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!