Shortening Options: Organic brands like
Nutiva,
Grain Brain, or
Spectrum work great. In a pinch, you can substitute dairy-free buttery spread or sticks, or you can even use oil. We love the richness of coconut oil in recipes like this one.
Banana Topping Option: Thinly slice 1 to 2 bananas and place a slice on the top of each banana mini muffin before baking.