Chocolate and Banana Muffins.

We all know that 'muffin' is just a healthier way of saying 'cake' and these are indeed moist, gooey cake like breakfast treats. However, they have fruit in them so they aren't all bad (!) and with a little day before organisation you can whip them up in the time it takes the kettle to boil... 

Yup, that's right, you are going to roll out of bed and bake these. Believe me, I'm not a 'morning person' but these are so effortless and tasty you will be feeling smug all day and will have happy, satisfied family, friends, house guests, or a trayful of goodies for yourself.

Chocolate and Banana Muffins.

1. The night before (or even a couple of days before) put the following ingredients into an airtight container - I use a Ziplock bag but you could use a plastic container with a lid or even put them into your mixing bowl and cover it with cling film.

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, just leave it out if you don't like it or don't have any)

1 cup sugar.

2. The next morning preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Whilst it's heating put paper cases into your muffin tray, this recipe will make 12 regular (1/3 cup) sized muffins.

3. Pour your dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and grab a silicon spatula, or a spoon to mix with.

4. Mash up 2 bananas with a fork, they should still be a little chunky, you don't need a smooth purée. You can use any bananas that aren't rock hard, ones that are a little too smushy to eat are the best.

5. Add the bananas to the dry ingredients along with

1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil or grape seed oil, whichever you have to hand)

1 extra large or 2 small eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla essence

4 oz of chocolate chips - I literally throw in a handful, you don't have to be precise, you can make them more chocolat chip rich or not add any at all. I usually use a good semi sweet chip but again use what you wish - white, dark, milk or a mix.

6. Stir all this together until just combined and spoon it into the paper cases.

7. Bake for 25 minutes, the tops should be golden brown and springy when lightly pressed.

8. Enjoy them with your morning tea or coffee or throughout the day.

There, wasn't that worth getting up for!