Monkey Madness with Whipped Frosting Delight!

I had some old bananas so I decided to put them to good use. 
This creation is on the less sweet side but is still absolutely delicious with or without frosting!! 

What do you need? 
Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp of vanilla
• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 buttermilk
• 1 cup of chocolate chips 
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• Banana chips (optional)

Directions

Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix butter and both sugars until fluffy
3. Beat in bananas, eggs and vanilla 
4. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and buttermilk
5. Beat until blended
6. Add in chocolate chips, cinnamon, and walnuts
7. Add to greased or paper lined muffin tin
8. Bake for 20-22 minutes.
9. Allow to cool.

Frosting

I wanted a frosting that wasn't too sweet so it wouldn't overpower the cupcake. For the frosting, I used this lovely ladies recipe. She does a great job at showing how to do it so go to her site for this not so sweet whipped frosting. 

http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2010/12/28/the-best-whipped-frosting/

After frosting the cupcakes, add crushed cinnamon chips to the top of the frosting. Add a banana chip in the center if desired. 

Enjoy!

Idea found at http://www.food.com/recipe/chunky-monkey-cupcakes-61627

Santa Hat Brownie

It's not a cupcake but it's just as good as one so I thought it would be okay to make an exception! 

What do you need? 

• Brownie Mix (I used a caramel brownie mix, I definitely recommend it)
• One container of strawberries
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 stick of butter, room temperature
• 2 tsp. vanilla 
• Pinch of Salt
• 8 oz of mascarpone cheese, room temperature 
• Round cookie cutter

Directions

1. Make brownies directed as on back of box.
2. While brownies are cooking/cooling, hull and cut strawberries tops flat in order for them to sit straight on brownie.

    Frosting

          3. Beat butter and mascarpone together until fluffy.

          4. Add vanilla and salt

          5. Mix in powdered sugar in slowly until frosting is at desired consistency. Add to piping bag and set aside.

          6. Once brownies are cool, use round cookie cutter to cut.

        7. Place frosting in strawberry and place on top of brownie.

           8. Pipe frosting around base of strawberry.

           9. Add a dab of frosting on top of the strawberry!

          10. ENJOY!

Idea found at:http://daisysworld.net/2011/12/04/santa-hat-brownies/