April 6, 2014

Banana Walnut Muffins and Two Giveaways to Celebrate Spring

The weather is becoming warmer, and we are happy to feel and see the sunshine :) The warm temperatures make the bananas I buy ripe very fast, and I like this as I can use the ripe bananas in desserts and snacks. To celebrate the blue skies, fresh air, spring birds and blooms, I can't think of any other dessert but muffins with bananas and walnuts in it. With the long weekend coming soon, these easy to make, quick muffins would be wonderful to make a day ahead and take with us on a picnic or a road trip. These muffins taste even more special with a spread of Gay Lea Spreadables. 
Gay Lea Spreadables Butter takes traditional creamery butter and adds unsaturated canola oil, which means we don’t have to worry about tearing our muffins or bread when we spread it on. There are also no preservatives and it is a source of Omega 3. The Spreadables are available in Regular, Light, and Cinnamon and Brown Sugar. Our favourite is the Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Spreadables. 
To make the recipe for twelve Banana Walnut Muffins is adapted from the Model Bakery Cookbook we need...

1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup ripe banana mashed (2 bananas)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts plus 2 tbsp

Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and leave aside. Beat sugar, oil, and lemon juice using a hand held electric mixer on high speed until pale for about a minute, then beat in the egg. When the mixture is pale in colour add the flour mixture in thirds alternating with two equal additions of mashed bananas. Stir in the 1/2 cup walnuts and using a 1/4 cup measuring scoop place the mixture in a lined muffin pan. Divide the chopped 2 tbsp walnuts over the tops before baking.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in a preheated 375F oven until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave the baked muffins in the muffin pan for about 5 minutes before moving it to a wire rack to cool. The muffins stay in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.

Giveaways:
#1: Win 12 free product coupons to buy any Gay Lea product. One winner per blog, you can enter similar giveaways on other sites but will be eligible to win only one prize. This giveaway is open to everyone in Canada except Quebec residents until April 30th. 
Update: The winner is Brandee
a Rafflecopter giveaway

#2: A Waring Pro Double Belgian-Waffle Maker valued at $190. Open to everyone in Canada except Quebec residents until the end of April.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Blogger Campaign with MC Canada and receive special perks as part of my affiliation. All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2014. Please Ask First

119 comments:

  1. Honestly, I've never used gay lea spreadables. Gay Lea products are not available in Alberta.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am in Ontario, my fav product is their whipped cream!

    ReplyDelete
  3. i am in Newfoundland and i love Gay Lea garlic butter

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am not so creative in the kitchen unfortunately. My favourite way to use the Spreadables is on toast or muffins like the ones you baked. Can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the whipped cream for fruit and cakes and i do not have unique recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am in Ontario and my favourite product is Gay Lea Sour Cream! (Judy Cowan)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't really have any unique ways to cook with the spreadables but we have been using the cinnamon one on pancakes and I stirred in some with the carrots I cooked for dinner last night and that was good! (Judy Cowan)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I live in Ontario and I love Gay Lea butter!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have used the spreadables, however only for toast and sandwiches, not for cooking or baking.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like to use it to make cinnamon toast! (Suzi)

    ReplyDelete
  11. My way to use the spreadables is to use lots of it! My favourite recipe I use it in is Breakfast scramble. I fry potatoes and onion in copious amounts of butter, then I fry egg (also in butter) add spinach and peas, then toss it all in a casserole dish with some sausage and bacon, cover it all in cheese and put it in the oven.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I live in BC. My favourite Gay Lea product is their whip cream!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I haven't used it yet, but sounds perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches

    ReplyDelete
  14. I live in Ontario and I love the cinnamon and brown sugar spreadable butter, it's soooo good!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I live in Ontario. My favourite Gay Lea product is their sour cream.

    ReplyDelete
  16. don't really have any unique recipes, but I love the cinnamon on raisin toast mmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  17. I live in Ontario. My favourite Gay Lea product is their butter.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've never used the spreadable butter, I would be wonderful on fresh, hot banana muffins

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm in BC and my favourite product of Gay Lea's is there whipping cream

    RAFFLECOPTER NAME is Anne Taylor

    ReplyDelete
  20. I use Gay Lea spreadable on toast, muffins, garlic bread etc.

    RAFFLECOPTER NAME is Anne Taylor

    ReplyDelete
  21. I live in Fergus,Ontario. My fav. Gaylea product is there BUTTER

    ReplyDelete
  22. People love my choc.chip and peanut butter cookies. My secret is I use gaylea butter. Most people use margarine yuk.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I live in Niagara, we're fans of the butter :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I live in NW Ontario (land of the never-ending winter!).
    I love Gay Lea butter.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I live in NB and like Gaylea garlic butter.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I use Gaylea butter for my famous chocolate chip cookies!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am from Ontario. My favourite Gay Lea product is the butter.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ive never used the Spreadable butter. Not cery creative, but I would use it on toast and bagels.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I saw that Cinnamon Brown Sugar today and I was sooooo tempted :) Maybe I'll get some for my next 'treat'.

    Besides slathered on those muffins of yours I think it would be delicious on mashed sweet potatoes :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Muffin looks so soft and spongy...

    ReplyDelete
  31. I live in Ontario, I love gay lea butter... and whipped cream :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love putting a bit of melted gay lea butter into my pancake & waffle mix, gives it a buttery taste :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm in NB and I really like the brown sugar cinnamon butter. It's the best on pancakes.

    ReplyDelete
  34. i live in ontario and i love their spreadables

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm not the most creative baker or anything but I definitely try to jazz up some muffin sized apple pies every so often and they are delicious!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Where I live in Ontario we've got all the Gay Lea products but I must admit I've only ever used their butter but I'm dying to try the spreadables.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am not really creative with baking/cooking so I need to start getting creative- perhaps the cinnamon butter used in cookies?

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love using Gay Lea in my famous double chocoalte banana bread! I live in BC>

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm in Ontario & I use Gay Lea butter all of the time, It's my favourite.
    My rafflecopter name is Julie G.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I like to make garlic bread with the Gay Lea Spreadable Butter.
    My rafflecopter name is Julie G.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I live in Alberta and love gay lea whipped cream

    ReplyDelete
  42. I dont really have a fun and creative way to cook with gay lea I just bake normally with it . Muffins yum yum

    ReplyDelete
  43. I live in Ontario and we love the cinnamon butter on our pancakes.
    Lori R Jackson is my rafflecopter name

    ReplyDelete
  44. I have never used Gay Lea products as they are not available in my province. However I do like to use spreadable butter to make cinnamon toast!
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I live in Ontario Canada and I love Gay Lea Whip Cream (in a can of course!) :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have not actually tried any of the Gay Lea products, but would love to try the brown sugar cinnamon.

      Delete
  46. I live in Nova Scotia, I love their garlic butter

    ReplyDelete
  47. I live in Ontario. My favorite Gay Lea product is the Nordica 4% cottage cheese.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I dont have a secret recipe but would love to get some!

    Narathip W.
    polo_wataga at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I live in Abbotsford, BC.
    I love their butter.

    Narathip w.
    polo_wataga at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. My favorite way to use the butter is lazy homemade garlic bread which consists of toast, Gay Lea garlic butter with shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Then I microwave it for 30 seconds.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I have not actually tried any of the Gay Lea products, but would like to try the brown sugar cinnamon butter.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I live in Ontario. I like the Spreadables butter very much and their sour cream as well.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Don't have any really unique recipes, but I like to use Gay Lea Spreadable Butter when making garlic butter for garlic bread. Makes it easier for me to mix and spread. And tasty too.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm from Ontario.
    I like their salted butter.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I like to use their spreadable butter to butter fresh, homemade bread for grilled cheese sandwiches.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I live in BC. I love Gay Lea Sour Cream.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I am in Ontario and I have never used Gay Lea Spreadable Butter.

    ReplyDelete
  58. From Manitoba. Like the light butter

    ReplyDelete
  59. I live in Newfondland.. I love theGay Lea Whip Cream,,yumm!
    (Karla Sceviour)

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm in Newfoundland. My favourite is their butter. Wish they sold the bricks here :(

    ReplyDelete
  61. I live in Newfoundland and we use the Gay Lea Spreadables.
    Florence c

    ReplyDelete
  62. I like melting the Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Spreadables for making monkey bread. I used to dip the dough in melted butter and then dip in the cinnamon sugar mix, but now I just melt the Spreadables and use that. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I live in Ontario. My favourite Gay Lea product is their butter!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I use it on toast but my husband uses it on his popcorn,

    Florence C

    ReplyDelete
  65. I live in Ontario! My favourite Gay Lea product is their Real Whipped Cream!

    ReplyDelete
  66. I live in Alberta. I do not recognize the Gay Lea brand.

    ReplyDelete
  67. What is your favorite, most creative way to cook with Gay Lea Spreadable Butter? Do you have unique recipes? We don't use Gay Lea but I am going to look for it at our store soon. Butter is lovely in everything

    ReplyDelete
  68. I live in Ontario. I love butter. I use it on everything. My favorite thing to use it on is popcorn

    ReplyDelete
  69. I live in Saskatchewan. My favorite Gay Lea product is their French Onion Dip.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I don't have any creative ways to use the spreadable butter because I save it for sandwiches and toast and I use hard butter for baking.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I live in Ontario. I have never used in cooking. I would love the cinnamon and brown sugar on toast.

    ReplyDelete
  72. I'm in BC. I like Gay Lea Spreadables regular butter.

    ReplyDelete
  73. I don't have any fancy recipes but we use Gay Lea Spreadable butter mostly for toast, pancakes and french toast.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I live in Ontario - I tried the cinnamon & brown sugar butter and really like it!

    ReplyDelete
  75. I need some new ideas on how to use cinnamon & brown sugar butter - I like it to make cinnamon rolls, and it is good on waffles.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Not too creative but love it on my popcorn and we use it on toast a lot

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'm in New Brunswick. My favourite product is their butter.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I love making scones and lemon cakes. Not the most creative use but always have good results with their product.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I live in New Brunswick. Love using their spreadable butter to bake with.

    ReplyDelete
  80. I live in Ontario and I love Gay Lea unsalted butter for baking.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I'm not very creative with my cooking but I love to use spreadable butter on my baked breads.

    ReplyDelete
  82. I live in Ontario and love their sour cream. Yum!

    Besos, Sarah
    Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo

    ReplyDelete
  83. I don't cook or bake really so I'll be interested to see what ideas other people have.

    Besos, Sarah
    Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo

    ReplyDelete
  84. I've never used Gay Lea Spreadable Butter, but I would use it in any of my recipes. The cinnamon and brown sugar spread would be great to add to steamed vegetables.

    ReplyDelete
  85. love it on fresh and warm breads or cinnamon buns, in BC

    ReplyDelete
  86. Ontario is where I live and I love GayLea sour cream! (Suzi)

    ReplyDelete
  87. I'm from Nova Scotia. I haven't tried any Gay Lea products yet, so I don't have a favourite.

    ReplyDelete
  88. I'm in Alberta, and love the Butter!

    ReplyDelete
  89. I have not tried the spreadable butter yet, so curious to see what recipes I can come up with :)

    ReplyDelete
  90. I'm from Toronto, Canada and I love Gay Lea's Cinnamon spreadable butters. They are perfect for french toast!

    Rafflecopter name: Sarah S.
    texan_michael AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I use Gay Leas spreadable butter in mashed potatoes and when I'm making grilled cheese sandwiches.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I just love that spreadable butter on my toast

    ReplyDelete
  93. I live in ON, and I love their cottage cheese.

    ReplyDelete
  94. I love using it in baking to make banana bread

    ReplyDelete
  95. I've never cooked with it before and have only used the butter on my toast!

    ReplyDelete
  96. I live in BC and I haven't used very many of their products to have a favorite... yet!

    ReplyDelete
  97. I always use their butter. My recipes turn out fantastic. I live in Ontario
    (Debbie W)

    ReplyDelete
  98. I use the spreadable on my toast. It's handy
    (Debbie W)

    ReplyDelete
  99. I use it for garlic bread and pretty much anything I cook.

    ReplyDelete
  100. I live in manitoba and I like the cinnamon spread butter

    ReplyDelete
  101. I use gaylea products in my baking but I have nothing fancy to share

    ReplyDelete
  102. i am in nova scotia, i love gay lea whip cream

    ReplyDelete
  103. I live in Manitoba and besides Gay Lea butter my next top pick is their whipping cream!

    ReplyDelete
  104. I live in Port Hope Ontario, we love love the cinnamon spread.

    ReplyDelete
  105. I have never cooked with the spreadables but that would be interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  106. I live in Ontario and my favorite Gay Lea product is salted butter.

    ReplyDelete
  107. I live in Ontario. I love their cottage cheese!!

    ReplyDelete
  108. I used the spreadables on french toast. So yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  109. I'm in Ontario and I like their butter best.

    ReplyDelete
  110. I live in Manitoba and my fave is the spreadable butter

    ReplyDelete
  111. I live in Newfoundland I love the spreadable butter

    ReplyDelete
  112. Not creative but I use it to grease my baking pans

    ReplyDelete
  113. I'm in BC and I love their spreadable butter.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting :)