers and ice the cake with butter cream icing.

blackberyy sage soap by sioxane

Enjoy some blackberry cake! What is your favorite way to eat them? (follow links for yummy ideas) On ice cream, with cream and sugar, in a smoothie, salad, pork chops, jam or freshly picked? If you like yours baked, don't forget to check out the blackberry scone recipe I posted a while back :)

ruffled collar by fancy picnic

I couldn't pass up posting this blackberry sweet below!!

la tartine recipe here