Caramelized Plantain Muffins

A close relative of bananas,carbohydrate rich Plantains when extremely ripe, taste as amazing as bananas.I have to admit,the raw plantain curry that mom used to makes did not quite kindle the appetite,but the crunchy chips and crispy fries were whole another temptation.
But more than raw I cherish the ripe fruitier form of plantains.The plantains have a very long shelf life,while the raw is great for chips and curries,the medium ripe makes a great breakfast treat when lightly caramelized with little bit of sugar,better yet the completely ripe plantains are the best for making these energy boosting breakfast muffins.
I first found the brilliant idea of baking with plantain at Kerstin's Cake batter bowl ,her original recipe of Plantain cupcakes was part of Ultimate Recipe Showdown on Food Network.I can't call my adaptation here as cupcakes as the icing is missing ,so I thought a breakfast muffins would be more appropriate title.

Recipe : Caramelized Plantain Muffins adapted from Kerstin's recipe as seen in the Ultimate recipe showdown
Makes 8 muffins
Ingredients
For Caramelized Plantains:
2 tablespoons Organic butter or virgin pressed coconut oil, melted
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon(can also use a whole cinnamon stick,cloves and discard before mashing)
3 very ripe plantains (the peels should be entirely brown-black), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

For Muffins
1 3/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup brown sugar or 1/4 cup tablespoon Agave nectar or Honey
1/4 cup reduced fat milk
2 large Organic eggs
1/2 cup reduced fat buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups caramelized mashed plantains

Method
To make the caramelized plantains: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix the melted butter or coconut oil, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Put the sliced plantains in an 8-inch square baking dish and pour in the fat mixture. Toss the plantains until well coated with the mixture. Bake in the preheated oven until caramelized, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and mash the plantains with a fork. The yield should be about 2 cups mashed caramelized plantains.

Alternately ,one can also caramelize the plantains at medium heat on the stove top in large saute pan.Takes about the same time as baking.Let cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side.

To make the cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 cup muffin pan with parchment cups. with liners.

Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a sifter and sift into a large bowl.

In another large bowl add the oil and sugar or syrup and mix, with a hand whisk, until smooth. Beat in the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the mashed caramelized plantains until the batter is smooth. Slowly stir in the sifted flour mixture and mix until smooth.

Evenly spoon the batter into the lined muffins pan, filling the cups 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick in the center comes out clean and the tops are light golden brown, about 22 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes in the pan. Serve warm.


These are moist and lightly sweet,the hearty caramelized plantains heightens the flavor of the muffins for a perfectly palatable muffins.

The Health Nut Challenge 7 focuses on tropical fruits and vegetables.Please share yours for an exciting round up of Tropical Temptations.