Post #115: Budget-Friendly Banana and Pecan Cupcakes

From banana and pecan cupcakes

I love baking cupcakes. They are so classic and so chic at the same time. What I love about making cupcakes is that they are easy to bake and give out to several people at one time. This way every one feels special, without you having to break the bank or your back! This time, my awesome neighbors were the recipients of these little dainty treats.

I know, they love me.

We have been on a banana-nut kick lately! Over Easter weekend, I picked up a new cupcake book at Walgreens on sale for $3.99, simply titled, Cupcakes, by Susanna Tee. In it was yet another awesome banana-nut recipe to cater to our recent craving.

Banana & Pecan Cupcakes

makes 24 cupcakes

• scant 1 5/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 ripe bananas
• 8 tbsp butter, softened, or soft margarine
• generous 1.2 cup of superfine sugar
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

 Topping

•  8 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup pecans, minced

Preheat the oven to 375F. Put 24 paper cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Peel the bananas, put them in a bowl, and mash with a fork. Put the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and sour cream. Using a metal spoon, fold in the sifter flour mixture and chopped nuts, then spoon the batter into the paper liners. Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. To make the topping, put the butter in a bowl and beat until fluffy. Sift in the confectioners' sugar and mix together well. Spread the frosting on top of each cupcake and sprinkle with the minced pecans before serving. 

From banana and pecan cupcakes

The topping was very buttery which overpowered the sweetness, or at least to me it did. I added a touch of vanilla to boost the flavor of the topping.  The end result was a very moist banana-nut tasting treat which was very moist and buttery sweet.

It was a great after-school treat for the kids and a nice way to treat the neighbors, plus it was easy and budget-friendly.