Thursday, April 16, 2009

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.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I love banana cake especially with cream cheese icing. What a yummy idea to make cupcakes!

Megan said...

Ooh yummy. Cake is great is just about any form, really. I'll bet adding cream cheese frosting would make these super-spectacular

Jennifer said...

Can I be your neighbor! I love cupcakes!

Mermaid Sews said...

I love making cupcakes too - and finding bargain cupcake books - these look great.

Ginger said...

I love those bargain cookbooks. It looks like you have a winner with your Banana and Pecan Cupcakes. These are just perfect for "Mommy" coffee hour with the neighbors. I guarantee they will be a hit... Thank you for sharing...

Donna-FFW said...

LOVE this combo and in cupcake form, you are my new hero with this recipe.. they look great.

Anonymous said...

These cupcakes sound really yummy! My daughter would definitely love them as she adores pecans!

Anonymous said...

Sound and look delicious. YUM.

Unknown said...

They sound scrumptious! And I just happen to have every ingredient at the house. I will make some for our neighbors right now! I can't wait!

Dragana said...

They were delicious and very banana-y. Loved the icing!

Anne said...

Yum! Those look delicious! :)