Banana Pumpkin Muffins

Our Christmas vacation has started!!  We had the car packed, the dog in the back, the girls in their car seats, and we were off.  As we pulled out of the driveway I thought to myself many things….did I forget anything?…did we set the alarm?…did we grab the dog food?….did we throw out the garbage in the kitchen….and my very last thought was….are we crazy!!??  Then I knew it was too late to turn back we were off for the big adventure and off to colder weather!  The morning had already been filled with adventures as we rushed around the house packing those last minute things and making sure the car was all ready to go.  We also managed to squeeze in a little outdoor playtime for the girls in hopes it would tire them out!  I of course, couldn’t help but to squeeze in some time in the kitchen to make these muffins for our trip.  We had to have snacks right?!  I also had very ripe bananas that had to be used before we headed out the door.  We managed to get everything done and get out the door only 30 minutes behind schedule.  I was only hoping that the girls would take a nap once we were on the road!  When we are home the girls usually take a great afternoon nap of about 2 hours and if we are lucky 2 ½ hours!  Well, today in the car we barely got 1 hour in.  To entertain them, I popped open my laptop and placed their favorite Dora the Explorer DVD in to help pass time.  We made it to our half way point where we planned to stop and stay the night.  Everything was going really well up to this point.  We get to the hotel check in and start to unload everyone.  This is when Parker (our golden retriever) goes crazy.  I don’t know if it was excitement, anxiousness, nerves or what!  Once we get to our room, the girls turn into two little energizer bunnies!  You name it they are into.  The next three hours were quite interesting to say the least.   I won’t go into the details because it was so crazy I care not to remember every detail of it.  Needless to say I’m happy to say our first night of our Christmas vacation has come to an end and we are half way through to our final destination.  I’m only hoping tomorrow’s road trip goes ok.  I know one thing… I will be happy to get there and get settled in.

Banana Pumpkin Muffins

Print Recipe

1 ¼ cups white whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp salt

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

¼ canola oil

1 ½ cups sugar

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ tsp baking soda

½ cup buttermilk

1 ½ cups ripe banana, mashed

½ cup pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a mini muffin tin or two regular muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together both flours, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix together the sugar, applesauce and oil on low speed until incorporated.  Mix in eggs and vanilla.

In a small bowl, mix the buttermilk and baking soda together and let sit for a minute. 

Add 1/3 of the dry ingredient into the mixing bowl, on low speed.  You will be beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.  Add half of the buttermilk mixture followed by another 1/3 of dry.  Finish with mixing in the remaining buttermilk mixture and the remaining dry ingredients.  Mix until incorporated.

Stir in mashed banana and pumpkin. Do not over mix.

Evenly distribute the batter into the muffin tins.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Update: We made it to Charleston!!  We are here and settled.  Sorry for the delay but I had to run and get a wireless card no service at in-laws!!