Get nutty with these banana-chocolate muffins

Both healthy and delicious, these whole-grain muffins are exceptionally tender and moist, thanks to the canola oil and mashed banana.

• 125 g (1/2 c) walnuts or pecans, chopped
• 175 g (1/3 c) unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)
• 375 g (1 1/2 c) half all-purpose, half whole wheat flour; or whole wheat pastry flour
• 5 ml (1 tsp) baking soda
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt
• 1 large egg
• 125 g (1/2 c) granulated sugar
• 175 ml (3/4 c) buttermilk
• 175 ml (3/4 c) mashed banana (2 to 3 very ripe bananas)
• 75 ml (1/3 c) canola oil
• 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla extract
• 125 g (1/2 c) bittersweet (60% cacao) chocolate chips

Prep time: 25 minutes. Bake time: 20 to 25 minutes. Serves 12.

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Coat 12 standard-size muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Spread 50 grams (1/4 cup) walnuts in a small baking pan. Toast in the oven until fragrant, six to eight minutes. Let cool.
3. Sift the cocoa into a large bowl and add the flour, baking soda and salt. Whisk to blend.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, sugar, buttermilk, banana, oil and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and mix with a rubber spatula just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in the chocolate chips and toasted walnuts.
5. Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and sprinkle with the remaining 50 grams (1/4 cup) walnuts.
6. Bake until the muffins are lightly browned and the tops spring back when touched lightly, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a rack for five minutes. Loosen the edges of the muffins and turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

• Use "natural" cocoa such as Ghirardelli or Hershey's in this recipe.
• Dutch-process cocoa is treated with alkali. When mixed with another alkaline element like baking soda, the Dutch-process cocoa may develop a soapy taste.

Per muffin:

• 249 calories
• 5 g protein
• 31 g carbohydrates
• 3 g fibre
• 12 g total fat
• 2 g saturated fat
• 18 mg cholesterol
• 177 mg sodium

Treat yourself and your family to this winning combination of banana and chocolate. The cocoa and bittersweet chocolate chips contribute a delicious flavour, as well as antioxidant health benefits

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