Imagine your favorite sweet, delicious banana bread batter scooped into a cupcake mold, baked and then topped with a vanilla bean cream cheese frosting and toffee crumbles (yes more toffee–I can’t be trusted with an open bag).
I like to think these are still healthy.
Since they are banana bread and all.
I also like to think that eating half of the cream cheese frosting from a spoon is also healthy. Because, really, I love me some cream cheese frosting. And who says you can’t eat cupcakes for breakfast?
These cupcakes were born from two black bananas and the intense craving for banana bread, but also frosting at the same time.
It was seven thirty a.m.
What can I say? I’m a woman that knows what she wants.
So I started baking. In my pajamas and leopard print slippers. And with a cup of Earl Grey in hand. The only time I paused was to wipe away a smear of banana off of my extra-thick glasses.
Finally, only 40 minutes later, I had victory.
If you like banana bread, you’ll LOVE these. And the cream cheese frosting just puts them over the top. The cupcakes are more bread-like than these, but super moist from the ripe bananas and buttermilk. In fact, they might be my new favorite cupcake of choice!
They’re great because they’re not over-the-top sweet…just like banana bread. The perfect vehicle for super rich and sweet frosting!
Banana Bread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
makes 1 dozen cupcakes
2 1/3 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 extra-ripe bananas, mashed with a fork until smooth
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
for cream cheese frosting:
1 stick butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
seeds of one vanilla bean (or 2 tsp vanilla extract but if you can get the vanilla bean, do that..it makes a big difference!)
Preheat your oven to 350 and grease (or line) a cupcake pan.
Cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy and then add the eggs, one at time, beating after each addition.
In a small bowl, combine the mashed banana with the vanilla and buttermilk and stir well until combined.
In a larger bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon).
Add the wet and dry ingredients alternately to the creamed butter, mixing well after each addition. This works best if you have a Kitchen Aid and keep it running on low the whole time.
Fill muffin tins about 3/4th of the way full (I just about fill mine up every time) and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden.
Let cool completely while you make the frosting.
For the frosting, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla bean seeds and powdered sugar and beat on high until light and fluffy.
Top cupcakes with toffee bits if you like—I highly recommend it!
Monday morning suddenly got a whole lot sweeter.
megan @ blackberries for jam
February 7, 2011 at 5:04 amThese look fantastic! Too bad bananas never last long enough in my house to be made into banana bread!
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
February 7, 2011 at 5:12 amI want a spoonful of cream cheese frosting with toffee bits sprinkled on top sooo badly now! Yum!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
February 7, 2011 at 5:12 amwe must have the same brain…i woke up this morning craving this exact same treat! can’t wait to make them this week 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet
February 7, 2011 at 5:26 amLove banana cupcakes! so good.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
February 7, 2011 at 5:28 amOh WOW! I had some too-ripe bananas in my kitchen this weekend and used them for banana pancakes which I thought were delicious, but now I really REALLY want these!
kalli
February 7, 2011 at 5:40 amwhat a great and fun breakfast Jenna!
mary (sisters running the kitchen)
February 7, 2011 at 5:42 amyum! these cupcakes look amazing!
Kristina
February 7, 2011 at 5:42 amWOW!!!!! Good thing I just froze all my bananas or i’d be making a hot mess in the kitchen trying to make these right now…and then eat the whole batch! Bookmarking this one!
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life
February 7, 2011 at 5:46 amThat frosting is so beautiful! I think frosting definitely belongs on your resume.
Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes
February 7, 2011 at 5:50 amI can’t WAIT to make these, and here’s why: I LOVE banana bread, but do not like other banana-flavored things, like milkshakes, cookies, and yes, even cupcakes. So, a rich banana bread with fluffy frosting? YES! That way I get my banana bread AND my frosting, too. Genius.
Estela @ Weekly Bite
February 7, 2011 at 5:55 amBanana cupcakes are my best friends favorite! Her B-Day is coming up soon! I must make these for her 🙂
Justeen @ Blissful Baking
February 7, 2011 at 5:57 amThe cupcakes look incredibly fluffy and the frosting sooo creamy! I want these!!
Stephanie
February 7, 2011 at 5:57 amWe go through three bunches of bananas a week in our house that always get eaten. Looks like I might have found a reason for the fourth bunch…(hide it and let them get brown) 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
February 7, 2011 at 5:58 amI love banana bread so much. It’s seriously my favorite sweet bread.
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
February 7, 2011 at 5:58 amOhhh my gosh. Amazing. Seriously. Now I want cupcakes…wahh. haha
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
February 7, 2011 at 6:01 amThose look great! The toffee is just a perfect addition.
Haleigh
February 7, 2011 at 6:03 amBeautiful photos Jenna! I always trick myself to believe that anything with fruit in it is somewhat healthy, like banana bread, peach cobbler, apple pie, etc 😉
jen @ taste life
February 7, 2011 at 6:04 amIs it just me, or does cream cheese frosting make everything better?
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:38 amI’m going on a cream cheese frosting diet…who’s with me?!
Camille
February 7, 2011 at 6:04 amAs I have recently discovered that bananas are my favorite food (yep, I’m weird like that), I am all about these! Yum!
Maria
February 7, 2011 at 6:05 amYou had me at cream cheese frosting!
The Blue-Eyed Bakers
February 7, 2011 at 6:09 amWould you believe we were just looking for a banana cupcake recipe? So these are not only delicious looking but rather well timed. Hurrah!
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:38 amawesome! Let me know if you make them!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
February 7, 2011 at 6:10 amI love the combo of banana cake or bread with cream cheese frosting – the toffee is such a great touch for texture!
Christie {Abundant Self Care}
February 7, 2011 at 6:11 amYummy!! These look absolutely delicious!!!
Evan Thomas
February 7, 2011 at 6:13 amYum. Between the banana and the cream cheese, this sounds like a well balanced breakfast 😉
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
February 7, 2011 at 6:20 amOh goodness. I’m starting my morning off with a major craving.
Kati @ Living Well
February 7, 2011 at 6:21 amI love your blog. That is all.
🙂
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:37 amthank you! 🙂
Lida (Octopus Gourmet)
February 7, 2011 at 6:23 amI don’t even like cupcakes (Yes, I know…) and these sound delicious
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy
February 7, 2011 at 6:34 amRecipes like this always make me wish I wasn’t allergic to bananas!
Amy
February 7, 2011 at 6:42 amI know this might be a sin to admit (especially as a runner…) but I do not like bananas. In fact, I try to avoid them like the plague. BUT, I love banana bread– I crave it, actually 🙂 And I was just thinking the other day how much I (wanted) NEEDED to make some. These will be amazing! 🙂
Arlene
February 7, 2011 at 6:43 amNothing wrong with knowing what you want:D Good on you, Jenna – enjoy!
Arlene
February 7, 2011 at 6:48 amNothing wrong with knowing what you want… Good on you, Jenna! Enjoy 😀
Janice
February 7, 2011 at 6:50 amI want to come toyour house for breakfast! Those look amazing. My mouthi s watering. Cupcakes for breakfast is the greatest idea ever!
Alina @ Duty Free Foodie
February 7, 2011 at 7:07 amThat’s a really good idea! Bananas and frosting… yum!
sonia
February 7, 2011 at 7:11 amThe banana cupcakes are looking fantastic ! The cream cheese topping makes it more yummmm. I’m sure my son wud luv it… !
Julie (Food & Other Things)
February 7, 2011 at 7:11 amI love banana bread so I’m sure I’d love these cupcakes. I’ve never had cream cheese frosting it looks amazing!
Natalia - a side of simple
February 7, 2011 at 7:17 amThese kind of need to happen…NOW. I believe it’s the only way for my week to be a success.
Baking 'n' Books
February 7, 2011 at 7:24 amI baked and ate 1/2 a banana bread last night. It was superbowl sunday. I shouldn’t have. But I did.
But these take the cake!
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:36 ambanana bread is delicious–plus, super bowl sunday is a holiday!
Baking 'n' Books
February 7, 2011 at 1:01 pmJudging by the amount of baked goods I eat – then everyday is a holiday! 🙂
Maria
February 7, 2011 at 7:51 amI always have brown bananas to use up. Can’t wait to make these!
Katherine: Unemployed
February 7, 2011 at 8:00 amgreat combination of ingredients: bananas, toffee, nuts and creme! delicious
mary (whats cookin with mary)
February 7, 2011 at 8:04 amWhat a great way to start the week. ‘naner muffins + frosting = AMAZINGNESS
elizabeth
February 7, 2011 at 8:06 amdamn girl, you have a gift, what can I say???
Recently, a tea company sent me a recipe for Earl Grey cupcakes but they used a cake mix as a base and added earl grey tea to the batter. I’ve seen earl grey vanilla cookies around the blogs (they had this weird, gruel-y looking icing on them though and they just didn’t look purty). This idea is intriguing to me (I love London Fog lattes yummmm like drinking tasty perfume!)
And plans for tea infused desserts by any chance? Oh pretty pretty please!?!
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:36 amI love tea infused recipes! Last summer I made a yummy rooibos quinoa with dried blueberries (http://eatliverun.com/breakfast-recipes/rooibos-quinoa-with-dried-blueberries-and-coconut/) and cinnamon pear dumplings with ginger tea syrup! http://eatliverun.com/cinnamon-pear-dumplings-with-ginger-tea-syrup/
Moni'sMeals
February 7, 2011 at 8:07 amoh wow. Right up my alley. I will have these made by the end of the week for sure. Yum, I like how you sprinkled peanuts on them too, prefecto!
Emily @ Savory and Savage
February 7, 2011 at 9:03 amThe banana muffins look very tasty – I love them because they are not overly sweet. If only there was a way to make a savory icing…
Lu @ Done Dieting
February 7, 2011 at 9:04 amToffee and I have been in a long term relationship for many years. It would be highly offended if I did not include it on this dessert. I don’t want to upset it. Our bond is strong. These look amazing. I can’t wait to try these out. Usually banana bread is too sweet, but you’re assurance that the frosting is what makes them decadent is an awesome selling point for me.
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:30 amI understand perfectly. And they are delicious—especially right out of the fridge!
laurie
February 7, 2011 at 9:09 amI finally made your famous Lemon Brown Sugar Chicken recipe and my family RAVED about it! I think it will now become a new family favorite and I’m making it for my dinner party this week so THANK YOU so much, Jenna!!
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:29 amthank you! I’m glad y’all liked it!
Michelle
February 7, 2011 at 9:11 amI love banana bread in EVERY form. These look DELISH!!!
Lisa
February 7, 2011 at 9:13 amI wish I could make these.,.they sound amazing and I love love love banana in dessert. The bf won’t eat banana anything though so I’m definitely not making these to sit in my house…I will seriously eat them ALL! But I bet these would be a huge hit at a potluck.
Gloria
February 7, 2011 at 9:15 amI think you can stop apologizing for the fact that the majority of the recipes you share these days are “unhealthy.” I, for one, enjoy the blog more now that there is more butter involved. I feel like calling attention to the fact that you’re no longer quite as health-conscious with your recipes is getting super repetitive. And it’s unnecessary! You should just post what you post and not have to apologize to readers who might prefer spinach and egg whites. Just my two cents.
jenna
February 7, 2011 at 9:28 amI’m totally kidding most of the time! Most of what I say is meant to be taken very tongue-and-cheek 🙂
salah (My Healthiest Lifestyle)
February 7, 2011 at 9:19 amthis is the best looking recipe I’ve seen in a loooooong time. I want thse now. haha 🙂
Nicole
February 7, 2011 at 9:32 amI’m going to buy bananas today but they can’t brown soon enough! Maybe this would be a great Valentine’s day weekend recipe, since I have next Monday off.
Brenna [fabuleuxdestin]
February 7, 2011 at 9:59 amI was just craving banana bread…
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
February 7, 2011 at 10:00 amHoly yum! I’ll take any excuse to eat cupcakes for breakfast 🙂
Megan H
February 7, 2011 at 10:07 amThank you!! I have been craving frosting all weekend….I was going to make a trip to the store after work to pick up a container to eat when I get home but now I can just make these!!
Helena
February 7, 2011 at 10:27 amMmmmmh…cream cheese frosting 🙂
sisters running the kitchen
February 7, 2011 at 10:44 amwow these look great! gonna bookmark this recipe. love cream cheese frosting too!
Lauren Z.
February 7, 2011 at 11:15 amJenna, these look delicious! I have a question about the buttercream: how long do you usually beat the mixture “until light and fluffy”? I have tried making it once before and I thought it looked good, but after a while it looked separated and greasy. My guess is maybe I didn’t beat it long enough. Thanks! I can’t wait to try again! 🙂
Brooke @ Bittersweetb
February 7, 2011 at 2:19 pmMonday did get a whole lot sweeter! I was definitely ina slump at work til I saw these babies. Toffee+banana+butter cream=bliss! I have to try these.
Robyn M
February 7, 2011 at 2:25 pmOMG. Now I am totally craving banana bread cupcakes!! MMM Going to make them tonight! Love the last post too! Totally makes me jealous that we don’t have mountains without driving 4.5 hours
Lisa (Dishes of Mrs. Fish)
February 7, 2011 at 3:38 pmOh yum. Two of my favorite things just had a baby! What a beautiful baby it is. 🙂
sirenjess
February 7, 2011 at 4:28 pmThis is a moment that takes my breath away. Now I have to make these cupcakes and brownies. Thanks.
HeatherChristo
February 10, 2011 at 3:13 pmI have been looking for a banana cupcake recipe for forever. These look great!
Thanks Jenna!
Peggy
February 12, 2011 at 6:42 amThese look absolutely fantastic! I love the cream cheese frosting to top them off! Perfect breakfast!
Rose Plated
February 12, 2011 at 9:27 amI love the peanut toppings on your cupcakes. Peanut is a perfect match for banana and that’s why these cupcakes are so yummy!
shiny yoga*
February 13, 2011 at 12:17 amI AM SO MAKING THESE!! yum yum! xo
Hilray
February 13, 2011 at 6:20 pmSo I made this weekend and I have to say that they were DELICIOUS. My Mom exclaimed they were beautiful and ‘mmmmm good’.. so I’d say they were a hit!
jenna
February 14, 2011 at 7:40 amI’m so glad!!
Melanie Schoenhut
February 14, 2011 at 9:13 amI just bought all of the ingredients yesterday and I am so excited to make these for our valentines treat. LOL. This will surely be a hit to our beloved neighbors.
Lauren
April 10, 2011 at 10:20 amThese look amazing! I would make these, but I live by myself and would eat them all!
Thomas
May 1, 2011 at 7:16 pmI made these this afternoon and they are delicious. Even though I was originally looking for a banana bread-like cupcake, I actually love that these feel like cupcakes (super yum and moist cake cupcakes) and taste like banana bread. I did a different frosting, which I would also recommend–peanut butter (frosting)–but only if you’re sharing the cupcake because the cupcake itself is already thick and rich. But even with nothing on them, these are amazingly delicious!
Sarah Elizabeth
June 23, 2011 at 7:58 pmOh my gosh, Jenna, these are so good! I shouldn’t be surprised though – all of your recipes are fantastic. I am in love with your “yogi trail mix bars,” and I just tried and loved your “green tea smoothies.” Also: I think your trick for poaching an egg (adding vinegar to the water) was kind of life-changing. Will we be seeing a cookbook in your future? 🙂
Pumpkin & Chocolate Muffins | Gluten Free Cooking
June 25, 2011 at 3:15 am[…] cream cheese frosting will also go well with these muffins. I like this Agave version and here is a sugar version which I think looks good. These muffins are delicious on their own if you prefer not to frost them. […]
Sarah Elizabeth
June 25, 2011 at 11:28 amJust read your “FAQ” section and saw that you ARE writing a cookbook, so in that case, let me just say that I am looking forward to seeing the finished product! 🙂
Banana Bread Cupcakes « {apple} of my pie
June 30, 2011 at 8:10 am[…] banana cupcakes. I had been dreaming about them for weeks ever since I saw the recipe on Eat, Live, Run I was in […]
Les desserts de Catherine : Mon top 10 de cupcakes trop alléchants! | Elle M la mode
January 29, 2012 at 6:01 am[…] Oh! Des bananes et un glaçage au fromage à la crème dans le même cupcake? Je […]
Helen
March 27, 2012 at 2:41 amOooh you star! I made these this morning (also around 7:30, as it happens) when I realised I had two play dates for the day, and no snacks for hungry 3-year-olds. Thanks so much for sharing such a great treat!
Not only were the cupcakes gobbled up with great glee, but I can happily report that your recipe is super-robust in the hands of early-morning, toddler-distracted cooks – short of butter, I topped up with peanut oil; out of granulated sugar, I used raw; and (gasp!) your careful alternate addition of wet and dry ingredients got a little lost somewhere around “oh my, look at the time, best just get these in the oven!”.
Never fear, though, these beauties turned out exactly as pictured (sans frosting, by the way – I figure I can leave that out til my daughter gets wise to the cupcakes=frosting equation; but still so good!).
Between two sets of friends and a peckish daddy, they look unlikely to last 24 hours :).
Katya
April 17, 2012 at 5:48 pmJust made these and they are amazing! Thank you!
Margaret
October 29, 2012 at 11:15 amI made these yesterday for my neice’s birthday. I was able to get 2 6 inch cakes for her smash cake as well as 6 cupcakes. They were a HIT! Thanks so much!
right now « rayshine
January 22, 2013 at 5:14 pm[…] (& white chocolate) chip cookies. <– I want to make both of these. So badly. My favorite. And this. I know the second isn’t the same obviously, but I’m on a weird banana […]
http://tinyurl.com/zitabrush43281
February 1, 2013 at 11:30 pmI really speculate how come you called this article, “Banana Bread Cupcake Recipe”.
In any event I adored the blog!Thanks for your effort-Cole
Alex Su
April 17, 2014 at 6:05 amJust made these and featured them on my blog. No more wasted bananas! Awesome recipe!
http://thesuchef.org/2014/03/11/banana-bread-cupcakes/