Sometimes when I’m rushing from meeting to meeting or prepping for a power presentation, I get the overwhelming urge to just … go home and bake muffins. Though my schedule may squelch it and my circumstances stifle it, my urge to nurture my home and loved ones cannot be ignored and put in the back corner of the closet. I believe God designed women to need to nurture, because others need nurturing.

When family members came for a visit last weekend, I had the wonderful excuse to get busy in the kitchen. I have an empty flour bin to show for it. My crock pot got into the action, along with a roasting pan, cake pans, and even a muffin pan!  These simple ABC Muffins were quick to make and even good for you (So we told ourselves). When I ran out of flour, my mom added an adjustment to the original recipe, and we all decided it’s a keeper. My sister saved the day (and breakfast) when we realized I almost left the “B” out of the recipe! (That’s a hazard of cooking while talking to moms and sisters.) ABC Muffins made a great addition to our Sunday morning, along with fruit and cereal. I hope you’ll love them and give them a home in your weekend plans to nurture yourself and those you love.

ABC Muffins Recipe

• 3 very ripe bananas (I have a few rotting cooperatively on my counter as we speak)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 c. flour
• 1/2 c. oatmeal (I used old fashioned, which means they’re not chopped)
• 1/4 c. butter (That’s 1/2 stick) melted
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. salt
• 1 cup of chopped apples
• 3/4 c. chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Mash the bananas with a fork until they’re smooth and creamy. Jeff likes it if there’s a lump or two or three. Stir in all of the other ingredients, adding the apples and chocolate last (so you can nibble on a few).

• Spray a muffin pan and fill each cup about 2/3 full.
• If you use regular sized muffin cups, you’ll make about 16 muffins and bake them about 18-20 minutes.
• If you use large muffin cups, you’ll make about 9-12 muffins and bake them about 20-22 minutes.

Be careful not to over bake these. Carefully remove them from the muffin tin to cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter. They make a wonderful coffee break treat or afternoon snack the next day (If you manage to hide a few from your loved ones!).

Today as this lands in your email inbox, I’m having meetings and watching power presentations. That’s a way I can care for my loved ones, too. But I’m looking forward to the weekend to nurture some of those I love … and it might just involve muffins.

Happy weekend!

Need a Superbowl Party recipe? Try Better Than Velveeta Super Bowl Party Dip to go with corn chips or veggies. Crescent Roll Chili Cups make an easy to serve & carry heavy appetizer, and Black Bean and Corn Salsa is just one of those things I can’t stop eating!

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