Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Banana Cupcakes with Macadamia Nut Struesel and Buttermilk-Banana Pancakes with Pomegranate Syrup

Here are some great ways to use up those overripe bananas. It seems to happen every so often, you buy too many bananas and there they are, looking at you, in their sad, black peel. I actually get excited whenever I see them turning brown because I know that means I can make something yummy soon.
We were taking dinner to someone and I needed a quick treat. I grabbed a cake mix and came up with these banana cupcakes with a delicious struesel.
I have also been on a pancake kick lately. These pancakes were delicious and easy. A great breakfast and the syrup topped them off perfectly! If you have those quicky ripening bananas, put them to good use!


Banana Cupcakes with Macadamia Nut Struesel by Mary Ann
1 box white cake mix
2 large ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
2 Tbls greek yogurt
struesel:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup madacamia nuts, chopped
1 Tbls cold butter, cut into 4 pieces
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, bananas, water, egg whites and greek yogurt. You can use an electric mixer or mix with a wooden spoon. Spoon cake mixture into cupcake liners (24).
In a small bowl, mix struesel ingredients with your fingers, until it comes together. Sprinkle struesel on top of the cupcakes and bake for 18-23 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes in the pan and remove to a wire rack.

Buttermilk-Banana Pancakes with Pomegranate Syrup from Cooking Light
Pancakes:1 cup all-purpose flour (about 4 1/2 ounces)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (1-ounce) package uncooked instant farina (such as Cream of Wheat)
1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 large)
Syrup:
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons pomegranate juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
To prepare pancakes, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 6 ingredients (through farina) in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and egg; add to flour mixture, stirring until smooth. Fold in banana.
Spoon 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto a hot nonstick griddle. Turn when tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked.
To prepare syrup, combine 1/2 cup juice and syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine 2 tablespoons juice and cornstarch in a bowl; add to pan. Cook 1 minute or until thickened; remove from heat. Serve with pancakes.
Up next- Weekly Lunchbox!

10 comments:

  1. i love your banana pancakes with pomegranate syrup... will definitely try this soon... thanks for sharing... :)

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  2. Perfect timing!! My Costco bananas are going bad...once again! Can't wait to try those pancakes with the syrup!! YUM!

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  3. We ALWAYS have overripe bananas in my house! You know how it is, you never want to be caught bananaless, so sometimes you buy more than you can eat before they go bad. What a perfect use for them. Pomegranate syrup -- that sounds perfect for the holidays? Is pomegranate juice hard to find?

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  4. Oh look at all this banana goodness. YUM YUM YUM! I would love one of those cupcakes!

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  5. Mikky- You should try it. We had the leftover syrup with breakfast today.

    Maria- I knew someone must have overripe bananas at the moment!

    Cathy- Pomegranate juice is easy to find in my small town, so I am guessing it must be pretty easy to find in most places. It is in the fruit/vegetable section that is refrigerated.

    Aggie- Thanks, the cupcakes were a hit!

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  6. I can't decide which one I like better.....

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  7. I've been in the banana mood too, it's such a warm fruit to cook with. That pomegranate syrup sounds amazing! So different but tasty, the color of that syrup is so pretty!

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  8. OMG, you do not know how many times I have overly riped bananas! I absolutely love these recipes. I will try them soon, especially the cupcakes :-)

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  9. That pomegranate syrup sounds amazing... I have a feeling we will have that for brunch on Sunday. I can't wait. Thanks, Mary Ann!

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  10. Mare-
    I love your new blog design! So professional. It looks so great! You'll have to teach me how to do this sometime!! Your food is making my mouth water as usual! I just have to decide which recipe to make!

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Thank you for taking the time to make a comment on my blog! I appreciate you checking out my creations and leaving your thoughts. I will try to get back to you, through comments here or by visiting your blog. Thanks again!
Mary Ann