16.8.10

Banana & Butterscoth Muffin Tops


I have a twin brother and we are opposite in almost every way.

He’s tall, I’m short. He’s pale, I’m tanned. He doesn’t like whip cream, I could eat it for dinner. He rebelled growing up, I was perfect. He can say no to dessert, I can’t. He has no cavities, I…

Among our many differences (some possibly exaggerated) one is that he can quote TV shows and movie lines whereas I can hardly remember what movie I watched last week. Although I’m no Seinfeld addict and nor do I find it necessary to make reference to different episodes in all of life’s situations, I do remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine had a million dollar idea and suggests just selling the tops of muffins. Brilliant! Her advice for Lippman, her former boss, whose muffin business didn’t seem to be working was to “Pop the top, toss the stump;” so eloquent. If you’ve seen that episode you’ll know the rest of the hilarity that ensues.

I have always preferred the tops of muffins and have been known to leave the “stump” for my dear husband, much to his dismay. This past weekend I finally purchased a muffin top pan and could hardly wait to use it. After baking with it I’ve concluded that everyone must own one!

As you’ve probably noticed, these are not your average muffins. The thought occurred to me that these butterscotch, banana, streusel topped muffins would taste even better if I warmed it up and added vanilla ice-cream, caramel sauce, sliced bananas and pecans.

Consider this fair warning… these are sinfully delicious and as cellulite inducing as they sound. I may have purchased some Spanks. Also, I shamefully write this as this is the second batch I’ve made this week. My better half and I polished the first batch off in record time. Naturally, I had to bake them again for the sole purpose of taking pictures and blogging.

Buy a muffin top pan, bake these and add all the toppings!


Banana & Butterscotch Muffin Tops
Adapted from: Diana's Desserts

Ingredients

Topping
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Muffins
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon table salt
3-4 medium very, very ripe bananas
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup canola or corn oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 butterscotch chips

Directions

Position an oven rack on the middle shelf of oven. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease muffin top cups.

In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients until crumbly. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk until well blended. In a large bowl, combine the bananas, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer (stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or hand held mixer) on medium speed until well blended with only small bits of banana visible. Pour in the dry ingredients and gently stir with a rubber spatula just until blended. If using nuts, add them when the flour is almost blended and stir to incorporate.

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin top pan, dividing batter evenly. They will be almost full. Gently tap the pan on the counter top to settle the batter. Bake until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick or a cake tester inserted in the center of 1 muffin top comes out clean, about 10 minutes (I took mine out at 9). Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes, and then carefully remove the muffin tops from the pan and set them on the rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

50 comments:

  1. oh my god that looks HEAVENLY!!! i am so craving sweets now...thanks! lol

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  2. Oh my gosh - so mouth-watering! Another pan I simply MUST have. I like the muffin tops the best, too. (I also like pizza crust and the corner pieces of a pan brownies!)

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  3. This is going on my baking list! Thank you so so much!

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  4. this is just simply the most ridiculous post ever! I have never wanted to bite through the screen more.

    My anniversary is coming up and this is what I want.

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  5. cellulite inducing... hahah this is great. scared to read your blog now because i'll always want to bake :[


    <33 [v] hobovogue

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  6. Oh my goodness...this looks SO GOOD! I love muffin tops too (the food kind, not the tummy type) =) Good to know that those muffin top pans work out so well.

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  7. That is the cutest idea ever! I'd love to try this some time. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a muffin top pan. Genius!

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  8. I'm no Seinfeld buff either but the tops of muffins really are the best part. I had no idea they even sold muffin top bakeware, that's the best invention since the brownie edge pan! This recipe looks insanely decadent and I'll try to resist it AFTER the summer. Try being the operative word.

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  9. Oh for heaven's sake, I'm embarrassed to admit that I momentarily considered licking my screen. WOW... that looks absolutely fantastic!

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  10. yummy! This recipe could be dangerous :)

    <3,
    natasha @ twenty-something blog
    http://poshxoxo.blogspot.com

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  11. Wow, this looks incredible. It is fat free, right?!

    ;) M

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  12. i was just thinking about you this afternoon, coincidentally during pilates - no jokes - and wondering when you were going to hit me between the eyes with another one.

    i can do gluten free banana muffins like no other and i walked by the muffin top (no not my own the pan) just the other day.

    RED ALERT!! i smell dinner!!

    xoxo,
    carrie

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  13. Those look delicious. I love the flavor of butterscotch. If you like butterscotch I posted a recipe for butterscotch pie which you might like.
    http://sweetkatskitchen.blogspot.com/

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  14. Ohhhh gosh.....these look amazing....not I'm hungry! Thanks for sharing this!! :)

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  15. mmmm. this looks so delicious. my mouth is watering right now. hahahha.

    thank you so much for stopping by my blog. i'm now your newest follower:D

    Carrie
    http://www.readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/

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  16. Oh dear! These look too wonderful to be true! You are making me drool... a little! I had no idea there was actually such a thing as a muffin top pan. That is hilarious and maybe the best kitchen invention yet!

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  17. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Love your blog! Is it so sad that I had no idea that a muffin top pan existed until now? And now that I know I MUST have one.

    This recipe sounds delicious. Dangerous, but delicious!

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  18. What an amazing combination! I never would have considered it (I guess that's why you're here! ;). I remember that Seinfeld episode, yes, muffin tops are a fab idea!

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  19. Oooh I need one of these pans!! I have a feeling the banana/butterscotch combo is amazing and so much better as just a muffin top!! Genius!

    Sues

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  20. this looks so delish! I love anything butterscotch.

    Thanks for the comment and the well wishes! Be sure to follow for more otd's.

    http://schnellecouture.blogspot.com/

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  21. that pan is a great idea, I'm so with you about the muffin tops. these look amazing!!

    XOXO

    http://lovejennyxoxo.blogspot.com/

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  22. How fun and most certainly a red alert! I can just see the number on the scale going up, but I think I would still like to try one. =)

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  23. Love muffin tops!
    Delish post, darling!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  24. These look amazing! And I would totally buy just the muffin top! That's the best part. I'll usually turn my muffin upside down so I eat the stem first to save the best for last ; ) Cute post!

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  25. OMG yes -- love the muffin tops! This looks totally fantastic, yum.

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  26. SOLD! Although I think my husband would pass out if I bought "just one more thing for the kitchen" he might not notice a muffin top pan!

    That Seinfeld episode is classic - and then Newman comes in with all the gallons of milk and the woman from the homeless shelter was like "you think homeless will only eat the stumps?!"

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  27. I love the 2nd photo with the bite missing - that shot is making me crave this! Banana and butterscotch sound soooo good together!

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  28. oh my, this looks so gooooood! craving sweets right now, haha!

    great blog, sweetie!

    oxx from http://www.sweetfancytreat.com

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  29. This looks so scrumptious! I am going to whip these up tonight for a few friends stopping by for dinner. They will be so surprised. xo mish

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  30. This looks sinfully delicious!!!

    If only I could bake... u_u.

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  31. I almost just fainted! This is beyond delicious!!! And cute and funny story about you & your twin :)

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  32. Thanks for commenting on my blog!
    How can I not follow your blog??? There's nothing better than a food blog! I'm glad I found it x

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  33. Mary! Lovely to meet you and your gorgeous blog!
    I haven't had breakfast yet, and you have now made me hungry. Thank you for stopping over at Coffee Rings, I will certainly continue to be tempted on your delicious blog!

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  34. WOW girl this is Yummy with a capital Y! I love this! My stomach would smile with this!

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  35. Oh my goodness, what a delectable little treat! I cannot wait to try this one out! YUUUUM!!!
    Thanks,

    Kate

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  36. Ah, too delicious not to leave a comment.
    What an unusual banana-butterscotch-muffin!
    Please invite us all when next you make this toothsome-looking dish;-)

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  37. oh my word this looks absolutely to die for!!!

    xo

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  38. Oh my goodness! It's currently 10 AM here, and I am already thinking about how early is too early to eat this haha! So yummy looking! Great blog! :)
    (http://showersofsunflowers.blogspot.com)

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  39. Hi sweetie! Just wanted to let you know I recently tried your strawberry/nectarine cobbler and OH MINE(!!!!) it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe :) xo

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  40. Yum, these look so delicious! This reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld with Elaine and the mnuffin tops. You've inspired me to post more of my cooking adventures on my blog.

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  41. It is funny that you guys are the opposite;I have to try this new recipee, even though I don't like banana too much...any alternative to this ingrdient? What do you suggest?

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  42. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I've finally found time to get back to you :)

    You have a fantastic blog here so I've joined your followers, but I really wish I hadn't visited mid morning, I'm really hungry now with an hour to go till lunch time, this looks amazing! xxx

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  43. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leading me to yours - it's divine! I'm sure you're a woman after my own heart (I try to be good, but I just want to live on dessert).

    Muffin top pans - I never knew there was such a thing but i'm hunting them down!! I presume they're just really shallow and you only put a tiny bit of batter in each one? These looks all kinds of yummy!

    Miss B xx

    http://agirlastyle.com

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  44. oh my goodness! this recipe will be attempted this weekend! my husband will LOVE these! thanks for sharing xo

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  45. Muffin tops! I love the banana and caramel combo, especially with that scoop of ice cream!

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