Banana-Macadamia Nut Muffins

These tasty muffins, with a tropics-inspired combination of bananas, macadamia nuts, and just a hint of rum, make a great afternoon snack or even a tasty breakfast.  For the final touch, the crumbly topping adds just the right amount of sweetness.  Even better, if you are expecting company, you can whip up a batch of these in less than an hour.

 

 

 

Macadamias are very nutritious nuts, so you'll actually be eating a snack that's good for you! These  nuts have the highest amount of beneficial monounsaturated fats of any variety of nuts, and are thought to lower your risk of heart disease.  In addition to that, they are just plain yummy.  Enjoy!

1 1/2 cups + 2 TB  All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1 1/4 cups Mashed Ripe Bananas (about 3 large)
1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup firmly Packed Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, melted
1/4 cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
2 tsp Dark Rum
1 Large Egg
2 TB  Butter, melted
1 cup Unsalted Chopped Macadamia Nuts, divided
2 TB  Brown Sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 15 muffin cups or line with muffin papers.

Combine flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine bananas, both sugars, butter, milk, vanilla, rum and egg. Mix into dry ingredients.

Fold in a 1/2 cup of the chopped macadamia nuts until blended, then divide batter among prepared muffin cups.

For topping, combine 2 TB butter, 1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts with 2 TB brown sugar.  Stir and sprinkle onto tops of muffins.

Bake until muffins are golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer muffins to rack and cool.