METHOD
Heat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/gas 5. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with
paper cases. Sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda
and caster sugar with a big pinch of salt. In a separate bowl mix the melted butter, vanilla extract, eggs, mashed bananas and buttermilk.
Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the wet
ingredients in. Roughly mix together with a fork, being careful not to
over-mix. Scatter in the chopped pecans, if using, then spoon the
mixture into the muffin cases. Top with pecan halves, then bake for
20-25 mins, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.