• Caramel Banana Cupcakes

  Filed under dessert - cakes/cupcakes
  Feb 11
  
  I feel like I’m cheating or something. I do realize that Valentine’s Day is only a few days away, and that I should be posting about delicious chocolate or other Valentine’s treats like this or this. But I’m not. Needless to say, I haven’t baked anything in the last few weeks. I wanted to post about something sweet today, so into the archives of photos I went, and there was no chocolate to be found – at least nothing worthy of this special day of love.

  So these may not be worthy to serve on Valentine’s Day, but my special Valentine sure did love these when I made them. But you really can’t go wrong with bananas and caramel!! They reminded me a lot of a “fancier” banana bread – the banana flavor comes through well in the cupcake, and the frosting is very buttery, so it made me think of a slice of banana bread with a nice slather of butter on top. I wish the caramel would have come through a little better, but it was still there in the background.

  Another great way to use up those browning bananas!!

  Caramel Banana Cupcakes
  from Every Day with Rachael Ray September 2008

  makes 18 cupcakes

  3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  1 cup ripe mashed banana
  1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  3/4 teaspoon salt
  1 3/4 cups flour
  1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk
  3 large eggs, separated
  One 5.5 ounce bag soft caramels (such as Werther’s Original Chewy)
  1/4 cup confectioners sugar

  Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 18 cups of 2 standard 12-cup muffin pans with baking liners. In a large bowl, beat 1 stick butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add 3/4 cup bananas, the baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt and beat until smooth. Stir in 1 cup flour. Mix in 6 tablespoons milk and the remaining 3/4 cup flour until smooth.

  Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually mix in the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar at high speed until stiff and glossy. Fold the egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain.

  Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling each liner three-quarters full. Cut 9 caramels in half, and submerge one piece in each muffin cup of batter. Bake until the cupcakes are springy to the touch, about 25 minutes. Let cool.

  Meanwhile, in a small, heavy saucepan, cook the remaining caramels, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup banana and 1/4 teaspoon salt over medium heat, stirring, until the caramels are melted.

  Using the electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and confectioners’ sugar until thick, about 3 minutes. Slowly beat in the caramel mixture; transfer the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cool.

  Using the electric mixer, beat the remaining 2 sticks butter at high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cooled caramel mixture, then beat at high speed until fluffy. Spread the frosting onto the cupcakes.

  Others Who Have Made This Recipe:

  I Like Sprinkles on a Cupcake
  Tofu and Cupcakes
  Lobster and Fishsticks
  All Things Related
  Momma’s Cafe

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  25 Comments

25 Responses to “Caramel Banana Cupcakes”

1. 

   Kash said on February 11th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

   Hi, I was wondering if I could use some of your recipes for a health blog I run.

   I will definitely link back to your blog for traffic and SEO purposes. Please let me know, some of these dishes looking amazing.

   The site is http://www.healthkicker.com, and I’m sure the audience would love these recipes.

   Thanks

   [Reply]

2. 

   Deborah said on February 11th, 2009 at 10:38 pm

   Kash,

   I couldn’t find an email address to respond, so I hope you get the response here! You are more than welcome to use any recipes, and a link would be appreciated. Glad you are enjoying them!

   [Reply]

3. 

   mikky said on February 12th, 2009 at 2:18 am

   great idea for valentine’s day… hope all is well with you and your new angel…

   [Reply]

4. 

   noble pig said on February 12th, 2009 at 3:30 am

   I don’t think you can go wrong wit these, they would work for me for Valentine’s.

   [Reply]

5. 

   Elyse said on February 12th, 2009 at 3:59 am

   wow, you’ve really done it. i’m not a steak-girl and you have me wanting to try steak. i also happen to…how, do i put this nicely…not be bananas’ biggest fan, but your cupcakes have me wanting to try bananas too! again, this is a testament to the power of your yummy looking goodies!

   [Reply]

6. 

   Claire said on February 12th, 2009 at 4:08 am

   Well, I certainly think they’re Valentine’s Day worthy! Why must it be chocolate???

   [Reply]

7. 

   Ning said on February 12th, 2009 at 4:56 am

   I would love to have a bite of these any day – valentines day or not!

   [Reply]

8. 

   Ben said on February 12th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

   Even if it is cheating, it still looks and sounds delicious. I don’t care for Valentine’s Day, but I would gladly eat those cupcakes.

   [Reply]

9. 

   bbaking said on February 12th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

   mmm I love banana cakes!

   I expect that lovely little lady of yours will take up some of the baking time now?

   [Reply]

10. 

    kat said on February 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Great flavor combination

    [Reply]

11. 

    Maria said on February 12th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    I am glad you posted these cupcakes! They look fantastic!! Happy V-day to you!

    [Reply]

12. 

    Ingrid said on February 12th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Looks good to me. I don't care of chocolate cakes so this is more to my taste.

    I have a banana cake in the freezer. I'm going to use "your" frosting when I defrost it! Dumb question but do I take it out & defrost in the fridge or counter? Now that I'm thinking about it I'm not sure. THX!
    ~ingrid

    [Reply]

13. 

    Michelle said on February 12th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    Sure why not caramel and bananas for Valentine’s day? Hope you have a good one!

    [Reply]

14. 

    Grace said on February 12th, 2009 at 9:34 pm

    you’re not cheating–these are more than enough to fulfill me. heck, all you had to say was caramel.

    [Reply]

15. 

    Elizabeth said on February 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am

    That flavor combo looks great!

    [Reply]

16. 

    Brilynn said on February 13th, 2009 at 4:47 am

    Those are totally worthy of being served on Valentine’s Day or any day!

    [Reply]

17. 

    n.o.e said on February 13th, 2009 at 5:17 am

    Well, my Valentine is allergic to chocolate; he’d no doubt love these cupcakes though! They look great.
    Nancy

    [Reply]

18. 

    Paula said on February 13th, 2009 at 6:52 am

    Bananas with caramel?!!! Sign me up! If this is cheating, have at it! YUM! Sending sleep wishes your way!

    [Reply]

19. 

    Patricia Scarpin said on February 13th, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I love finding new ways of baking with bananas, Deb – and you are so right, they are terrific with caramel!
    These look really delicious.

    [Reply]

20. 

    Rosie said on February 13th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    I think these cupcakes are just perfect for valentine’s Day!

    Rosie x

    [Reply]

21. 

    Donna-FFW said on February 13th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    These are beautiful and I bet they taste fantastic. So delicious!!! Great flavor combination!

    [Reply]

22. 

    glamah16 said on February 17th, 2009 at 1:40 am

    I love the flavor combo. Nice change for chocolate.Hope the V Day was special.

    [Reply]

23. 

    Bren said on February 18th, 2009 at 5:39 am

    what pretty cupcakes!

    [Reply]

24. 

    Kevin said on February 20th, 2009 at 2:35 am

    The caramel and banana combo sounds great!

    [Reply]

25. 

    Brighton said on November 11th, 2009 at 2:41 am

    I made these and they were amazing! I'm making the chocolate ganache cupcakes next.

    Thanks for the recipes

    [Reply]

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