Friday 14 December 2012

Banana Chocolate Chips and Mixed Berries Muffins



I was inspired to bake these muffins when I came across Sunsweet's Berry Blend at Tesco. I have a weakness for anything berries and cherries. They are so attractive.




Too bad these fruits are very expensive here. And these dried ones don't  come any cheaper at RM19.99 for a 142gram packet.




The muffins I baked have been adapted from Joy of Baking's Banana Muffins and Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe. That was where I first learnt to bake and I find it useful that there is a video demonstration for most of the recipes. And I like Stephanie Jaworski as she is pleasant and her instructions are clear and easy to follow especially for beginners like me.


Batter before baking. I like to sprinkle extras on top.

What I like about muffins is that you only need two mixing bowls, one for the wet and the other for the dry ingredients.   And there is no need for creaming of butter and sugar unlike cupcakes. And they don't need to be frosted, perfect for lazy me :) I tend to like mixing the sugar into the wet ingredient so that it dissolves and is more evenly distributed in the batter.


Just out of the oven.

Another thing I picked up is that using buttermilk produces fluffier muffins. So when I see a recipe that calls for milk, I substitute it with buttermilk, that is if I have it on hand. I get my buttermilk from Tesco but sometimes they are out of stock.




My favorite muffin is banana and chocolate chips because the combination of bananas and chocolate is simply delicious. And so I thought why not add some dried berries to jazz it up a bit. 




I liked the sweet and tangy taste the berries brought to the muffin and it complements the bananas and chocolate chips very well.










Banana Chocolate Chips and Mixed Berries Muffins
Recipe Source : Adapted from Joy of Baking
Makes 12 regular sized muffins.

Ingredients :
- 230grams self raising flour
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (and some extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup dried mixed berries (and some extra for topping)

- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup grapeseed oil (or any vegetable oil)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 medium sized bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method :
- Preheat oven to 180C (I use 160C)
- Line muffin pans with paper liners.
- In a mixing bowl add flour, chocolate chips and mixed berries. Stir to coat chocolate chips and mixed berries with flour (this will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the batter)
- In another mixing bowl add sugar, ground cinnamon, eggs, grapeseed oil, buttermilk, mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Stir to mix.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and lightly fold until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Scoop batter into lined muffin pans and top with extra chocolate chips and dried berries.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Note : Check at 20 minutes by inserting a toothpick into center of muffin. If it comes out clean it is done but if there is batter sticking to it, continue baking and check every 2 minutes to prevent over baking. My muffins were done after 22 minutes.




I stashed a few of the muffins in the freezer for later. Would be convenient when I get a snack attack. Just pop them from the freezer into the microwave and zap for 1 minute or more.


Very moist and tatsy.

68 comments:

  1. Hi Phong Hong
    I loves recipe from JoyofBaking and especially from Stephanie Jaworski. No wonder your muffins bakes turns out so beautiful and moist looking. I loves using buttermilk and it always turns out delicious. I have not come across this sunsweet berries blend and got to look for it the next vist to Tesco.

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    1. Mel, that was how I learnt how to bake! I go and watch Stephanie's videos a few times, then I try it out myself :) Buttermilk makes a difference and I do buy it when I want to bake muffins.

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  2. Wow, your muffins looks very good! Especially with the choc chips, looks so yummy and moist! It has been awhile since I last made any! I have not seen the mixed dried berries packs, maybe I always buy them in large individual packs from Bake With Yen! And the same buttermilk is selling at BWY about RM2 cheaper than Tesco! I bake quite frequently so must plan the budget! hahaha!
    Joy of Baking is a wonderful site, it has been sometime since I last visited her site! Yes, I totally agree, Stephanie sounds like a very nice and friendly lady and her recipes are wonderful.
    Have a great and delicious weekend, Phong Hong!
    p/s : have you been to the BBW sale? :)

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    1. Hi Joyce, many thanks! Ah, now I know where to get cheaper buttermilk. Funny I never noticed it when I went to BWY, maybe because I was always in a hurry and they are always crowded. I haven't been to the BBW sale although I would love to. I would probably love to spend the whole day there because I love books especially cookbooks heh..heh...

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  3. Hi Phong Hong, your muffins look really delicious and healthy, with all the dried berries. I often make my own buttermilk at home by mixing 1 cup (250ml) of milk with 1 tablespoon (15ml) of vinegar / lemon. Stir and let it sit aside for 15 minutes and stir just before using. Hope that will help! :)

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    1. Hi Jasline, thanks! Will try your recipe and I can save money on buttermilk :)

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  4. I also bake muffins when I can't be bothered to use the mixer! I love the flavours of your muffin, and I am a big fan of banana muffins as well. The berries mix looks delicious too.

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    1. Thanks, Mich! Hope you try this recipe :)

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  5. Hi Phong Hong, I prefer muffins recipes that only require mixing the ingredients. Much easier and less cleaning up. Delicious!!!!!!

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    1. Ya lah, Kimmy, no need to take out the mixer and do a lot of washing :)

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  6. Phong... I pun suka banana digabungkan dengan coklat.. memang sedap hasilnya..
    I tak pernah beli buttermilk.. sama mcm cara Jasline.. just gunakan susu yang dicampurkan cuka & perap sebentar. I gunakannya dlm resepi red velvet cake.. bagi muffin belum pernah cuba campur dengan buttermilk... nnt dicuba juga.. TQ Phong..

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    1. MaDiHaA, lain kali I pun nak cuba buat buttermilk sendiri. Lebih jimat, kan? Nanti kalau ada peluang you try lah buat muffin pakai buttermilk. Ada kelainan :)

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  7. Yumm! Let's trade? I would love to have one muffin for breakfast, lunch, tea and after dinner? hheehe.. what would you like from me? ;)

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    1. Ahhhh, Jo! Sure thing! I want that chocolate thingy with the booze...:)

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  8. Phong, the muffins look so soft and loved the use of mixed berries. Yeah even u use buttermilk most of the times

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    1. Vimitha, I love using buttermilk as it does make a difference. Next time I want to try homemade buttermilk to save some money :)

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  9. PH, your muffins look good! i definitely agree that bananas and chocolate is a winning combination - i always remember my first slice of banana and chocolate cake from secret recipe - that was my first introduction to the wonderful combo of bananas and choc. I've never used buttermilk before, but am certainly gonna try this soon!

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    1. Thanks, Esther! The other day I melted some chocolate (naughty a bit) to eat with strawberries and decided to slice up a banana too. Whoa! The banana dipped in chocolate was really good. Made my eyes pop! Yes, do try buttermilk when you bake muffins. They do make the muffins fluffier.

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  10. I always hesitate to buy buttermilk because can't finished for one bake and need to think other bakes to quickly use it up before they expired, so i subsitute with milk +lemon juices if a recipe requires to use buttermilk, hehehe..Love berries in any bake too, this sound so good!

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    1. Sonia, I have that problem too. So I make sure I plan properly but sometimes also tak jadi :) Must try make my own, better and save money.

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  11. Wah,must be very yummy!!!
    i love banana and chocolate muffin :P
    i can't wait to try~~~

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    1. Yes, it is yummy! yummy! Hope you try it because I know you will love it too :)

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  12. Phong Hong,
    My Shawn, love to make his own banana muffin too. He uses a whisk to make them. His recipe is quite simple just 1 egg, 1 banana, milk, brown sugar, sr flour n canola oil. After seeing yours I will ask him to add chocolate chops next time:)
    Your looks so yum yum with mixed berries!
    It is hard to get buttermilk here and if can it is quite expensive too. I also make my own buttermilk after I get to know that I can make my own...heehee
    mui..^^

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    1. Mui Mui, glad you like the muffins! I want to make my own buttermilk too :)

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  13. I love banana muffins, but your additions sure make them extra special! YUM, yum!

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    1. Thanks, Lizzy! They are indeed yum! yum!

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  14. Any left over for me to yum-yum I am still waiting .The moment you say yes I will straight fly to your house even crumbs also never mind .It looks so yummy

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    1. EE, you saw the muffins last Sunday at my house but you didn't eat. Now no more :)

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  15. i too love Joy Of Baking, their tried and tested recipes are keepers and easy to follow
    berries - dried or fresh, are always expensive
    so envy those living in Caucasian countries where berries are so cheap! i love all kinds of berries!
    your combination is just perfect!
    btw, in case you cant find buttermilk, you can replace it with 1 cup of milk + 1 tbsp of lemon juice :)

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    1. Alice, I always go to the supermarket and admire the fresh berries. One small box of blueberries cost RM16.99. Like eating gold! Yah, envy those people too :) Thanks for the buttermilk recipe. Will make it myself, save money!

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  16. perfectly baked without any cracks. i use buttermilk only for eggless bakes,never knew can be used for bakes with eggs too.Thanks for sharing this, will try out

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    1. Hi Swasthi, do try it out. You'll love the muffins!

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  17. This is my kind of breakfast muffin. Looks so moist and delicious. Thanks for sharing:)

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    1. Nancy, I knew you would love these muffins!

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  18. thanks for linking this nice one in to Food on Friday. There is now a great collection of muffin and cupcake ideas to check out! Cheers

    Ps I have just signed up to follow your blog. A follow back to Carole's Chatter would be wonderful – or have you already followed? Cheers

    Ps If you would like email reminders of future Food on Fridays, just pop by and comment and include your email - I won't publish it - and the reminder will be by bcc so it will remain private

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  19. Thank you for such a prompt follow. Cheers

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    1. You are welcome Carole! I was too excited the first time I visited and forgot to follow hah! hah! I've added you to my blog list :)

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  20. Oh YUMMY! I just woke up & what I see, your tasty banana & berry muffins! Looks so moist & berrylicious! Just came up with that word! LOL How I wish I can have half a dozen of these muffins just for me alone! I'm always hungry when I woke up! hehehehe I 'm like Sonia don't use buttermilk that often coz I don't know what to do with the rest of it. So I've replaced it with plain yogurt most of the time. It does give that moist & soft texture.

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    1. Hi Kit! Hah! Hah! Hah! Hungry when you wake up :) Hope you try these muffins. Perhaps I'll use yogurt next time, I hear that it gives a similar effect like buttermilk.

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  21. super yummy muffins....want to grab these all..hahaha... nice blog vth super delicious dessert recipes..
    BTW Iam back to blogging..plz visit my space n if gets sum time check out my new FB page dear.Thanks in advance..
    Maha

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    1. Maha, thank you for visiting! Will check out your FB page and looking forwards to your reading your blog :)

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  22. Buonissimi questi muffins! Grazie del tuo commento, io sono Azzurra Buion Natale

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  23. Yummy. first time your blog. Am following u .Hope u will follow me back.

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    1. Hi Beena! Thanks for coming by, will visit and follow you back :)

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  24. 1st time here.super yummy cup cakes....visit mine if gets sum time n check out my New FB page dear.
    Maha

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  25. I don't quite fancy muffins but after seeing your muffins they are so fluffy and soft I have changed my mind. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Veronica, I used to dislike muffins too because the ones I tried from the bakery were hard and on the dryish side. But once I made my own, I have changed my mind!

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  26. Yep muffins are easy but have to be careful not to overmix. I like the fact that they are easy to make too! Looks yummy!

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    1. Jeannie, it took me quite a lot of practice not to overmix :)

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  27. Hi Phong Hong, wah... your muffin look so delicious. Love the combination.... must be very flavorful so much ingredients. I love muffin and a good cup of hot coffee. :)

    Have a nice week ahead,regards.

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    1. Amelia, they were indeed delicious :) You are right, a good cup of hot coffee matches the muffins very well!

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  28. same with me! nor pun suka buat muffin dr cupcake sbb cara buat mcm PH kata tu, just mix wet dgn dry ingredients kan.. so easy :)

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    1. Nor, PH memang suka buat kueh yang jenis main campak-campak gitu. hee..hee..pemalas :)

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  29. hi phong hong, i like to bake muffins especially when i have that sudden urge to bake, to stop my itchy hands..cos they are quick and easy to make. Interesting to see that packet of dried berries. i wonder how is dried raspberry..Mmm..banana and chocolate ..we love that..!

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    1. Hi Lena, yah and they always turn out nice! Best part is that it keeps well frozen. Can keep a stock of muffins for emergencies.

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  30. Hi Phong Hong,

    Your muffins looks berr-licious! We loves home-baked muffins too especially the ones with chocolates and/or dried fruits. It is difficult to find dried cherries here and so I always baked mine with dried cranberries.

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! I tried with dried cranberries previously and I love it too :)

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  31. These muffins have all the ingredients I love. This looks great!!

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    1. Thanks, Cathleen! Glad you like them too :)

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  32. Such lovely muffins. I love how it risen up so high. Wow the dried fruits are really expensive back home. We can get the dried cherries for $7 something a pound here and that is considered expensive. Raisins and cranberries are the cheapest so I used it a lot in my baking.

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    1. Oh, yes it's like eating gold! I love fresh cherries and it's something like RM20.00 for a small packet. Sigh....

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