Banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon icing are like the best banana bread ever but with icing!
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I'm going to let you in on a little secret... these cupcakes are a-ma-zing.
I wrote this post first back in 2013. I could edit the story but, I like the little messages from past Claire so enjoy the story (or skip down to the recipe!).
It's a secret because these banana cupcakes with honey and cinnamon icing are my Secret Recipe Club creation for August.
I took a couple of months off while we were away/moving but I am back into it with a bang.
In fact, quite unusually for me, as soon as I was allocated my blog to squirrel through - Kitchen Trial and Error - I chose a recipe and made and photographed it the next day.
How's that for organised?
The description of banana bread-like cupcakes but with icing pretty much sold me.
What could be better than banana bread than having it in cupcake form with sweet, cinnamon icing?
Not a lot.
Oh that is if you don't count banana bread cupcakes fresh from the oven spread with a little icing.
They smelled just so wonderful I couldn't resist.
I encourage you to do the same if you have any to spare (cook's rights and all).
I took them to mum and dad's house for dessert for farewell dinner (my lucky Mum and sis are travelling around Europe at the moment) and even though Mum was leaving the next day, she made me leave the leftovers for her breakfast.
That says a lot because Mum doesn't have much of a sweet tooth and she's really picky when it comes to baked goodies.
I must admit, like usual I had a tough time choosing a recipe.
Kate (from Kitchen Trial and Error) has so many wonderful recipes and she takes great photos so I was totally sucked in.
I could have looked no further than brown sugar espresso choc-chip cookies on her front page but I did my due diligence and delved a little deeper.
Kate lives in New York state with her husband and beautiful baby boy and like me loves making things like bread and butter from scratch (she's a girl after my own heart).
Make sure you pop in and say hi and try out one of her recipes, but start with these cupcakes.
Enjoy!
Recipe
Banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon icing
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 2 ¼ cups plain AP flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ cup mashed bananas approximately 3-4 bananas, very ripe
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 250 g 2 sticks/ 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup + ⅓ cup caster superfinesugar
- 2 large free-range eggs
Icing
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 250 g 1 cup/2 sticks unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 ½ cups icing confectioner's sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 160C (350F) fan-forced and line two 12-hole muffin tins with liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, combine the mashed bananas, milk and vanilla.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and caster sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time and beat just until they are mixed in.
- Alternating between the dry and wet ingredients, mix in a third of the dry then a third of the wet and repeat until everything is mixed in.
- Divide the batter between the cupcake cases.
- Bake for 18 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Leave to rest in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile make the icing.
- Beat the honey, butter and cinnamon together until light and then slowly add the icing sugar.
- Continue to beat until the icing is light and fluffy.
- When the cakes are cooled, spread or pipe the icing on top.
- Store in an airtight container.
Eleanor says
Banana, honey and cinnamon go SO well together! I just wondered if you think these would freeze well at all? Or how long do they last at room temp? Thanks for your great recipes!
Claire says
You're welcome! You can freeze them yes. They're not going to look quite as pretty when they're defrosted though. Another option is to freeze the cupcakes un-iced and then ice once theyr'e defrosted. They keep about 3 days at room temp in an airtight container.
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
They look delicious and and what could be wrong about banana bread in cupcake form :) I'd have one for breakfast too!
Martine @ Chompchomp says
I love how you iced these little babies...really cute!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love banana cupcakes and these are so pretty! I like the way you've iced them. :)
Amy Tong says
These Banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon icing are so adorable and elegant. I love the flavor combination too.
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
What a cute way to frost the cupcakes! They sound yummy... great SRC pick!
Claire says
Thanks Jess!
Kate | Food Babbles says
How pretty! Love the flavors going on here, like banana bread in cupcake form. Great pick!
Claire says
They're just like banana bread in cupcake form!
sara says
So delicious! These cupcakes look fantastic, especially that frosting!
Claire says
Thanks Sara!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What an interesting icing technique. Is that using a star tip?
Claire says
Yep it is indeed.
Stephanie@Henry Happened says
mm, banana bread that's not really bread, I love it! these look so cute with that icing!
AmandaE says
My husband would love these! I'll skip the cake part and just go straight for the icing :-) Great SRC pick
Claire says
Yes I could have eaten it by the spoonful!
Leigh says
These look and sound beautiful! :)
Jess says
Yum - great pick, Claire! I love anything banana, but that icing definitely sounds like it makes these. Pretty icing work, as always, friend - I think I need you to give me lessons.
Claire says
No way I'm sure you don't need lessons from me!
Sweet as Sugar Cookies says
Honey cinnamon icing is so perfect for pairing with the banana. What a great pick for this month's SRC.
Jane Bonacci, The Heritage Cook says
Hi Claire - I was SO lucky to get your blog this month! I made your Lamington Whoopies and they are fantastic! Thanks so much for a great recipe!!
Claire says
So glad you liked them Jane!