Frosted banana bread muffins

Homemade muffins like these make wonderful hostess gifts. Simply wrap them in foil and add a bow. These muffins feature a classic banana bread crumb and have a light, bright, lemon-and-sugar glaze that practically turns them into cupcakes. They're delicious as a guilt-free sweet, and make the ideal companion to a cup of black coffee or tea. Buttermilk is a regular star in baking recipes because the acidic milk helps to break down gluten, giving muffins and cakes a softer crumb and more light body. Golden raisins are perfect for this recipe, and are tucked into the muffins like unexpected little jewels all but hidden in the crumb. If you'd rather, though, swap them out for chopped toasted walnuts. Or use a combination of the two for a classic banana nut muffin.