Banana Cupcakes with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting (from Kat)

Kat says: We had some bananas that needed using, and I didn’t want to make just regular banana bread. These are my new go-to for ripe bananas! The cupcakes are not as dense as banana bread, but still moist. The frosting is what totally makes these babies. Honey and cinnamon? Why haven’t I thought of this before? I guess that’s why I’m not making the big bucks Martha is. Martha’s frosting called for all butter – I used half butter, half cream cheese. I think next time I’ll do all cream cheese, because that would make it just that much richer and finger-lickin’ good.Banana Cupcakes with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting
Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp 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 tsp vanilla extract
Mini chocolate chips, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin pan with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Make a well in center of flour mixture. In well, mix together butter, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla [and mini-chocolate chips, if you’re so inclined. I always add chocolate chips to banana bread, because I’m that kind of gal, and the mini ones just seem to work better for me – better chocolate distribution.]. Stir to incorporate flour mixture (do not over mix). Spoon batter into muffin cups.

4. 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 Honey-Cinnamon Frosting. If desired, just before serving, peel and slice banana into rounds, and place one on each cupcake. Makes 18 cupcakes.

Honey-Cinnamon Frosting
1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar - SIFTED
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature OR 1/2 cup cream cheese
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter or cream cheese until soft. Add powdered sugar, honey and cinnamon and beat until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart, Everyday Food March 2008