Thursday, April 3, 2014

Banana espresso breakfast muffins (+ a giveaway)

Banana espresso breakfast muffins: a healthy, easy recipe reminiscent of banana bread but with a shot of espresso for a delicious morning pick-me-up.

banana espresso breakfast muffins

 You know what's better (and a wee bit healthier) than coffee for breakfast? Coffee in your breakfast. In the form of banana espresso breakfast muffins.

Yeah, I'd call that stealthy. Here's how they happened:

I was excited when Staples asked me if I'd like to try out the Verismo home brewer from Starbucks. One of the biggest pluses is that the brewer comes with a recipe booklet for making many of your favorite Starbucks drinks at home. I mean, how cool is it to just whip up a chai latte or an iced Americano or a caramel latte whenever you want?

It's very cool. And handy.

And easy to use: just pop a coffee pod into the sleek brewer and press a button. There are also milk pods (made of real milk, not "creamer" chemicals) for making the specialty drinks, so there's no separate heating or frothing necessary. And the used pods are collected in a little built-in container which makes clean-up a snap.

 


In addition to its ability to serve up coffee drinks lickety-split, the Verismo makes a great cooking tool as well. I have often come across a recipe that only called for a small amount of coffee, so I wouldn't bother to make it because it seemed wasteful to make a pot (or even a half pot) of coffee just for one recipe. That little problem is solved with the Verismo.

Case in point: this recipe for banana espresso breakfast muffins. This is what happens when you have a machine capable of making an espresso in less than a minute, coupled with a couple of past-their-prime bananas lurking around the kitchen.

This recipe has quickly become one of my favorites for breakfast: the muffins are reminiscent of banana bread but you can really taste that strong shot of espresso. And they are barely sweet, which makes them an ideal accompaniment to your morning coffee. Although I have been known to snack on them later in the day, as well.

And did I mention how easy they are to make? One bowl, no fuss: my favorite kind of recipe!

banana espresso breakfast muffins

Now today's your lucky day: I liked the Verismo so much that I'm giving one away -- in your choice of color: black, burgundy or champagne -- courtesy of Staples. For a chance to win, enter the giveaway using the widget located below the banana espresso breakfast muffin recipe (U.S. residents only, please).

Enjoy!

Banana Espresso Breakfast Muffins



Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (or substitute unsalted butter, melted)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 cup (1 shot) espresso, at room temperature
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour (I used white whole wheat)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher. Add the melted coconut oil, sugar, egg, vanilla and espresso and stir until well blended. Add the baking soda, salt and flour and mix until just combined. Spoon the batter into muffin tins and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into one muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
www.yankeekitchenninja.com
-- print recipe --


Giveaway details: The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Prize to be provided by Staples to randomly selected winner. Once notified, winner must respond within one week or new winner will be selected. Giveaway is open until midnight (eastern) on Sunday, April 6, 2014.

Disclaimer: While Staples furnished me with a Verismo brewer for review, I was in no way compensated for this post. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

52 comments:

  1. Oooh color choices... I think I would go for the Burgundy. Very classy, don't you think?

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  2. Well, then I will would love a black one!

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  3. Burgundy! :-) and the muffins look fab!

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  4. Hmmm...I think I would like black.

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  5. I am so excited about this recipe - I have very ripe bananas and was going to make my usual Bittman banana bread/muffins - but this sounds so fun especially with houseguests coming! And - I having been coveting the Verismo and I would love the black to match my Kitchen Aid!

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  6. I didn't know there were color choices! Burgundy would be awesome.

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  7. I would choose burgundy. I’ve a white kitchen and I love adding color wherever I can.
    Bri - bridiek23@aol.com

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  8. Needed a good muffin for a breakfast meeting tomorrow - thanks, Ninj!

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  9. These muffins look like the perfect breakfast! And I totally want that coffee machine!

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  10. Lately I can't seem to keep my bananas around long enough to become anything other than bananas. May have to acquire some extras.

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  11. I would choose the black.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  12. Oh my lanta! I have to make this recipe asap!!
    Rachel, http://sunkissedrayy.blogspot.com/

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  13. I am trying to enter but I am at Disney and the wifi is slow so the rafflecopter thing won't load :(

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  14. How fun are these muffins! I love using coffee in breakfast foods...of course, I say that as I am sitting here drinking my morning cup. :-) And I would totally go burgundy!

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  15. Kimberly HuncovskyApril 4, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    Oh my goodness my family (especially my 3 year old) loves when I make banana muffins,it will be nice to try something new!
    I think black would go great with my kitchen
    too:)

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  16. Would love the black one! These muffins look delicious!

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  17. I would like a champagne brewer!

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  18. my choice would have to be black....

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  19. burgundy sounds so luxurious!

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  20. Burgundy would look great in my kitchen! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  21. Loving this healthy recipe! I would love a black one!

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  22. I would probably choose black so it matched my kitchen. These muffins sound amazing!!! I love banana and coffee treats!

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  23. Black! These are my kind of muffins, yum!

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  24. I would have to pick black.

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  25. I think I would choose Burgundy.

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  26. I would love the brewer in Champagne!

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  27. Champagne! Can't go wrong with that.

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  28. I would like black if I win.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  29. I would love to have champagne.

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  30. I'm a classic black appliance type of guy, haha. These muffins look seriously great. You have me craving muffins big time right now... my stomach is going all grumbly crazy!

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  31. Love the black color thank you !

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  32. I think I'd like a black one!

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  33. I'd choose champagne, although the black would be a close second. (ツ)

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  34. I would love the black one! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  35. I love the champagne color. Muffins look so delish!

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  36. All colors are great any one is so good great giveaway

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  37. I like the black one and Burgundy...so you have to choose the color. I am not a big coffee drinker, but I am pretty sure I can make this work!

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