Banana Cupcakes

Inspiration: My local grocery store had bananas at 33 cents a pound! And I could not pass that deal up!
Not to mention, my grandma always makes fried plantains and my grandfather used to always make banana smoothies with my sister.
So I was feeling a little nostalgic.




Life, oh, what a mess...
I'm currently hidden behind stacks of scholarship applications, cake orders, W-2s, credit card bills, tax documents, school applications, and FAFSA stuff.
(FAFSA... That's the worst of all.)
Not to mention all the blank paper that needs to be turned into long, drawn-out, yet intriguing essays for my scholarship and school applications. =P

Let's face it, I'd much rather be baking.

And while I sit here, acting cool, calm, and collected, I consider going into acting.
Because while everyone thinks I have everything under control, I am actually quite panicky inside.
Boy, have I got them all fooled.

Please, excuse my melodramatic post, and enjoy these cupcakes.
(Everyone loved them!!!!)

I paired them with a simple buttercream with pecans folded in.

Gracias for paying a visit! =D

Cupcakes & Kisses
Paula-Marie



Makes 12
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe bananas), plus 1 whole banana, for garnish (optional)
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

2. Make a well in center of flour mixture. In well, mix together butter, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Stir to incorporate flour mixture (do not overmix). Dividing evenly, spoon batter into muffin cups.
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Spread tops with frosting.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/desserts_E0308WELD_T