Spontaneous baking… Haha that’s what this was. That & it was the perfect opportunity to use those edible silver pearls I just bought! I really wanted to make something with bananas so I was about to make my 4-ingredient banana bread, but…… There was the fact that I couldn’t remember the last time I made cupcakes. Cupcakes it was :)
*Why do I say “Happiness in A Cupcake”?? Well, as it turns out- Bananas have been known to cheer people up. They are the only fruit that contain high levels of tryptophan that is later converted to serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that lowers depression. Sadly….. I discovered during my research that this is a myth -__- Yes, bananas contain serotonin. BUT there remains the fact that this serotonin is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and so can’t get to where it needs to be. I still believe there is a lot of happiness to be found in bananas. Seriously, with almost no fat, low calories, and a plentiful of vitamins who could deny this bountiful fruit?
Banana Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- 2 eggs
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions
Preheat: 350 F
- Get a large mixing bowl and beat the butter for a few minutes until creamy
- Add the sugar and then the eggs & vanilla extract while beating at a low speed
- Add the 2 mashed bananas & coconut and continue to beat
- Mix in the flour and buttermilk in small intervals
- Fill the cupcake pan about 2/3 full each and bake for about 18 minutes
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Beat together the cream cheese and butter
- Add the powdered sugar in small intervals
- Pour in the vanilla extract and beat until fluffy for a couple minutes
Adapted from BlissfullyDelicious