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Let’s make muffins… and then eat them warm… with a hefty drizzle of chocolate!
I mean, of course. But you guys knew I would have to add some chocolate. I can’t help it, even if it is January and everything is supposed to be all green and stuff.
I say January needs some chocolate too. Balance is key, and hey, dark chocolate has all kinds of heath benefits too. Yeah!
I made these muffins because, well, it was a cold and snowy day and I was brainstorming about all the things I wanted to be baking. Thing is, I really wanted January to be all about health. I am not gonna lie, December was heavy on the sweets and I wouldn’t change that for the world, but I feel like January is all about light and fresh…but still cozy of course. January is cold, cold, cold and we all need some cozy baked goods to get us through such a brutal month.
We do, we do.
So I think what I am trying to say, is that I have a few healthy treats to share this month and I am starting things off extra cozy with some warm chocolate banana muffins that are FULL of all things HEALTHY!
And really, I am being serious when I say these are totally worthy of a healthy breakfast…or snack…or after dinner treat.
First things first, these are lightly flavored with some Earl Grey tea. Normally, I am not a tea person at all. I actually cannot even handle drinking tea, it makes me gag. No idea why, but it always has. I wish I liked tea, but I just don’t.
However, last year I tried baking with tea and was so excited to find out that I loved the subtle flavors that the tea added. I think maybe the thing I disliked about drinking tea was the warm water, not the flavor. I feel like if I used milk instead of water I might like tea better. Maybe that would be gross though, what do you think?
Anyway, tea infused muffins are so my thing.
Especially tea infused muffins with chia seeds, oats, a little vanilla and some chocolate. So cozy and perfect for a cold winter’s day. Which we have been having a lot of around here. Not complaining though, I love it.
Winter white is so my favorite… for now. Check back in a few week. I’ll probably be singing a different tune.
The muffins are super easy to make AND guess what? Not one ingredient in these muffins will stain my pretty new marble counters! Yes, I have already stained them and am stressing. Hoping the marble installer will have some ideas for me. I love the marble, it is so pretty, but guys wow. You were not kidding when you all told me it is delicate and would take a little work. I would love to hear how those of you who have marble counters clean them and possibly remove stains (vinegar)? Because if you have any brilliant tips – I NEED them.
Even though the marble is a bit of a pain, I am still happy with my decision. The marble just feels more “me” than the granite. I guess I really just need to learn how to be a much, much, MUCH cleaner cook.
Honestly, I am not sure that is possible.
But back to these vanilla chia and Earl Grey chocolate banana muffins.
I really love them best warm, right out of the oven! You can obviously eat them at room temperature as well, or do what I did with the few (very few) leftovers I had, just warm them back up in the microwave. These are the kind of muffins that can be eaten at any point in the day. Bake them fresh for breakfast, enjoy as an afternoon snack or cozy up to one by the fire with a cold glass of milk before bed. So perfect, so good.
Oh, and I know that photo of the drippy chocolate looks sin worthy, but you guys, I promise these have loads of healthful ingredients going on in them. I swear. Just look at the ingredients list (be sure to skip over that tiny amount of brown sugar).
Did you look?
See, told you. Healthiness.
Vanilla Chia and Earl Grey Chocolate Banana Muffins.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons Earl Grey tea bags or 2 loose leaf Earl Grey Tea
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 medium size ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 15-18 muffin tins with paper liners.
- In a small saucepan, bring the coconut milk to a gentle simmer. Add the tea bags (or loose leaf tea) and steep for about 10 minutes. Do not allow the milk to boil. Once the milk has steeped, stir in the coconut oil.
- While the milk is steeping, combine the oats, white whole wheat flour, brown sugar, chia seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger in a large mixing bowl.
- In a smaller mixing bowl, mash the bananas (and mash them well!). Whisk in the egg and vanilla. Take the steeped milk, squeeze the milk from the tea bags and then discard the tea bags. Now add the steeped milk to the banana mixture.
- Fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. If desired you can stir in a large handful of dark chocolate chips... I (of course) did!
- Divide the batter among 15-18 muffins cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool slightly and then drizzle with melted chocolate.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Now that’s a special little muffin right there!
Next level delicious right here. My stomach is growling beyond control!
and chocolate is ALWAYS a must!
Chocolate is always a must, yes!! Thanks so much!
Balance is definitely key! These muffins look delicious 🙂
Thank you!
These muffins are gorgeous, please send some my way! 🙂
Thanks Laura!
I’ve never considered putting tea in muffins but it sounds amazing. Pure brilliance! And, as always, I am in awe of your photography. I think I could just sit and stare at these all day. Love that they’re healthy too! Pinned!
Thank you so much, Tori!
Damn MUST try this one! Looks decadent yet super healthy and packed with whole foods!
Thank you so much, Sophia!
Your first sentence… all I want to do today
haha! yeah! Thanks!
These are gorgeous. I could go for 4 of them right now!! And I love your new site!!
Thank you so much, Dorothy! Happy New Year!
You totally killed it with these muffins! It’s snowing here and all I can think about is eating about 10 of these!
Oh a snowy day and these muffins is the perfect day!!
This is a brilliant recipe! I love the use of Earl Grey tea. Although I won’t drink it straight up, I think it does add something to these muffins. BTW, I see you don’t love tea, if you want to give it a try, you might like black tea with hot milk and a little hint of sugar.
Congrats on the counters. Marble is lovely, but I am sorry I have no great tips for you on keeping it stain-free. Happy New Year!
Thanks for the tips. Suzy!! 🙂
Happy New Year!
Awesome! This is precisely what I was wishing for when I suggested less complex recipes with less weird ingredients a few posts ago! I am just dying to make these!
Thank you so much, Danielle! I hope you love these!
your recipes are so original and divine, I adore your food photos and styling!
Thank you SO much! 🙂
I’ve printed out this recipe as I think this is perfect for me. I do need to go get the tea first.
I’m not sure why you couldn’t steep some tea in milk. I think that sounds a bit delicious actually. I will let you know if I try it.
Have you posted pics of the new kitchen and I missed them?
Yes, please let me know!
Thanks so much, Brenda! Hope you love these muffins! No pics yet, soon hopefully!
For all the healthy goodness in these, I can overlook and welcome with open arms that melted chocolate! And marble. Wish I had some insight for you besides they are gorgeous!
Yeah! Thank you so much!
Yes they look chocolaty enough for me to try and pretend they aren’t too healthy. Chia seeds and bananas are always a winner. Excuse me for being rude though, you have two lots of baking powder instead of one soda and one baking powder. Is it 2x powder and 3/4 soda?.
Thank you so much and the amounts of baking powder to soda are correct, but thanks for checking! I have been known to make mistakes!
Oh my gosh, SO SORRY! I just looked at the recipe to be sure and you where right! It is baking powder and soda. Thanks for helping me out!
I look at my bowl of oatmeal and at your picture of these yummy muffins–I want a muffin! They look SO good.
I hope enjoyed them–lol.
Haha! Thank you so much, Nancy! Hope your oatmeal was still delicious!