Banana Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting

I polled some of my Facebook fans over the weekend, wondering what their favorite kind of cupcakes are.  I love hearing about all the different combinations and why they appeal to people.  It was on my mind because over the weekend, cupcake baking certainly kept me busy.

I baked three different types for my cousin's birthday party, based on the flavors she named when I asked earlier in the week what her favorites were.  Which, by the way, wasn't that convincing...

"Banana.  Hmmm...strawberry.  Chocolate.  Oh, I don't know."

Um, okay.  So now you know why I made three different kinds :)

The original recipe that I used for these cupcakes called for a browned butter frosting, but I had a better idea...an idea that uses a very well received, delicious ingredient that begins with the letter N.

You with me so far?

These were a cinch to make, thanks to the fact that the recipe calls for boxed cake mix.  A little doctoring goes a long way.  Yum.

And the frosting, well, let's just say I'm thankful that I have a little bit leftover in the fridge.

Finally, one LAST time...PLEASE vote for my Pasta e Fagioli...voting ends TODAY!!  Share the link with your friends and family too, if you don't mind :)

CLICK HERE to vote.

Banana Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting

cake recipe from Betty Crocker

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup (2 medium) mashed ripe bananas

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup water

3 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place cupcake liners in about 20 of the muffin cups (I got 22).  In large bowl, stir all ingredients just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Spoon batter evenly into cups.

Bake for about 16-18 minutes, or until toothpick comes out of center clean.

For the frosting (from Ming Makes Cupcakes):

1/2 cup Nutella

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

5 tablespoons heavy cream

Mix all ingredients together until fluffy.  Add a bit more cream if necessary.

Frost cupcakes once they are completely cool.  Garnish with a banana slice, if desired.

Linked to: Tastetastic Thursday

A Valentine's Day dessert - and the winner of my latest giveaway!

Frank and I aren't big on Valentine's Day.  I've always made a more "special" meal at home, we exchange cards...that's about it.  The few times I've been out on the Hallmark holiday have resulted in rushed service, overpaying for mediocre food, or something equally as dreadful.  Just not worth it.

I'm not sure exactly when I'll be serving our Valentine's meal this time around - probably over the weekend - but it'll include a few of Frank's very favorite dishes (stay tuned!).  In the meantime, check out this decadent dessert that I made in advance...there's plenty of time for you to run out and get the ingredients, if you don't already have them in your pantry.

The star of the show - Nutella.  Drool.

Before I give you the recipe, I need to announce the winner of my latest giveaway!  Congratulations to Harriet!  She wins the prize :)  Harriet, you have 48 hours to respond to my email, otherwise I will conduct another random selection.

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:43Powered by RANDOM.ORG

harrietk said...
Red Velvet, without a doubt!

hkarkanias@optonline.net
February 10, 2011 3:54 PM

Nutella Cheesecake Brownies

from The Family Kitchen


For the Brownie Layer:
4 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup Nutella
1/3 cup flour

For Nutella Cheesecake Layer:

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup Nutella

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

In one bowl, beat all the brownie ingredients together.  In a separate bowl, beat together all of the Nutella cheesecake ingredients.  Scrape the brownie batter into the bottom of an 8×8 pan (yes, it will be quite full.  these are thick brownies!)  Spoon little plops of the Nutella cheesecake all over the top of the brownie batter.  

Smooth the cheesecake carefully and completely over the brownie layer with a spatula.  Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees and bake for 50-55 minutes.  The center of the brownies will be set, but if you poke a toothpick into them, it won’t come out dry.  It's okay...the cheesecake layer needs to cool completely to set up.

Linked to:  This Week's Cravings - Chocolate, hosted by Mom's Crazy Cooking