With summer right around the corner, my mind slowly drifts into daydreaming about vacationing on a tropical island like Tahiti with a coconut smoothie in my hand. But considering that I’m going to have to start paying back $150,000 worth of student loans in about six months, I don’t think I’ll be able to have that kind of vacation anytime soon. But a girl can still dream, right?

Until that vacation happens, I have these muffins to keep me company. It has a banana muffin base with orange zest and shredded coconut, giving you a nice well-balanced tropical muffin filled with fun, fresh flavors. It’s a tropical paradise right in your kitchen.

Banana Orange Coconut Muffins (adapted from Epicurious):

Yields 9 muffins

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes, plus more for topping

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside. (If you don’t want to use paper liners, you could coat a muffin pan with cooking spray instead.)

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, mash the bananas.

Add the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, orange zest, orange juice and coconut; beat until well combined.

Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a rubber spatula just until moist.

Scoop the batter evenly into the muffin tray. Sprinkle with coconut.

Muffin tin filled with banana orange coconut muffin batter, topped with shredded coconut and ready for baking.

I wanted to be more decorative so I topped some of the muffins with a banana chip. A slice of fresh banana also works well.

Place into oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Muffin Monday is an initiative by Baker Street. A culinary journey of sharing a wickedly delicious muffin recipe every week. Drop in a quick line to join her on her journey to make the world smile and beat glum Monday mornings week after week.

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