Banana cupcakes with peanut butter cream cheese frosting…and some socks, too

I really need to stop watching Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. It gives a person all kinds of delicious ideas. Like these banana cupcakes with peanut butter cream cheese frosting. This recipe is fantastic and is definitely a new favourite. I brought these to a party and they were a success with everyone. The frosting was particularly nice, not too sweet, not too much peanut butter…just a creamy beautiful frosting.

I learned from Cupcakes Wars that you can remove a small plug of cake from a cupcake using an apple corer, and add a filling of your choosing. For these cupcakes I made a simple chocolate ganache (I used one part heavy cream to two parts semi sweet chocolate). The result was surprisingly light and fluffy and not as heavy as I anticipated.

I have done a bit of knitting, too. I completed these Avivah socks a few days ago. The pattern is from the latest Twist Collective and I used some Fleece Artist BFL sock yarn. It is my second pair of socks using the Fleece Artist BFL and I must say, I love knitting with it.

Do you cupcake?

I do. I find at a party, cupcakes are great. No need to cut pieces up for everyone…no forks required – at least in this house. The recipe I make the most frequently are the famous/infamous Magnolia cupcakes of NY City fame – the vanilla/vanilla offering. Very unlike me, but it does make the perfect party cupcake. A real crowd pleaser. There is also a recipe for the vanilla buttercream. Please do use the unsalted butter. It makes a huge difference.

I know, I know. The cupcake thing was very trendy 4 and 5 years ago, less so now…but please. I deplore dessert trendiness in so much as these wonderful desserts do not deserve to be cast aside! Remember the Tiramisu trendiness of the 90s? Gosh, that still burns me up…tiramisu did not deserve that. But I digress….any half rate baker can whip these up. Add a pastry bag and tip and you’re in cupcake heaven! I personally can’t stand sprinkles, but they do look pretty… I would also highly recommend Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes…yum!