Banana Split Cupcakes

A favorite summer treat interpreted in a cupcake by layering the distinct banana-split flavors (chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla) over the banana cake base.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 563 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• 2 tablespoons milk, or as needed
• 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
• 12 dried banana chips
• 2 mashed ripe bananas
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup white sugar
• 0.25 cup buttermilk
• 0.25 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 teaspoon butter
• 0.25 cup shortening
• 0.25 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 0.25 cup chopped semisweet chocolate

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 12 cups of a muffin tin with paper liners.

Step 2

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.

Step 3

Cream sugar and shortening together in a large mixing bowl. Add mashed bananas, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture and stir to combine. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5

Reserve 1/4 cup frosting in a separate bowl. Divide remaining frosting into 2 equal portions. Add cocoa to one portion and mix until thoroughly blended. Add jam to the other portion and mix until thoroughly blended.

Step 6

Pour cream into a microwave-safe container and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add chocolate, butter, and instant coffee granules. Stir ganache until smooth and let sit until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 7

Pipe a ring of chocolate buttercream frosting around the edge of a cooled cupcake; do not pipe too high. Fill in the center with a dollop of strawberry buttercream frosting. Place a banana chip on top and drizzle with ganache. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.

Step 8

Meanwhile, cream butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Slowly add confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time and mix until creamy; the final cup of sugar will not blend smoothly. Add milk until frosting is creamy. Mix in vanilla extract.