Baking Banana Muffins

September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 | kristencastillo

Always in search of what to bake with ripe bananas, I made the New York Times banana muffin recipe.

This 5-star recipe was moist and yummy. It wasn’t too sweet which was good because my kids like banana muffins for breakfast. I swapped the sour cream for Greek yogurt. Next time, I’ll add chocolate chips or nuts.

Shout out to Bakers Signature for sending me their tulip cupcake liners. The liners, which are pretty and easy to peel back, elevate from the muffins from everyday kitchen to treat from a corner bakery.

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I often make banana bread when I have ripe bananas. But these muffins were a tasty treat. What’s your favorite recipe for ripe bananas?

A monster of a good time

September 30, 2022October 13, 2022 | kristencastillo

This Halloween, we made a dessert that’s all treats, no tricks!

My kids and I had fun making Monster Chocolate Pops from tinyB Chocolate. The San Francisco based company gifted me the family friendly kit.

We made the chocolate pops at home in our kitchen using everything that was included in the kits: white and dark chocolate for the outside of the pops, two types of brigadeiro (Brazilian truffle filling) one in dark chocolate and the other pumpkin spice; popsicle sticks; and fun toppings including bright sprinkles, googly eyes and mini marshmallows.

We heated and tempered the chocolate before filling the popsicle mold shell, which is included in the kit. The kids decided to make two vanilla, one chocolate, and one marble pop.

We decorated them with the toppings and placed the pops in the freezer for 30 minutes to set. Then they were ready to eat.

This was a fun and tasty activity for the kids and it wasn’t very messy. A win-win! Order the pops by October 26 so you can make them for Halloween.

Chocolate + Caramels = Yes, Please!

May 9, 2018May 9, 2018 | kristencastillo

Chocolates are my favorite treat. They’re a great dessert, especially for parties and events, like weddings.

Recently Fran’s Chocolates sent me their famous salted caramels. These Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels are available in dark and milk chocolate, paired with soft buttery caramel and topped with gray and smoked sea salts.

The caramels look pretty and taste delicious!