Friday’s best treat? Banana Cupcakes.

I was in my kitchen, mixing up batter for banana cupcakes when I found myself in fits of giggles. I couldn’t remember why, but I found myself chuckling to myself every time I made the batter.

So, I decided to put a little humor into my baking, and add banana slices to the batter. I did my best to conceal them, but I think my husband found them (or maybe he just had super eyes).

The cupcakes turned out great-everyone loved them, even my dog who usually loathes all things banana. But the best part was the unexpected laughter that filled the air every time I made them.

Bakeware, such as a banana cupcake pan.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
1/2 cup buttermilk

FOR THE BATTER:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg whites
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter and flour a banana cupcake pan, and set aside.

2) In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3) In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg, and mix until well combined. Add mashed bananas and buttermilk, and mix until well combined.

4) Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

5) Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cupcakes.

6) Let cupcakes cool for a few minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

-What ingredients do I need to make banana cupcakes?
-How long will it take me to make these banana cupcakes?
-What kind of frosting should I use?
-Do I need to preheat the oven?
-Can I make these banana cupcakes gluten-free?
-Do I need to let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them?
-Can I make these banana cupcakes dairy-free?
-How do I decorate them?

-What ingredients do I need to make banana cupcakes?

-You will need bread flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, butter, mashed banana, vanilla extract.
-You can replace the mashed banana with Greek yogurt for a dairy-free version.
-You can also replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.

-How long will it take me to make these banana cupcakes?

-These banana cupcakes will take about 25 minutes to make.

-What kind of frosting should I use?

-The type of frosting that you use is up to you. You can use cream cheese frosting, peanut butter frosting, or a chocolate frosting.

-Do I need to preheat the oven?

-No, you don’t need to preheat the oven.

-Can I make these banana cupcakes gluten-free?

-Yes, these banana cupcakes can be made gluten-free.

-Do I need to let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them?

-Yes, you should let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting them.

-Can I make these banana cupcakes dairy-free?

-Yes, you can make these banana cupcakes dairy-free. You can replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil for a dairy-free version.

-How do I decorate them?

-You can decorate these banana cupcakes with a frosting of your choice, or you can add some miniature bananas to the frosting.