Compositions and curing agents comprising a benzylated Mannich base composition. The benzylated Mannich base composition includes a reaction product of (a) a substituted phenolic compound having at least one substituent of formula (I): wherein R1 is each independently a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or phenyl, with (b) a benzylated polyalkylene polyamine (II): wherein RA is substituted or unsubstituted benzyl; RB is each independently RA, or a hydrogen atom, or a group selected from C1-C16 linear, cyclic, and branched alkyl, alkenyl, and alkaryl groups; X, Y, and Z are independently selected from C2-C10 alkylene, and cycloalkylene groups; y is an integer from 0 to 7, and z is an integer from 0 to 4; and, optionally, (c) a multifunctional amine. Amine-epoxy compositions and articles produced from these compositions are also disclosed.