Banana Mixed Berries Muffin

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm currently in this berry mood. It's summer, and for me when it comes to food I think nothing represents summer better than berries. Sweet, a little sour and refreshing. Mix them with lemonade, and you'll get the best summer punch.

I made these Banana Mixed Berries Muffins yesterday. Had day off from work and I already miss the muffin from Cafe Cornucopia near my work place. I mentioned this cafe on my earlier post. We go there pretty much everyday when we are at work to enjoy our morning tea with a cup of skinny latte and their wonderful scones and muffins. They are all homemade which is what makes them taste so good I believe. It's a very cosy cafe, with a homey familiar ambience. The owners are very friendly and they have been well notified by yours truly that I love and miss the muffins when they were not open for Christmas. =)....They deserve a holiday though, it's a busy small cafe but very good business especially during lunchtime. I highly recommend those going to Ballarat to visit this small little cafe. It's located on Mair Street just opposite Ballarat Base Hospital. Must try their scones and muffins, you won't be disappointed.

Back to this recipe. I love muffin. It's not hard to make and you can create any flavours you like. My favourite muffin from Cafe Cornucopia is their Banana Mixed Berries Muffin hence the reason why I made these. The result was satisfying. The muffins came out perfectly moist and had that crunchy tops. The top didn't stay crunchy when I kept them overnight, however, it stays moist. Anyone has tips on how to make your muffins stay crunchy ? =)......Please leave a comment if you do.

Banana Mixed Berries Muffin

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 2 tsp baking powder
  
• 8 tbsp unsalted butter (120 g), soften and cubed
• 1 cup sugar , plus extra to sprinkle on top of muffins
  
• 2 large eggs
  
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 cups mixed frozen berries
• 1 large ripened banana, mashed

Methods:

1. Heat oven to 190 degree celsius. Grease muffin cups and cut 12 15 x 15cm sized baking paper to line the muffin cups.
   
2. Shift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
3. Cream the butter and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl, until light. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Add in milk into the egg mixture then add in the mashed banana
   
5. Add all the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The key is not to overmix or the muffins will come out hard. So just mix lightly, I used two spatulas and lift the dough from bottom up. It's okay to have lump in there. The batter doesn't have to be smooth.

6. Add in the frozen berries and again, mix lightly

All the lumpy goodness ready to fill the muffin cups

7. Fill the muffin cups with batter. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of sugar over the tops of
muffins.


8. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Fresh from oven, moist inside and crunchy on top. Mmmm...yumm..

9. Cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pan.

I can't help but have one immediately. Satisfied from my craving. Happy Leny!