I just really needed a muffin

it's been a minute, hasn't it? where oh where have i been? well, if you must know, i've been locked away at the library for thirteen hours (at least) a day since school ended. i get a small lunch break and a quick class at the gym stuffed in there somewhere too. my friend rachel and i have been cranking away studying for step 1 of our boards. definitely never thought i could study so hard. for so long. all day. everyday. forever.

okay so im being dramatic, but it really is like that. luckily i like rachel, because if i was by myself i'd probably go crazy (literally), and if i were with anyone else, i'd probably want to kill them (ie still go crazy). we have been going nonstop and finally had today off to regain our sanity. therefore, you guessed it - i baked.

i had this box of bisquick still sitting in my refrigerator, and it needed to be used. i would have loved to make pancakes but i figured that in order to share the wealth with fellow studiers tomorrow, i'd have to do something that carried a little better.  i've had an insane craving for banana bread since this past weekend, so the choice was easy - and there you have it.

spiced bisquick banana bread muffins (makes 16 regular)*

• 2 3/4 cups Bisquick
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup quick cooking oats
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 medium)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs

crumbled topping (optional)

• 1/2 cup Bisquick
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp butter, melted 

so for the muffins....just mix it all up. nice and easy. fill a paper-lined muffin tin to about 2/3 full. it will make 16 easy, but i made 12 and then a mini loaf to send for my pops.  if you're going with the crumble, mix that up in a separate bowl, then sprinkle on top of the muffins, pressing it lightly into the dough. bake at 400F for 15 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. cool completely, then store covered at room temp for 2 days, or refrigerated for about a week (for a rainy morning, they freeze well too - just wrap it in saran or foil, place in a ziploc, and sit it in the freezer). 
*so these turned out a little dryer than i would have liked. something about the bisquick... i'd add in 1/2 cup applesauce or 1/3 cup oil to make it a little more moist. if i were you and all. 

 this post only needed one picture. a picture of my muffin dominating the "first aid" book that has become my boards studying bible. can't you hear the muffin screaming? "eat THIS, step 1." 

clearly my wittiness has rubbed off on my muffins. 

back to the studying, folks. no worries though - guest blog coming soon from one of my favorite friends and bakers, carolina wang!