Toddler muffins
In the upcoming March issue of Parenting Magazine, I have a piece on how to keep toddlers occupied. (Yes, I actually wrote it two years ago, so nobody quoted in the piece actually has toddlers anymore, but that’s the big magazine story bank for you). My friend Christina Bess is one of those moms who can do it all effortlessly, so naturally I tapped her for ideas. Her first: Toddler muffins.
Parenting.com will be running the recipe as some sort of content tie-in when the issue comes out, but you get to read the recipe here first.
In the blessed cooking-with-kids tradition, there’s nothing difficult or especially special about this recipe…unless you count the fact that it’s SO easy even a small child can make it…or help you make it. Moms understand this is worth its weight in gold.
First step: Turn on the kitchen iPod. Happy, dance-y music is best.
Christina’s Banana Chip Muffins
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chocolate chips
2 ripe bananas, mashed
Heat oven to 400; grease or line 2 muffin tins.
Combine dry ingredients, then, if you’re brave, let toddler add wet ingredients. Help the tot combine the both, keeping as much in the bowl as possible. Stir until blended.
Add the chips and the smashed bananas. Stir again.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Christina reports that these make excellent “mini” muffins, too. Bake for 10-15 if you’re making these.
Dance around wildly until muffins are done.
Let cool and pour the milk. Instant mommy/toddler bliss.
Try it and let me know what you all think! If nobody snags the last two bananas out of the fruit bowl, they might be mushy enough to use by this weekend. My banana bread version didn’t turn out too bad.
