Light Banana Chunk Muffins

Banana chunk muffins are the latest addition to my expanding collection of light baking recipes.  I'm exploring another new to me cook book, Light and Easy Baking by Beatrice Ojakangas.  Her light baking cook book is filled with simple easy to follow recipes for all the things I like to bake including a chapter on how to reduce fat and calories in your favorite baking recipes.  I like to bake for my 'Littles' and they love anything I bake using bananas.  Usually that would be something baked with mashed up bananas,  like banana bread but this week I tried something a little different with these muffins filled with chunks of not too ripe bananas.  This is a simple 'from mixing bowl to cooling rack in under 30 minutes' recipe that the kids loved which makes it a winner in my book!  This recipe is also a good way to use of dried fruits or nuts stashed in your pantry and for sure the bananas on your kitchen counter.

Ingredients and Directions for Light Banana Chunk Muffins
Adapted from Light and Easy Baking by Beatrice Ojakangas

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup spelt flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 medium not overly ripe bananas, sliced
1/2 cup chopped dried apples
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 large egg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup low fat milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Coat a 12 cup standard muffin pan with baking spray or line with paper baking cups.  In a large bowl, stir together the flours, baking powder, sugar and salt.  Stir in the bananas, apples, cranberries and walnuts.  Mix lightly to coat the fruit mixture.  In a small bowl stir together the melted butter, egg, milk and vanilla.
Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until evenly moistened.  Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan, dividing the batter equally between the muffin cups.  Bake for 18-20 minutes or until wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few light crumbs.