Banana Bran Muffins are the answer to what may look like a banana that is past it's prime.

I have this "thing" with super ripe bananas. You know, the brown, speckled, mushy kind that are a few days past being edible by themselves. In my kitchen, it's a sad day when these types of bananas are thrown away. It's almost devastatingly sad, to be honest. I chide myself for all the yummy treats that could be made with said bananas if I had only planned ahead to use them before they were past the point of no return. I guess freezing bananas is an option; if you're good about remembering they are there before frostbite gets the best of them. That's not usually the case with me....

Last week I managed to use my {almost} rotten bananas. High fives all around! I made sure of this in a strict effort to clean out my fridge, freezer and pantry before April 30th - you see, April 30th marks the day Ryan and I will begin 3 consecutive weeks of travel, and I want a fresh start with my kitchen ingredients when we get back! So I made you muffins. Banana Bran Muffins, to be exact.

I really wanted to name this "Bananas Foster Bran Muffins," but then I thought that title would scare away all the health nuts. The flavor of these muffins strongly resembles bananas foster; thanks to a little banana-flavor-enhancing trick I learned from Cooking Light a few years ago. The "trick" involves sauteeing your semi-chunky ripe banana mash in a little mixture of melted butter and brown sugar before you add the banana to your batter. This, my friends, is a total game changer when it comes to banana batters {be it cakes, cupcakes, breads, or muffins). It enhances the sweet flavor of the bananas so much that you can reduce the sugar your recipe calls for by half to two-thirds - whoop!

The flavor of these muffins just gets better with time once they are baked - although it wouldn't be difficult to eat them all the day they are fresh from the oven. They are a divine, fiber-filled way to start your day or great for pairing with your afternoon coffee or tea. Please plan to make a double batch and freeze half for later - or share with a friend - you'll be glad you did!

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