blueberry muffins and banana boy bait

It seems all I've been doing lately is laundry and baking.  I almost feel too domestic for my own good (not that I'm good at either of these things).  Oh, and I drive a volvo station wagon just to round out the picture. Next thing you know, I'll own a golden retriever.  Just kidding, but really only because I'm allergic.

Anyway, I have a couple more recipes I'd like to share with you.  The first is for some delicious blueberry muffins.

Stonewall Kitchen's Blueberry-Buttermilk Muffins

Vegetable oil spray for pans

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbs baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup plus 2 tsp unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp grated lemon zest

2 cups fresh blueberries or 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375.  Place rack in middle of oven.

Spray 18 muffin tins with vegetable oil spray. 

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

Beat 1 stick of butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each and scraping down the sides of the bowl.  Mix in the vanilla.

Add half of the dry ingredients and mix to combine.  Add the buttermilk and mix until smooth.  Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix until blended.  Fold in lemon zest and blueberries.  

Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full and bake for 17 minutes. 

While muffins are baking, mix the remaining 2 tsp of butter and brown sugar until crumbly.  After the muffins have been in the oven for 17 minutes, take them out and put a scant teaspoon of the brown sugar/butter mixture on each one.  Put muffins back into the oven for about 3 more minutes, or until a toothpick will come out clean. 

The second recipe is actually called Banana Brunch Bars, but we have monikered it Banana Boy Bait as it was very reminiscent of Blueberry Boy Bait, and Dan says just as good.  So, I guess if you're trying to nab a boy who doesn't like blueberries, this might be the way to go.  The recipe comes from a cookbook that I bought in Hannibal, Missouri while driving across the country with my mom.  The cookbook is made by the high school students who have traveled all over the world with EF (the company I used to work for in Boston) and is sold as a fundraiser for their trips.  It includes recipes both from abroad and Missouri (think Devonshire Cream and green bean casserole).

Banana Boy Bait

For the Bars:

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup shortening

1/3 cup milk

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 very ripe banana

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped nuts

For the topping:

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup butter

Combine all of the ingredients for the bars.  Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.  Spread into a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Topping: mix all ingredients until crumbly.  Sprinkle over cake.  

Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.