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Monkey Business

Banana Cupcakes

Check out the frosting on these banana cupcakes. Super smooth and creamy, cream cheese buttercream … so delicious and creamy. Did I mention creamy? I also used a little added yellow to tint the otherwise cream colored creamy cream cheese frosting … you know, just to enhance the senses. I’m tricky like that.

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

Banana Cupcakes

  • 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 large ripe banana (or almost 1 cup)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature

Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 box (1lb) of confectioner's sugar
  • Buttercup yellow icing color (optional)

Instructions

  1. Banana Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tray with 12 baking cups.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl with a wire whisk.
  3. Cream butter and sugar in a mixer for about four minutes. Add banana and mix until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  4. Add half the flour in three additions alternating with milk in two additions. Scrape down the sides with each addition.
  5. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until done.
  6. Crean Cheese Frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese in mixer until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla. Then add sugar in small batches until combined and creamy. Add a small amount of buttercup yellow icing color to frosting and mix.
Now you can eat them just like this or …

Confetti Cupcakes

Party them up a little bit with small pastel colored confetti sprinkles … just because it’s that kind of day.

But, these banana cupcakes need something else… something to keep them company.

A little friend maybe?

IMG_3315

Yes definitely.

But my little monkey needs a friend, too.

Cupcake Toppers

So this little piggy and teddy joined in on the fun.

Cupcake Toppers

And so did my favorite martian, robot and bumblebee.

My head is actually going to explode from all this cuteness.

Bumblebee Cupcake Topper

Could these be any more adorable? Look at that bumblebee bottom.

Cupcake Towers from Lollipop Workshop

Why yes, yes they can! These cupcake toppers are also candleholders. I’m officially in love here.

Cupcake Toppers from Lollipop Workshop

And it gets even better. They want to be your friends, too. Not these, they’re mine. All mine.

Cupcake Toppers

But these could be all yours.

When I bought these cutie pies from the Lollipop Workshop on etsy (also be cheery on flickr), I bought enough for two more sets. And I want two of you to have one. Well I want all of you to have them, but I only have two sets to give away. (Martian and Robot colors may vary from above.)

All you have to do to enter is give me some advice.

You see, Lollipop Workshop also sent me something else … A surprise … when she mailed the cupcake toppers.

I’m 10000000% certain it will be crazy cute!

From Lollipop Workshop

It’s in this box and I haven’t opened it yet.

Why?

Lollipop Workshop Goodies

Because she also sent this box for my little helper. So sneaky and sweet of her.

So the question is…
Should I wait until my niece visits again so we can open them together?
Should I rip open mine now and show you what’s inside?
Should I open both of them? I could re-wrap ’em and no one would be the wiser.
But I do like surprises. Hmmmm… tortured by sweetness.

Okay, so you know I’m really gonna wait, right.

But, I’m just curious – what would you do?

  • Leave your answer in the comment section below and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a set of assorted cupcake toppers from Lollipop Workshop.
  • Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
  • Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 18th at 5 p.m. TIME’S UP!
  • Two winners* will be picked at random and announced sometime Tuesday evening on this post.

*Winners will be chosen using the random.org integer generator.

Good Luck!

And, here’s some more cuteness from Lollipop Workshop. Custom cake toppers, lollidolls and candleholders. The store sells out quickly when she adds new products, so just send her a message if you need a custom order.

Okay, Time’s up and here are the two winners

#1619 – Elle
#831 – The Pettit Family

Congrats! You’re getting some super cute cupcake toppers!

Comments are closed.

3,524 comments on “Monkey Business”

  1. Hi Bakerella-
    Made these cupcakes two days ago for a party and they were a hit! Super easy to make and delicious!
    Thanks!

  2. Just thought I would tell you I tried this recipe out over the weekend and everyone at our sewing circle loved them! So tasty and a nice summery change from overly rich chocolate cupcakes. [Not that rich chocolate cupcakes are bad of course. Sometimes you just need some variety.]

    Thanks so much for sharing it with us. :-)

  3. I made the banana cupcakes a few days ago & they tasted great. At first I thought I should've added more banana but I didn't & they still tasted great. Very moist & made the house smell great. I recommend making them.

  4. Cute stuff Bakerella! The cute factor pretty much makes my day!!!!It'll be more exciting!!!!thanks


    Reenee
    You cannot go wrong on the best security systems

  5. So I just made a batch of bana cupcakes as a trial run for my son's monkey birthday party on Sunday and oh my goodness! They are fab-u-lous! Thank you! Thank you!

  6. Did anyone else make the cupcakes? i did – the smell of warm banana and vanilla is divine.

    Mine needed a good 30 minutes cooking time, and they feel moist and dense, yum yum. i shall do the icing (frosting) tonight and enjoy my children's delight at eating them tomorrow.

  7. Oh!!!
    Seems to be so goooood!
    Your pictures are so good too !

  8. Those are SO CUTE! If I don't win I might have to buy my own…it will be more fun for her if you're surprised!
    But it's quite clear that you're a better one…


    Reenee
    Are you scared to be alone at home need security

  9. I would wait…but it would be TORTURE!

  10. wait until your niece comes, she will be so fun to watch, especially when you are expectant as well!

  11. the anticipation of the surprise is almost as good as the surprise. You must wait!

  12. Definitely wait for your "little helper"! It will be so much more special :). Those are too cute! I love the candle holders!!

    ___________________
    Glovin
    Are you scared to be alone at home need security

  13. I think that just depends on how long it will be until your niece comes back!! Aww I guess you should wait for her :)

    I'm not a big fan of monkeys, but those banana cupcakes sound splendid!!

    Sues

  14. absolutely ADORABLE! :)
    Great site I really enjoy all the pictures!

  15. Awesome toppers :) I know you are super busy, but a little note for you over here: http://bakergirlcreations.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/a-pleasant-suprise/

  16. cant belive i missed that deadline! ugh! those are too cute~ and i would wait!

  17. yummmmmmm!!Great blog! Please check out my fashion and lifestyle blog at http://www.andeelayne.blogspot.com follow mine as i will yours! xo

  18. Hi Bakerella.. I have a question for you.. What do you do with all of your creations? Do you eat them all? Do you give them away? I really love baking but I can't seem to figure out what to do with all the leftovers after my serving.

  19. hi, id love to know what program you use for your photos thanks!!

    andrea
    andreaum_47@hotmail.com

  20. Awesome website!!! Love the photos and great information-thanks,Betty http://www.geothermalquestions.net

  21. Crazy amount of cuteness for one post. :)

  22. I think you should wait til your neice comes. Hopefully it's soon!

  23. I actually have a question…maybe I should ask later? But can you tell me why my cupcakes are always so coarse? I use the cake flour and the room-temp ingredients…and I'm at a loss. I can make them LOOK really pretty, but I want them to TASTE amazing, too! Thanks in advance. =)

  24. i think i'd love these

  25. you should wait for your niece. it'll be so much more fun that way :) those toppers are the cutest things ever!! i want them to decorate _my_ birthday cake

  26. I would wait!

    -christina
    pink_elliefunt@hotmai.com

  27. Oooppeenn it..open it….open it…..and then wrap it back again and act surprise ;)

    just kidding!!!

    Please be me, please be me, please be me ;)

    createdbyamommy@aol.com

  28. I would say open yours and save your nieces for her return!!

  29. save them. This is very much a do as I say, not as I would do comment :)

  30. Ohhhh my! These are so adorable :)

    And yes, I think you should wait & open together. It'll be triple exciting that way – the surprise, her delight, and the gift!

    Best of luck <3 Jessica
    jwang831@gmail.com

  31. Ok, I would LOVE to know what's in that package, but I'm a sucker for surprises so I would wait until I could open it with my little helper. Cute, cute, cute stuff!

    kelli_s1@yahoo.com

  32. I think you should wait! Let the suspense remian and keep you longing to discover the goodies inside!

    FYI: kaisercrew@comcast.net

  33. Wait and open them together :) Cant wait to see pictures.

    waakn@rogers.com

  34. oh of course wait! But i would be thinking everyday about what is in that box until I could rip it open!

  35. Well, it's probably too late to enter to win anyway, but yeah… I think you should wait for the little helper to come over… then you rip them open at once, and see what you were given!

    Kourtnee

    sarraphim@gmail.com

  36. Wait, even though I never can! How much fun will it be to be surprised together!

  37. Kids always love surprises and to their love ones reactions..so if I were you, I would wait until she comes to open it together!

  38. I would so peak and them re-wrap. Just like at Christmas. :)

    blythee@rocketjets.com

  39. I would wait! being the youngest in my family, I understand how important it is to feel special.

    michelle. moore92 gmail.com

  40. Oops forgot my addy. It's misla811@aol.com

  41. Wait for your neice! Is she coming to visit soon?!!

  42. I'm probably to late to have a chance to win, but I would wait to open the little gifts with your niece. I'm sure she will be thrilled.

  43. I would want to wait to open them with my niece, but my bad angel always kicks in at the most inopportune moments! So i would probably open them both and re-wrap them before she comes! That way if you need supplies to do whatever it is, you can do it with her right when you open them! perfection!

    nancyduncan_2008@yahoo.com

  44. Wow that is torture. I am so not a patient person. While I would wait to open them together, I would be shaking and studying it like a mad person trying to figure it out.

  45. wait until your neice arrives, then see who can rip open their package the fastest!

  46. just wait…. Is always good to share surprises with the people u love

  47. Well, I know if it were me, I'd open it.
    But I say you wait for your niece.
    That wrapping paper is adorable :)

  48. Just wait… it's good to share surprises with people u love…

  49. Oh, please wait for your niece! I bet she'd wait for you. :o)

  50. Ohhh I don't know, I guess you should wait and open them together, but make sure you have your camera ready! Can't wait to see what was inside!!

  51. My first reaction would be to rip them both open! But then I would actually end up waiting for that cute niece. :) dawn3111 at yahoo dot com.

  52. yes, I have to go with…wait and open together, (but if you open re-wrap and smile in surprise we'd all secretly be smiling)
    rmrobinson@hal-pc.org

  53. WAIT! she's cute. and so are the packages.

  54. It would be hard to wait, but I would…I'm sure it'll be worth it to see the excited look on your niece's face!

  55. I would definitely rip it open! I am incapable of leaving presents unopened!

    The grown-up in me says you should wait though!

    Enjoy!!!

    joelandsarah@shaw.ca

  56. Just to make you more comfortable in this world, you are not alone with the fetish for pretty packaging and miniature anything!

    So about pretty packaging…of course I want you to open it NOW.

    But, I know that when you tell your neice how long you waited to open these with her and the smile on her face when she discovers the cuteness inside…PRICELESS!

    And you can't re-wrap pricelessness! (Is that a word? It is now!)

    ~Cupcake

    (that's my husband's nickname for me btw ;)

  57. I would love to say open and re-wrap… Actually I can almost be positive that is what I would do but I know my niece would not be so happy with Auntie TT if I was to do that so I say, hold off and wait for a visit. Then you can save your guilt quotta for eating sweets!

  58. Anticipation is half the fun! Wait for your neice and share the fun!
    hismissie@comcast.net

  59. Oh what torture! I would wait, but I would think about it every second of the day until the happy moment arrived.

  60. mmm.. you should wait for your little helper hehe its more fun if you both open them together.

    andreaum_47@hotmail.com

    andrea

  61. I can never wait!! I'd rip it open but if you want to wait for your niece have someone in your house hide them until then!

  62. I really, really, wouldn't want to wait, but I think I would. I think. I'd have to hide it in a closet though to resist the temptation to peek.

    kamicollin at gmail dot com

  63. rip open mine now and show you what's inside

    jackie_d302@yahoo.com

  64. I would have to unwrathen wrap them back up and open them together. I couldn't wait!

  65. I would wait for your niece to open them together. As funs as opening a surprise is, its tripled by having it reflected by someone elses enjoyment! It will be like Christmas!

  66. I say… wait for your little helper! I know that you are probably anxious and wanting to rip right into those gifts… but I think the anticipation will most definitely be worth it in the end! That way, the both of you can enjoy the surprise! Can't wait to see!

  67. I think you should wait until your lil helpers arrive!

  68. Definitely wait for your niece to open them with you! There's nothing better than a surprise, especially one you have to unwrap!! :)

  69. I love surprises, but I am a bit sneaky too…I'd say shake em around a bit and make a guess. Then wait until your niece arrives! :)

    Cassie
    cassie@itenney.com

  70. OPEN IT! (Unless your niece reads your blog.) I just wanted to rock the boat a bit. There's a little too much niceness here. But be very careful with the tape. I recommend an exacto.

  71. I would have a really hard time waiting but I would in the end wait!! I can't wait to see all the cuteness!!

  72. wait for your niece! she will be very excited and will make it more fun!
    donna.eckstein@gmail.com

  73. i would wait too! way more fun to look together!:)

  74. I vote for waiting until your niece comes to visit…it will be fun the share something special with her!

  75. WAIT! It will be fun for both of You! I love a surprise!
    hsturner91@embarqmail.com

  76. You should wait and open them together. Anticipation is good and your little helper will be so happy that you waited for her! What a fun posting, love the cupcakes and the toppers, would love a set of my own for family!

  77. You have to wait! It will make it so much more fun!

  78. Bakerella…
    Girl..I think you should rip them right open!! The suspense would kill me!! Go for it..enjoy your surprise!! And no matter what, when your niece gets there she will be surprised!!
    Stefani
    Steferz123@me.com

  79. I would probably wait on opening both gifts…but it would be difficult! Those cake toppers are ADORABLE!

  80. I would find it EXTREMELY hard to wait, but I would, in the end, wait and open it with little helper :) Opening presents with kids is so much fun!!

  81. I also LOVE surprises and the suspense. I think it would be the most fun to wait and open the gifts with your precious niece.

  82. What would I do?? I cannot stand waiting so I would have to rip into 'em. And then be sad the surprise was over so fast.

    -Stacey

  83. I also LOVE surprises and the suspense. I think it would be the most fun to wait and open the gifts with your precious niece.

  84. I would not have lasted this long … I would have opened the one for sure .. if noth both. Open them already – the suspense is killing me and they aren't even mine!!
    Carol chacker60@gmail.com

  85. Okay, I now have a new favorite Etsy shop. Those are so cute!!!

    I think the nice answer is you should wait and open them together. Honestly, if it were me, though, I would probably cheat and open mine. Then, if I felt really really guilty I'd re-wrap it. :)

  86. Absolutely wait. Then the two of you can plot the best, cutest way to use the gift.

    ledhorses@gmail.com

  87. I think you should definitely invite me over to open the gifts, so at least you can say you didn't do it :)

  88. I just made these cupcakes……HOLY CRAP THEY'RE GOOD!!!! I was only able to get 10 cupcakes cause I ate so much of the batter (wooooops). Thanks for another delicious recipe and this is just me, but, I have no patience and am a far too curious person….i'd have to peek and then rewrap the present! If you can wait, kudos to you! GOOD LUCK!!!

    laurascow@hotmail.com

  89. As hard as it will be, I think you should wait for your niece…
    Iris
    ibrooks@cox.net

  90. Personally I would open them! But you seem much more patient then I am so I guess go ahead and wait. :)
    Kelly
    kellycordova@gmail.com

  91. although i can never wait to open presents, since it's a dual gift for you and your niece, i'd say wait for her to visit–but maybe encourage her to visit sooner rather than later :)

    eloise_violet (at) yahoo.com

  92. I think you should wait. I don't think your Little Helper will be any less ecstatic to receive her present if you've already opened yours, but why not be ecstatic together. Plus I'm sure the wait will only make it better. Imagine what it could be. :)

  93. Definately open them together….that way it's double the pleasure.
    louanschmidt@me.com

  94. Definitely wait for your neice. What joy you will both receive that way.

  95. I think you should wait and open them with your niece! Share the surprise! :D

    snow.bubbletea(at)gmail.com

  96. Definitely wait, althoughI would probably try to have a peek inside somehow

  97. I would wait until your niece comes! She will love it!

    Laurie in Minnesota
    lvarley@iw.net

  98. I'd have to wait. Guilt would kill me before curiosity.

    Also, thank you so much Bakerella for responding to my e-mail about the cake pops!!! Your advice has been taken into consideration adn hopefully I will be able to get all 50 done for next Saturday!

  99. While I think that you should wait, and that it would be the right thing to do, it would oh so very hard. But totally worth it when you see the look on your niece's face!

  100. Yeah, u better wait!

    centergrovetire@yajoo.com

  101. I'm on the Wait train. Surprises are fun when shared, especially with nieces.

  102. I probably would wait but I would check on them like 50 times a day just to make sure that I didn't want to open them that very minute!

    samjuliebeus{at}gmail.com

  103. Wait to open them together — while I'm certain you won't be let down, regardless if you are or aren't you'll be satisfied in knowing both that you were able to resist and that you two got to experience the surprise together. Plus, you also won't have to put on a fake act of pretending you didn't open them in case you were considering rewrapping. :)

    thechicagoseven@gmail.com

  104. If it was me…I would wait. If it was my mom, she would open it and then call my niece to tell her what it is.

  105. Wait for your helper – it will be worth it!!

  106. I'd probably decide to wait and then peak at my helper's to make sure it would be appropriate and re-wrap.
    mama.laughead@gmail.com

  107. Wait for her. It will make it better for you both.

  108. You should open them together! That way she knows how special she is, that you waited to open it with her!
    Sherri
    sherrikandjosh@gmail.com

  109. Obviously, the most adult thing to do would be to wait, but some of us are just not that mature. I have a really hard time with patience, especially when it comes to surprizes. As much as I would like to think that I might handle this like a good auntie, my instinct tells me that I might opt for the trickery of rewrapping.
    Kate
    kmfeyen@gmail.com

  110. HThe suspence will make it that much better for both of you. You should wait for her.

  111. Since you are the #1 most fun aunt on this planet:) . . . you and your cute little niece have to open these gifts together!!

  112. Ummm I say wait until ur niece visits ;)

  113. Wait. She will enjoy it!

  114. I would definitely OPEN IT!

    julielmorrow@hotmail.com

  115. Yep, wait for your niece.

    Beth

    beachmom25@yahoo.com

  116. I would totally open them both and re wrap them before she came back over. I can't wait!!!!!
    But I fully agree that waiting is the best choice but I am so excited!! When is she coming?????

  117. Wait for sure!! It will be more special to have your niece there with you!
    kgreen3711@aol.com

  118. I would have trouble doing it, but I think you should wait! So cute!

  119. Together would be great…but If it were me..who knows I can't wait so I would probably open mine…look in it then wrap it back up. Also make sure to post pictures so we all can see what is in them. Cupcake toppers are so cute.

  120. I'd leave it until she comes round. Then you can act like a big kid on christmas day! Hope it's something really good! :D

    megsmaw06@yahoo.co.uk

  121. I would want to open them both right up but know my guilt would get to me and I could never, so I'd be stuck waiting. Good luck with the wait!

  122. I would wait until your niece comes again and then the two of you can share the surprise together! If you can't wait, call her up and invite her to come sooner!

  123. Oh, you should wait to open it with your neice. She'll be tickled to open the surprise with you. Then be sure to let us know what's in the boxes!