Cherry Banana Muffins

These are my own creation, full of flavor and healthier without the butter! As soon as you bite in you get a burst of cherry and banana and they are pretty moist, though firm. I hope you enjoy them! I made half with the coconut on top and half with the pecans and couldn't decide which was better. To get the mandarin orange juice I pureed a can of mandarin oranges (drained of syrup) and just drained them in a sieve. (my son gets the oranges for lunch)

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 12-14

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  mashed banana (about 2 large)
• 1  large egg
• 1⁄2 cup  mandarin  orange juice
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 3⁄4 cup dried cherries
•  coconut or  pecans, for topping

Directions

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in medium bowl.
2. Mix wet ingredients together in small bowl.
3. Mix mashed bananas into dry ingredients, then add the wet and combine. (do not overmix).
4. Stir in cherries.
5. Divide batter into lined muffin cups and sprinkle either coconut or pecans on top and lightly press into batter.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes.