Chocolate Banana Muffins

Instructions

1. If using coconut oil, melt it now and let it come to room temperature. (If using canola oil, skip this step.)
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a standard muffin pan with paper or silicone muffin cups, then lightly coat the cups with nonstick spray.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, add the mashed banana (if you are mashing the banana directly in the mixing bowl, double check that you have the correct amount), then whisk in the eggs, milk, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and oil. If the oil resolidifies, warm the bowl in the microwave in 10-second bursts, just until it melts.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it. With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir gently and patiently to combine. The batter will look dry at first but will begin to come together as you go. It will also be thick and shaggy, which is just right. Stop as soon as the dry ingredients disappear and don’t over mix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan; the cups will be quite full and the tops will dome when the bake. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips if desired.
7. Bake the muffins for 22 to 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin in the center of the pan comes out clean without any wet batter clinging to it. Test a few times to make sure the muffins are cooked through (and that what stuck to the toothpick was in fact batter and not a melted chocolate chip).
8. Remove the muffins from the oven and place them on a wire rack. Let cool in the pan for 3 minutes. Then, using a dull knife or fork to help you out, gently remove the muffins from the pan, allowing them to cool for about 15 minutes on a rack before peeling off the muffin papers. Enjoy!