Banana Cupcakes

Topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting, these fluffy Banana Cupcakes are simply irresistible in every way.

When I’m looking for a simple, sweet, yet subtle treat, these Banana Cupcakes are the perfect solution. They’re more dessert-like than our Banana Muffins and not as dense as Banana Bread, but they still have that delicious banana flavor everyone loves!

a unique cupcake recipe

Cupcakes are always a favorite at our house, and these Easy Banana Cupcakes are both unique, delicious, and simply the BEST I’ve ever tried.

These cupcakes are so fluffy, light, and airy! They have a great banana flavor without being dense like Banana Bread, or dry like cupcakes can sometimes be.

The cinnamon cream cheese frosting is rich and velvety smooth. It goes perfectly with the cake crumb and the flavors complement each other well.

Since we love bananas, you better believe we’re baking with them all the time, especially when we have over-ripe bananas.

How to make Banana Cupcakes

These cupcakes take a little bit of time, especially when beating the egg whites, but they’re so good it’s worth it!

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two muffin tins by lining them with paper liners.

EGG WHITES. Separate the eggs and beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then set aside.

WET INGREDIENTS. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the mashed bananas, egg yolks, and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Gently fold in ⅓ of the egg white mixture.

DRY INGREDIENTS. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

COMBINE. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites.

BAKE. Fill paper baking cups half full and bake 11-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove and let cool completely.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

BEAT. Beat together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar slowly and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and cinnamon.

If necessary, add more powdered sugar until the frosting is firm enough to hold its shape but still light and fluffy. Frost the cooled cupcakes and enjoy!

Frosting. Pipe the frosting on using an actual piping bag and tip, or cut a corner off a Ziploc bag and use it as a piping bag. Of course, spreading it on with a knife works just fine, too.

Recipe Tips

Room temperature. Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature. This will ensure they mix well.

Stiff peaks. When whipping the egg whites you want to reach the “stiff peaks” stage. As they thicken, lift the whisk out of the whites. A peak should form.

• If the peak melts back into the whites, keep whipping it.
• If the peak holds its shape, it is ready to use. 

Keep cupcakes from sticking to the liners. Purchasing a high-quality non-stick liner will help keep the cupcake from peeling off along with the liner or use reusable silicone liners. 

Avoid sticky tops. Sticky tops can form on unfrosted cupcakes when there is too much moisture in the storage container.

Reduce this by cooling them completely on a wire rack before storing them or placing a paper towel in the container to help absorb any extra moisture.

Ingredient Tips

How to ripen bananas quickly. This recipe requires ripened bananas. Ripen bananas quickly by placing them in a brown paper bag along with an apple. Store it on the counter.

To ripen even faster, bake them.

• Preheat the oven to 300°F.
• Line a baking pan with parchment paper and place the bananas, peel on, on the sheet.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes. The peel will turn black and the bananas will become soft to the touch.

Cake flour. Cake flour produces a silky crumb. If you don’t have cake flour use all-purpose flour in the recipe or make your own cake flour.

Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into a 1-cup measuring cup. Fill it the rest of the way up with all-purpose flour. Level the top. Dump the contents of the measuring cup into a bowl and use a whisk to sift them together. 

Variations

Garnish. Leave the garnish off, or add a fresh banana slice (right before serving, so they don’t get brown), banana chips (dried bananas), or chopped nuts.

Additions. These are amazing just as they are, but to switch it up, add ¾ cup of chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips to the batter.

Mini cupcakes. Use this recipe to make mini Banana Cupcakes. Use a mini cupcake tin and mini cupcake liners. Reduce the bake time to 8-11 minutes. 

Storing Info

STORE. Frosted Banana Bread Cupcakes can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They taste even better after the flavors meld together!

FREEZE. Banana Cupcakes are great for freezing, as long as they have not been frosted!

Cool completely and put them in an airtight container or freezer storage bag for a couple of months. When you’re ready to use them, thaw in the fridge overnight. Frost them once they have thawed.

The frosting can be stored in a separate container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before using.

Recipe FAQ

For more banana recipes:

• Frosted Banana Bars
• BEST Banana Bread recipe
• Banana Crumb Muffins
• Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread
• Banana Pudding Cheesecake
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Be sure to go to The Baker Upstairs for more great recipes from Alicia.