• MONICA'S BAKING BONANZA •

VEGAN BANANA MUFFINS

One morning I felt like baking. It was overcast and cool and my sweet tooth kicked in. As I walked into the kitchen I saw some overripe bananas sitting in my fruit basket.  

After perusing cookbooks and online recipes for inspiration I decided to make some vegan banana muffins. 

Am I a vegan?  No.  

So, why vegan?  The thing is, I really don't like using butter; especially loads and loads of butter. I know baking without butter might seem unfathomable to some, but for me, it's a challenge I gladly welcome.  

As I gathered the ingredients to make these muffins, I realized just how simple this recipe truly is...there were no eggshells to worry about and I didn't have to wait impatiently for the butter to soften (since I wasn't using any). Basically this is what you need: overripe bananas, flour, cinnamon and literally a few other ingredients that are commonly stocked in every pantry.  

VEGAN BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

After a quick jog the next morning, I was in need of a caffeine fix.  I stopped by my favorite local coffee spot, picked up my usual iced latte, then I was off to the Sunday market "Uptown." 

As I wandered around the different stands I came across the perfect summer berries.  I was in a baking sorta mood once again, so I made sure to get extra blueberries.  Time for some vegan blueberry muffins. 

In all honesty blueberry muffins have always been my  favorite. They remind me of being a kid, Saturday morning cartoons, and weekend breakfasts with my family. I love how food can conjure up such fond memories. After whipping up the recipe, rather quickly I might add, the muffins were ready to be served in no time at all. They were pretty darn tasty and full of blueberry goodness.  

VEGAN BROWN SUGAR COOKIES

A few days later I was invited to lunch at a friend's house. I decided to bake something to bring to the luncheon. The first thing that came to mind was a cookie, specifically  a snickerdoodle,  minus the dairy.

I cranked up the oven yet again.  Since this was a new recipe I crossed my fingers as I put the trayful of cookies to bake. A few minutes later the enticing sweet scent of cinnamon and sugar filled the kitchen.  

Immediately upon taking the cookies out of the oven, I had to try one (or two)!  They were crispy, perfectly golden brown and tasted like cinnamon and molasses. I am also happy to report that when I shared them at the luncheon, they were gone in an instant! I have a feeling this recipe will come in handy when the holidays roll around.

For the muffins: an Iced Latte

For the cookies: a cup of PG Tips tea

When I bake, it's usually all about the classics...

1)  Nat King Cole:  Quizas, Quizas, Quizas

2)  Marvin Gaye:  How Sweet It Is

3)  The Shirelles:  Mama Said

4)  Van Morrison:  Into the Mystic

5)  Solomon Burke:  Cry to Me

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