Whole Wheat Banana Strawberry Crumb Muffins (With No Sugar!)

I don't remember the last time that I made muffins "from a box." And I'm afraid if I tried muffins from a box, I wouldn't like them. They may be extra sweet...but I'm afraid they wouldn't taste real. Or good even. Since I gave up processed sugar and white flours this month, I've had to get creative with baking. I did get some wheat berries and sucanat to help make some sweeter treats that didn't have white flour or sugar involved. And I thought adding a crumb topping would be helpful since sucanat isn't quite as sweet as sugar. The sweet crumb topping was a perfect addition to these muffins. These were phenomenal. I did not think the kids would like them because they were made with all whole wheat flour (I've generally made muffins with half white and half wheat flour). I though the density and thickness of the muffins from being made with all whole wheat would be a turn off. Well, let me tell you...there were none left to freeze! Between breakfast, afternoon snack and being requested again that night for dessert, these guys didn't even have a chance to get into the freezer.

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 3  ripe bananas, mashed
• 3⁄4 cup  sucanat
• 1  egg
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil or 2  tablespoons canola oil
• 1⁄4 cup applesauce
• 1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup  mashed strawberry

• TOPPING

• 2  tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 cup  sucanat
• 1  tablespoon butter or 1  tablespoon margarine
• 1  teaspoon butter or 1  teaspoon margarine

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 12 muffin tins or line with paper cups.
2. In a large stand mixer or mixing bowl, beat together the bananas, sucanat, egg, oil and applesauce. Beat in the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently fold in 1 cup of mashed strawberries.
3. In a small mixing bowl, add the whole wheat flour, cinnamon and sucanat for the topping. Cut in butter with fork or pastry blender.
4. Pour the batter into the greased muffin tin and then divide the topping evenly.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until toothpick come out clean.
6. Let cool slightly before serving.
7. Serve warm with butter.
8. Makes 12 muffins.