Banana Crumb Muffins Take Two

I'm the kind of person who needs to have something sweet with every meal I eat. Breakfast is usually cereal, so that doesn't need dessert, but lunch and dinner is always supplemented with at least a piece of chocolate. I can't help it. This is me, and I need sweets. I've tried to change it, but now I just accept it. We are who we are, right? And I'm a dessertaholic. Anyone else in this club? Allowing myself at least a small treat with every meal prevents me from eating a whole pan of brownies in one sitting, something that I used to do often before I started this treat-a-meal approach.

I like to make these muffins when I need a break from some of the richer desserts I make often (cookies, brownies, cakes, etc). These muffins are satisfying in many ways -- they are made with whole wheat pastry flour and studded with walnuts, which makes them filling and they are topped with a sweet and crunchy crumb, which truly makes them dessert and not breakfast. I usually add chocolate chips which definitely satisfies my chocolate cravings, but this time I added white chocolate and dried cranberries. Some people complain about white chocolate not being "real chocolate", and I say "sure" - that just means more for me!

Chocolate Chip Banana Crumb Muffins (adapted from allrecipes)
(Makes 12 muffins)

* 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 bananas, mashed
* 3/4 cup white sugar
* 1 egg, lightly beaten
* 1/6 cup canola oil
* 1/6 cup applesauce
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
* 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries


Crumb Topping

* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* pinch of ginger
* 1 tablespoon cold butter

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 12 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 3/4 cups all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg, oil, and applesauce. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. Crumb Topping: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.