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–+ servings
Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting topped with a banana chip

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat your oven for the ultimate easy recipe for extra-moist and fluffy Banana Cupcakes topped with tangy cream cheese frosting.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings 30 cupcakes

Ingredients  

FOR THE CUPCAKES:

  • 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temp
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

FOR THE FROSTING:

  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, chilled
  • 11 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temp
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Dried banana chips, for decorating (optional)

Instructions 

MAKE THE CUPCAKES:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two muffins pans with paper cups.
  • In a small bowl, combine the mashed bananas with the lemon juice. Set aside.
  • In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition.
  • Beat in the vanilla extract.
  • Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk.
  • Fold in the mashed bananas then portion out the batter into the muffin cups so that they are 3/4 full. (This recipe yields about 30 cupcakes.)
  • Bake the cupcakes for 18 to 22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Remove the cupcakes from the oven and set them aside to cool while you make the frosting.

MAKE THE FROSTING:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add the butter and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Sift the confectioners’ sugar into the bowl, then add the vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Slather the frosting atop the completely cooled cupcakes and top with dried banana chips (optional). (See Kelly's Note.)

Kelly's Note:

  • If you prefer to pipe the frosting, chill it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes before transferring it to a piping bag or sealed plastic bag fitted with your choice of piping tip.