Banana Muffins before the yummy frosting
with frosting...............Can you guess what secret ingredient is in the frosting?
Molasses! Not something that I would use, but the recipe called for it so I thought why not. I kinda like it. The recipe called for 2 tbls. but I only used 1 just in case. Here is the recipe. I got it from the Food Network courtesy of The Neelys:
Batter:
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 sticks butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
4 rip bananas, peeled and mashed
1 cup chopped pecans
In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl, add butter and sugar. Beat until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla. Slowly beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Gradually to this add the dry ingredients. Then by hand gradually stir in the bananas and nuts. Be sure not to over mix. Using an ice cream scoop fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full. Bake in 350 oven for 20 min. Remove and let cool before frosting.
(Before I bake I like to sprinkle on raw sugar to add a crunch to the top of the cupcake. Picture below)
Frosting:
2 tbls. whole milk
1 12/ tsp vanilla
2 tbls. butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tbls. molasses
3 cups powdered sugar
In large bowl, add the butter and cream cheese. Beat together until incorporated. Add the molasses and mix well. Then add the milk, vanilla and sugar.
Heavily frost the cupcakes and garnish with extra chopped nuts if desired.
The picture below is the sugar I use on almost all pound cakes, cakes, cupcakes, some cookies whatever you think would work to make a crunchy top. It is raw sugar! Like they use at coffee houses. The other ingredient that I use all the time is Vanilla PASTE. I think it is stronger and just adds a little something to frostings or anything that calls for regular vanilla extract. I will tell you it is more expensive but well worth it, especially if you are taking the time to bake these wonderful goodies.
You can buy the Vanilla Paste at Williams Sonoma or any specialty food/gourmet store. You will love this..........I promise. Sorry again for the blurry pictures......One of these days I am going to have no glare, no blur and no bad photos.