I made these yesterday to celebrate our friends’ daughter’s first birthday. Because young children have sensitive digestive systems, I wanted to make a kid-friendly dessert that was tasty and healthy. This recipe has no butter and no refined sugar. I also decided on mini cupcakes that would be easier for small hands to hold.
Peanut butter and banana is a flavor combination that is synonymous with childhood. Admittedly, I was a tad nervous cooking with peanut butter in case there were any allergies, but, luckily, there were none and these cupcakes were a hit with everyone, young and old.
Ingredients: (makes 24 mini cupcakes)
1 cup self rising flour
1 heaping Tablespoon creamy peanut butter
3 Tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup buttermilk (or milk)
2 bananas, thawed and mashed
For the frosting:
1 block of cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
sprinkles to decorate
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, egg, maple syrup, vanilla, and bananas. Mix until creamy. Then, combine with the flour and buttermilk and mix well.
Pour into well-greased mini muffin tins and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. If using standard sized muffin tins, bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
While the cupcakes bake, prepare the icing. Use a hand mixer to combine the cream cheese, peanut butter, and maple syrup. Be sure the cream cheese is nice and soft before you begin.
While the cupcakes finish baking, chill the icing. Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe the icing onto the muffins using a piping bag or plastic sandwich bag.
Swirl the icing on top in the shape of a rosette, like so.
Like little icing hats.
Now, it’s time for colorful sprinkles!
Lots of sprinkles make cupcakes more fun!
Happy first birthday, Amelia!
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{ 22 comments }
These are just too cute! I love that they are healthier for the kiddos. Too bad my little guy is allergic to peanut butter
Oh no! If he’s not allergic to nuts, you could try almond butter instead. If that won’t do, try pureed canned pumpkin (not pie filling). It’s a great substitute for oil and butter in baking recipes.
While these are absolutely adorable… keep in mind, most pediatricians recommend that infants not have peanut products until 16 – 18 mos. old (later if there’s a family history of peanut allergies).
That being said, make the frosting chocolate instead of PB, and you’ve still got delicious little mini cupcakes
So many rules with babies!
My friends said no chocolate or peanut butter for the first year. There seemed to be more concern among the parents about chocolate than peanut butter, but luckily there were no dietary probs.
These cupcakes look super cute! I can’t believe how perfect the frosting looks, too! I can never seem to get it right.
Happy Birthday, Amelia!
Aw, thanks lady! The secret to pretty frosting is a sandwich bag and a steady hand. I got lucky this time.
I’m totally addicted to ANYTHING with peanut butter – these look so delicious, but I’d be afraid to make them because I’d eat them all in one sitting! Yum!
LOL! Well, at least there’s no butter or refined sugar, so if you did eat them all, you wouldn’t have to feel too bad about it.
These are precious! Everything is better when it’s mini and the combo of pb and banana sounds amazing.
Aw, thanks Ashlea!
just found your blog! YAY! can’t wait to browse around
oh and I’m sure your baby LOVED those mini cupcakes!!
xo,
mini baker
Thank you, Christa and welcome to my blog!
a “block” of cream cheese is not a useful measurement. Also please keep in mind that very few countries use the imperial system anymore…so it would be worth giving degrees for the oven in celcius if you don’t want to seem parochial
Sam, thanks for your comment. A quick look on Google reveals that a standard block of cream cheese is 8 oz. Of course, you could adjust the amount used in this recipe to suit your taste. I would also suggest using an online temperature converter to get an accurate celsius conversion.
So sweet of you to make the birthday cupcakes! They look fantastic and sound delicious.
these would be great for a bridal shower too! very cute!
Great idea!
PB + banana is still my favorite combo! Bookmarked this one for sure. Love the mini idea too!
Thanks, Laura! It’s def a classic flavor combo.
What a great way to celebrate your first year – with bananas, peanut butter, and cupcakes!
THese look SO cute!!!
Aw, thanks!
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