If you’re a fan of the delightful combination of bananas and caramel, get ready to be swept off your feet by these irresistible banana caramel cupcakes. Moist and fluffy banana-infused cupcakes, generously filled with a luscious homemade banana caramel, and crowned with a heavenly banana caramel frosting, these treats are a true indulgence for your taste buds.
With a surprise caramel center that adds a delightful twist to every bite, these banana caramel cupcakes are a perfect way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter. The updated frosting recipe, featuring a blend of caramel and banana flavors, takes these cupcakes to a whole new level of deliciousness. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these cupcakes are a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth craving a decadent treat.
Ingredients
Banana Cupcakes
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar (divided)
- 5 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
- 6 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
Caramel Frosting
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 4 tablespoons water
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- Banana slices
- Toffee bits
Equipment Needed
To prepare these delightful banana caramel cupcakes, you will need the following equipment:
- Cupcake pan
- Cupcake liners
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Piping bags
- Large round piping tip
- Large star piping tip
- Apple corer or large piping tip (optional)
- Squeeze bottle or spoon for filling cupcakes
- Small offset spatula
- Banana chips and toffee bits for garnish
Preparation
To ensure these banana caramel cupcakes turn out perfectly, follow these simple preparation steps.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans
- Preheat your oven to the specified temperature as per the recipe instructions to ensure even baking.
- Line your cupcake pans with paper liners to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Measure out all ingredients meticulously beforehand to streamline the baking process.
- Ensure the bananas are ripe and mashed to incorporate their sweet flavor into the cupcakes.
Instructions
Let’s get baking these delightful banana caramel cupcakes! Follow the steps below to create a decadent treat that will satisfy all your sweet cravings.
Making the Banana Cupcakes
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
- In another bowl, cream together unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in the bourbon (if using), vanilla extract, eggs, and mashed ripe bananas. Mix until well combined.
- Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
- Fill cupcake liners ¾ full with the batter.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 14-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium-low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Increase heat to high and avoid stirring. Swirl the pan occasionally until the mixture turns a dark reddish brown color.
- Remove from heat and quickly add butter and heavy cream. Whisk until smooth and transfer to a bowl to cool.
- In a mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter until creamy. Add salt, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and salted caramel sauce. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Optional: Core the center of each cupcake and fill with caramel sauce before frosting.
- Pipe the caramel frosting onto cooled cupcakes, starting from the center and working outwards.
- Decorate with toffee bits, banana slices, and an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Chill cupcakes for 20 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set. Enjoy these indulgent salted caramel banana cupcakes!
Assembly
Assembling these delectable banana caramel cupcakes is the final step to creating a treat that will delight your taste buds. Follow these steps to frost the cupcakes and add the perfect finishing touches.
Frosting the Cupcakes
- Optional Step: Core the center of each cupcake to create space for the caramel filling.
- Fill the cupcakes with the remaining caramel sauce using a spoon or piping bag.
- Prepare two piping bags, one with a large round tip and the other with a large star tip, both filled with the caramel cream cheese frosting.
- Use the large round tip to pipe a generous layer of frosting on each cupcake, starting from the center outward.
- Smooth the frosting with a small offset spatula and roll the edges in toffee bits for added crunch.
- Use the piping bag with the star tip to create a decorative swirl of frosting on top of each cupcake.
- Drizzle more caramel sauce over the cupcakes, garnish with banana slices, and your banana caramel cupcakes are ready to be enjoyed!
Storing and Serving Tips
After creating these delectable banana caramel cupcakes, you’ll want to ensure they are stored and served in the best way possible for maximum enjoyment. Here are some tips to guide you:
Storing Tips:
- Room Temperature: If you plan to consume the cupcakes within 1-2 days, storing them at room temperature in an airtight container will keep them fresh.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the cupcakes in an airtight container, but bring them to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and bring them to room temperature before frosting and serving.
- Chilled Frosting: Before serving, allow the frosted cupcakes to chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilled frosting sets nicely and enhances the overall taste.
- Garnishing: Just before serving, top your cupcakes with fresh banana slices and a drizzle of extra caramel sauce for a stunning presentation and extra burst of flavor.
- Enjoy Fresh: For the best taste and texture, serve the cupcakes fresh. The combination of the moist banana cupcakes and creamy caramel frosting is irresistible when freshly made.
By following these storing and serving tips, you’ll be able to savor every bite of these delightful salted caramel banana cupcakes.
Conclusion
I’ve shared a delectable recipe for banana caramel cupcakes that are sure to impress. From the surprise caramel center to the banana caramel frosting, these cupcakes are a delightful treat for any occasion. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create these irresistible cupcakes with ease. Don’t forget the finishing touches of toffee bits, banana slices, and extra caramel sauce for that perfect presentation. Remember the storage tips to keep your cupcakes fresh and delicious for longer. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them as a sweet indulgence, these salted caramel banana cupcakes are bound to be a hit. Treat yourself and your loved ones to these mouthwatering treats and savor every bite!