Sometimes no matter how good you are, you just can’t win them all. Do you remember the cupcake contest I won last year? I entered it again this year. Except I didn’t win. As bummed as I am for not being able to keep the title, I’m still proud of these Roasted Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Ganache Frosting. Bananas, chocolate, and peanut butter – a classic trio that combines to make a simply creative dessert.
I wanted to go simple this year. I thought about doing a filling, but let’s be honest – when you make cupcakes for a group or when you order a cupcake from a bakery, most of them don’t have a filling. I wanted the cupcake and the frosting to shine without the filling masking the flavors. Plus the recipe would have been printed in the newspaper for home bakers to make. If there’s one thing I learned about recipe development – the simpler, the better.
Just because these banana cupcakes are simple to create doesn’t mean they are simple in flavor. Roasting the bananas caramelizes them and brings out a deeper banana flavor. Adding cinnamon and clove spices up the flavor factor too.
And the frosting? Oh man, that frosting! I’m pretty sure my frosting deserves to win its own category. The peanut butter ganache frosting is silky, smooth, and rich – everything that a frosting should be. Because the frosting based on ganache, the frosting will harden as it chills. If it becomes to warm, just chill in the fridge for a bit.
Maybe going simple wasn’t the best strategy for winning a contest, but I have no regrets. Sure, I think about what if I added a filling or what if I added a drizzle or garnish on top? But that wasn’t my goal for this recipe. And if the judges don’t appreciate a simply creative cupcake, I know my readers will.
Roasted Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Ganache Frosting
Roasted Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Ganache Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas, ripened (but not overripen)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. When hot, place both bananas on a cookie sheet and roast for 15 minutes or until the skins turn black. Let cool before handling. Peel the bananas then mash.
- Leave the oven on at 350F. Line two cupcake pans with 18 paper liners. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, clove, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and oil until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until smooth.
- Beat in the vanilla and banana. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.
- Fill the cupcake liners about halfway full with the batter. Bake 18-20 minutes or until the cupcakes are brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Let cool completely.
For the frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the chocolate pieces and peanut butter. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, heat up the cream and corn syrup until just boiling. Turn off the heat and pour on top of the chocolate. Let sit a few minutes then whisk the chocolate mixture until smooth. Let cool completely.
- Once cool, gradually beat the butter into the chocolate mixture, a tablespoon at a time, until smooth and shiny. Pipe on top of cupcakes.*
Notes
*If the frosting is too warm, chill in the refrigerator until firm enough. Ganache is designed to harden as it cools.
Source: Adapted from 125 Best Cupcake Recipes
If you liked these Roasted Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Ganache Frosting, then you may also like these recipes:
From me:
- Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Frosting
- Mini Layered Guinness Cake with Irish Cream Ganache Frosting
- Banana Mango Yogurt Smoothie
From other bloggers:
tanya says
These are simple, but they sound decadent! I think the frosting sounds extraordinary! Great cupcake Carla!
Miranda says
These look freaking delish!
Heather says
Roasted bananas? Sounds amazing!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Oh wow roasted bananas AND peanut butter? Sign me up.
[email protected] says
They are a winner in book Carla, they look absolutely amazing!!!
Laura Dembowski says
These cupcakes look outstanding. Pb and bananas go so well together. Good luck in the contest!
Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction says
Carla,
Gorgeous cupcakes. The judges definitely made a mistake by choosing a different one.
Annamaria
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Love all the flavors together. And roasting the bananas is such a fabulous idea!!
Didi says
Carla, I can see why you won a contest with these cupcakes…
I literally drooled reading your intro!! Will share on my FB page!! ♥
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen says
These look like such delicious cupcakes! I love that the bananas are roasted and your frosting looks sublime!
Liz says
These sound amazing Carla! Will have to try for sure!
Medeja says
This is really interesting banana cupcake recipe. And they look oh so good :)
[email protected] & Trinkets says
I don’t know what those judges were smoking, but these cupcakes should win everything ever.
[email protected] says
You bet I appreciate a simple recipe, made with ingredients I frequently have on hand (but prepared in a different–yet still easy–way) and photographed beautifully!
I’ve never roasted bananas before, and now I want to try.
Thanks!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
If I’d been a judge you wouldve won because OHMYGAWDDDDD THESE CUPCAKES!!!!
JennieJennie @themessybakerblog says
I’m so sorry to hearthat you didn’t win, but, wow, do these bad boys look good. I can’t wait to make them. Hmm, I am looking for something to make for Mother’s Day. Yup, I think this is it!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
No question these cupcakes are a winner, Carla, regardless of what those judges say! I love that you roasted the bananas first and banana, peanut butter and chocolate will forever be a killer combo. I could probably eat your peanut butter ganache frosting on its own, that’s how good it looks. I’m glad you went simple because you’re right, sometimes we just want a delicious cupcake that we don’t need to spent two days making with every piece of equipment in our kitchens. Love this!
Vicki @ WITK says
These look amazing! I love that you caramelized the bananas, it sounds delicious :)
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig says
Roasting bananas takes them to a whole new level. These sound amazing and are winners to me!!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
I’m sort of dumbfounded that you didn’t win, because WOW! these look delicious!
Jenny says
I made these this evening, and they’re delicious. I’ve never made a cupcake from scratch, and these were moist and the frosting was perfect.
Carla says
Good choice for your first from-scratch cupcake ;) Glad you enjoyed them!
Brenda Milcetic says
Hi Carla,
Can this recipe be halved?
Thank you,
Brenda
Carla says
Yes