Cafe & Cocoa Banana Muffins

There's just something about it...sunshine peaking through the curtains in the morning. The warm golden light tickling your cheeks and wrapping you in a soft, cozy blanket of comfort. You wanna carry this feeling throughout the day...Whether it's in a banged up old mug from the back of your cupboard, a well thought-out thermos or the iconic little paper cup with a boujee lid and an added sleeve. Coffee is like the little piece of happiness we feel in the morning carried with us throughout the day. It seems when things get hard, they're just easier to handle with a warm cup of sunshine in your hand and a bold, sweet flavour on your tongue. A kin to this feeling is when a complete stranger you pass on your way throughout the day simply says, with genuine meaning: "Have great day". I remember talking to an old friend who had lived a truly turbulent life, he had been in the army for another country and seen some pretty horrific things. But when I knew him, all he wanted was something of a simple life. He told me what he missed the most about his life before becoming a soldier was having the girl he loved simply ask him at the end of each day: "How was your day?". This taught me the value of human connection. I'm always sure to wish my barista, bus driver, cashier, anyone I meet throughout the day a simple: "Have a great day" It seems so small and insignificant. But you truly never know what something small and warm can do for someone who may only be feeling cold on the inside. Funny isn't it? There's just something about the simple things.

Muffin Recipe

• 3 Brown bananas

• 1/4 cup Cocoa

• 3 tsp Vanilla

• 1/4 cup Oil

• 3 Eggs

• 2 tsp Baking powder

• 1/2 cu flour

• 1 1/4 cup Sugar

• 1 tsp Coconut extract

• 3 tsp French vanilla instant coffee (dry)

• Dash of cinnamon

• Greased muffin tin

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350F

2. Mash the bananas in your bowl until smooth (mine are usually frozen, so I heat them up, peel and mash!)

3. Add in the eggs and vigorously mix until combined.

4. Toss in the coffee (should dissolve in the wet mixture) but make sure to whisk it all in the batter anyway!

5. Next, add in the oil and repeat.

6. Then add in the extracts and mix.

7. Throw in the dry ingredients and mix it all up until smooth (Don't over mix though!)

8. Grease a muffin tin and pour the batter in about 3/4 full each cup.

9. Place the muffins in your pre-heated oven and bake (being sure to check the batter in about 2-3 intervals) for about 10-15 minutes. Take out when the centre is still a little gooey but the rest is baked and fluffy!

10. Now while they're baking let's whip up the drizzle!

French Vanilla Chocolate Drizzle

• 1/8 cup Cocoa

• 4 tsp French vanilla instant coffee

• 3 1/2 Cap coconut extract

• 1/4 cup Icing sugar

• 1/8 cup Plus an extra splash of water

• 1 tbsp Margarine or butter

1. Heat up a small pot on medium heat, add in your butter, half the sugar and 3 tsp of the coffee grinds and stir together in the pot.

2. Once it comes together, add in your coconut extract and mix in.

3. Then add in the water and let it thicken while stirring.

4. Toss in your cocoa and mix it all in until smooth and thick.

5. Add in the last portion of sugar and coffee.

6. Taste and see how you like it! If it's good, keep on low heat and stir until muffins are done.

7. Once the muffins are cooled, drizzle over the tops and voila! Fluffy, chocolate, coffee goodness!

"Kindness: A simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world" -Anonymous