Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (and filling!)
Posted: 09/27/2013
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
These banana cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting are the perfect combination of banana and chocolate. The sweet filling inside makes them extra special.
Over 25% of kids diagnosed with cancer do not survive because of lack of effective therapies.
Do I have your attention now?
I’m teaming up with OXO (they aren’t paying me, but more on that at the end of this post) to bring you these cupcakes and help defeat kids’ cancer.
Everyone has different opinions when it comes to religion, politics, etc. but I think there is one thing we can all agree on:
kids
should
not
get
cancer.
I mean…what the heck?
These cupcakes are one of my favorite recipes. I made them even more decadent by hollowing out the middle using OXO’s cupcake corer and filling them with chocolate cream cheese frosting. The more, the better, right?
The cake itself is extremely moist and the combination of banana and chocolate is an obvious winner. We’ll just all eat banana cupcakes with chocolate cream cheese frosting and live happily ever after.
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is an organization founded by two OXO employees inspired by their two-year-old’s battle with cancer. I can’t even begin to fathom what that would be like. I can’t even handle my kids having a cold. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer uses the simple concept of local events like bake sales to raise money to fund research for pediatric cancer research.
Speaking of cupcakes, I can’t wait to try these Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes from Wishes and Dishes! Have you tried my Carrot Cake Cupcakes with cream cheese filling? So good! For easy cupcakes that you don’t have to frost or fill, try these Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes. The filling is baked right in.
Enjoy the banana and chocolate combo?
You can’t go wrong with that combination! Try these favorite recipes:
- Chocolate Banana Bread (reduced fat, whole wheat)
- Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting
- Whole Wheat Banana Bread with chocolate and coconut
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
cupcakes
These banana cupcakes are the perfect combination of banana and chocolate. The sweet filling inside makes them extra special.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- about 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners and preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer (you may also use a hand mixer), combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add mashed bananas, buttermilk, shortening, eggs and vanilla; mix on low until combined. Once combined, increase mixer speed to medium and beat for three minutes.
- Divide evenly between 24 prepared cupcake tins. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly in tins before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled completely, use OXO Cupcake Corer to gently remove centers of cupcakes, being careful not to cut all the way to the bottom. (Use a twisting motion.)
- Prepare frosting by beating all ingredients together with electric mixer until smooth and slightly fluffy. Using a piping bag, pipe frosting into hollowed out cupcakes and into a pretty pile on top. Serve immediately or store in fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
- If you don't have a cupcake corer, try one of these methods instead: Insert the tip of the piping bag into the cupcake and pipe in the filling. You won't be able to fit as much filling in. OR use an apple corer to make a well in the center of the cupcake. OR use a small sharp paring knife to cut a cone shaped hole in the center of the cupcake. OR don't fill the cupcakes. Simply pile the frosting on top.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1g, Calories: 276kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 161mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 33g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Carolyn says
How do I utilize the the shortening in this recipe?
Is it melted first?
if not, exactly where do I mix it in? The wet or dry ingredients?
Rachel Gurk says
The shortening is mixed in with the rest of the wet ingredients. No need to melt. :) Enjoy!
Dee says
I just recently discovered your web site when looking for a banana cupcake recipe. These are AMAZING! Thank you — a real big hit with everyone!!
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you liked the cupcakes! Can’t go wrong with all that frosting. ;)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
kids should NOT get cancer :( Ugh it’s so sad to think about.
So instead I’ll focus on happy things, like OXO and these fantabulous cupcakes!
Sharleen says
Great recipe and thank you for sharing! Not quite as easy without a cupcake corer though.. But hey, I am determined and I managed just fine although they probably weren’t as pretty under the frosting. I couldn’t let those cored-out insides go to waste so I ate most of them and instead, they went to “waist”.
I scolded myself. I ate one less cupcake. There! It all worked out in the end. Thank you again.
Deborah says
I totally love that oxo is giving money to such a great cause for this post. And I totally love these cupcakes!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Wonderful cupcakes for a wonderful cause!
Mary-Clay @ Cooking with the King says
De-lish! I’m loving your banana recipes lately. And such a good cause!
vanillasugarblog says
Yes, great cause!
Why did I not know about the cupcake corer?
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
Banana and chocolate is one of my fave combos!!! Love these cupcakes! I need to get my hands on an Oxo cupcake corer asap!
Christina says
What a great cause. That cupcake tool is awesome. I want one! Love these cupcakes, they look so moist and delicious.
Tahnycooks says
A post with an awesome purpose! I love that cupcake corer…I need. These look great and I love the flavor combo. Pinning for more than one reason!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
Banana and chocolate is always a winning combo! And I LOVE that you made these cupcakes with those two ingredients :) Two of my faves.
And Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is such a great cause. Love all the baking related events they sponsor!
Nikki @Seeded at the Table says
Love OXO and love the purpose of this post. (And to risk using the word “love” too much, I love these cupcakes!)
Javi Trulove @ T3treats says
wow what a fantastic tool, i never have done something like this before and the flavour combo must taste Amazing!
denise says
yum!
Great cause!