Banana Cupcakes With Chocolate Sauce

Why You'll Love My Banana Cupcakes

You'll love this recipe because it transforms simple, often overlooked ingredients into an irresistible dessert. The moist and flavorful cake base, made with overripe bananas, provides a perfect canvas for the rich chocolate sauce and the light, crunchy meringue garnish. It's this combination of textures and flavors that makes each bite satisfying and complex.

More Banana Goodness

I love baking with overripe bananas! I've made some tasty treats like Chocolate Banana Cake, Cheesecake Stuffed Banana Loaf and and my super simple Banana Bread that I am sure you will love!  

Ingredients In Banana Cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes:

• Softened Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cupcakes, contributing to their tender crumb. It also helps in creaming together with sugar to incorporate air into the batter, making the cupcakes light.
• Brown Sugar: Imparts a deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the cupcakes, complementing the bananas' natural sugars.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent, providing structure to the cupcakes. Eggs also help in creating a light and airy texture.
• Over-ripe Mashed Bananas: The star ingredient, overripe bananas bring natural sweetness, moisture, and distinct banana flavor to the cupcakes.
• Self-Raising Flour: This is a pre-mixed combination of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, used to give the cupcakes their rise and structure.
• Sour Cream or Yogurt: Both add tanginess, enrich the batter, and contribute to the cupcakes' moistness. They also help to activate the baking powder, aiding in the rise.
• Milk: Thins the batter to the right consistency and contributes to the overall moistness of the banana cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Buttercream

My No-Grit Cream Cheese Buttercream is the perfect choice for these delicious Banana Cupcakes.

Chocolate Sauce and Garnish:

• Dark Chocolate Melts and Heavy Cream: Combine to create a rich, smooth chocolate sauce.
• Crushed Meringue: Adds a light, crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the moistness of the cupcake and the smoothness of the chocolate sauce.

Is there a substitute for Self-Rising Flour?

If you don't have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own using all-purpose flour and baking powder. For each cup of self-rising flour required, you can substitute with:

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5g) baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25g) salt

Given the recipe calls for 2 ½ cups of self-raising flour, you'd need:

• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 3 ¾ teaspoons (18.75g) baking powder
• ⅝ teaspoon (3.125g) salt

This mixture will mimic the leavening and texture effects of self-rising flour, ensuring your cupcakes rise beautifully and have a beautiful texture.

How To Make My Banana Cupcakes

Preparation

Start by preheating your oven to the required temperature and prepare your cupcake or muffin tray by greasing it or lining it with baking cups. This step ensures that your cupcakes will release easily after they are baked.

Mash Bananas

Peel and mash the overripe bananas until they're smooth. Using overripe bananas is key because they are easier to mash and sweeter, adding natural moisture and flavor to the cupcakes.

Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar with a hand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, contributing to the lightness of the cupcakes.

Add Eggs

Add the eggs to the mixture one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This ensures they are well incorporated, adding structure and richness to the batter.

Mix in Bananas and Dairy

Stir in the mashed bananas until just combined, followed by the sour cream or yogurt, and then the milk. These ingredients are essential for adding moisture and fat, which contribute to the tender texture of the cupcakes.

Incorporate Flour

Gently fold in the self-raising flour with a spatula until just combined, taking care not to overmix to avoid the cupcakes becoming tough.

Fill the Tray and Bake

Evenly distribute the batter among the prepared cupcake cups and bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean, indicating they are done.

Cool the Cupcakes

Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Proper cooling is essential for the texture and to prevent the cupcakes from becoming soggy.

Make Chocolate Sauce

Prepare the chocolate sauce by melting chocolate and heavy cream together until smooth. This rich sauce will be used to drizzle over the cupcakes.

Decorate

Once cooled, decorate the cupcakes with frosting, drizzle them with the chocolate sauce, and sprinkle crushed meringue on top for a contrasting texture.

Serve

The cupcakes are now ready to be enjoyed. The combination of moist banana cake, rich chocolate sauce, and light, crunchy meringue creates a deliciously balanced dessert.

My Top Tip

The most important tip for this Banana Cupcakes recipe is to not overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing the batter can lead to the development of gluten, which would make the cupcakes tough and dense rather than light and fluffy.

When incorporating the flour, fold it gently into the wet ingredients using a spatula just until the flour is moistened and no dry streaks remain. This ensures that the cupcakes will have a tender crumb and rise properly, capturing the perfect texture that makes them so delightful. Remember, a few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and will not affect the final outcome negatively.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions to enhance the experience and presentation of your Banana Cupcakes:

Ice Cream Side: For an indulgent dessert, serve these cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold, creamy texture of the ice cream complements the moist cupcakes and the rich chocolate sauce, creating a decadent treat.

Fresh Fruit: Serve the cupcakes with fresh berries or sliced bananas. The acidity and freshness of the fruit cut through the richness of the cupcakes, adding a refreshing contrast and a beautiful pop of color to your dessert plate.

Whipped Cream: A dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream on top of or beside the cupcakes can add an extra layer of texture and creaminess, making them even more irresistible.

Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans on top for added texture and a nutty flavor that pairs well with bananas and chocolate.

Dessert Buffet: Include these cupcakes in a dessert buffet featuring a variety of small, bite-sized treats. They'll stand out for their unique flavor and presentation, offering a delightful option among other desserts.

Miniature Versions: Consider making miniature cupcakes for a lighter serving option. They're perfect for parties where guests can sample a variety of treats without committing to a full-sized cupcake.

More Banana Recipes - Video Tutorials

• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Cheesecake Stuffed Banana Bread
• Banoffee Dessert Cups