All you banana cream pie lovers out there, this cupcake is for you! Being a light fluffy banana cupcake topped with simple vanilla pastry cream and a fresh banana slice, this delightful cupcake mimics all the flavors of a slice of silky banana cream pie. This cupcake is so easy to make! Normally I don't believe in using many packaged ingredients, such as a boxed pudding mix... but this is the exception. I have made this cupcake using a homemade pastry cream and using this version of pastry cream. The instant vanilla pudding version. Surprisingly I actually like this version better. It is creamier, slightly sweeter and it just fits this cupcake better. Trust me, this is the exception to using a packaged mix. You won't be disappointed with these cupcakes! They are on my list of top 5 favorite cupcakes.
Banana Cupcakes
Yields 16 cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
1 tsp lemon juice
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1 recipe easy vanilla pastry cream, recipe follows
2 bananas, sliced
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside. In a small bowl mix mashed bananas with lemon juice, set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy about 3 - 4 minutes. Mix in egg and vanilla. Add mashed bananas and stir until combine. Mix in the flour mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Pour 1/4 cup mixture into greased muffin cups or paper muffin cups. Bake for 22-24 minutes until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and let muffins cool in muffin pan 5 minutes, then remove from muffin pan and let cool 30 minutes on a wire cooling rack. Pipe vanilla pastry cream on top of muffins and refrigerate until ready to serve. Place banana slices on top immediately before serving.
Easy Vanilla Pastry Cream
Ingredients:
2 (3.5 oz) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl whisk together all ingredients about 2 minutes until very thick. Refrigerate mixture about 30 minutes until fully set. Stir once more to remove clumps.
