Chocolate Banana Muffins (from Nigella's Kitchen)

As Dawn French used to say, they're not Terry's... they're MINE.  And so it goes with these muffins... they're not Nigella's... I have claimed them for my own, as they're actually very similar to the banana ones I've made in the past.

I made the first batch of these on Friday afternoon to settle my nerves before a night with Michael Buble (swoon...) and The Hubs scoffed 75% of them, so they're obviously delicious!

Chocolate Banana Muffins

3 very ripe Bananas, mashed
125ml Vegetable Oil
2 Eggs
100g Soft Light Brown Sugar
225g Plain Flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
3 tbsp Cocoa Powder
1 pinch of Salt

Preheat your oven to 200c/Gas Mark 6 and line your muffin tin with paper cases.

In a large bowl mix the mashed banana, vegetable oil, eggs & sugar.  You can do this by hand if you're feeling energetic or with an electric whisk if you're a lazy article like me.

Mix the dry ingredients together : flour, cocoa, salt & bicarbonate of soda.  Add them to the banana mixture & beat gently until well combined.  Now pour the mixture into the muffin cases - I use a soup ladle for this as it's the least messy option...

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the muffins are dark, nicely risen and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.  Remove to a wire cooling rack and try to resist polishing the whole lot off in one go!