MSC Banana Pecan Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting

This is the bonus cupcake for the month.  These happen to be my birthday cupcakes too.  My sister-in-law thought it was silly that I was making my own cupcakes, but it really is something I enjoy so I thought it was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday.  Especially since the hubby was at class anyway. 

This is going to be a short post with only a few pictures.  For one, I'm tired.  And for two it was stormy today so I was in a hurry to get the cupcakes done before all my beautiful window lighting was gone.

As far as the cupcakes go, these little babies were so easy to make.  I actually like the other banana cupcake better.  This one tasted very light but I thought that might be because of the rich frosting.  Overall, the cake and frosting together were delicious.  Speaking of frosting, this recipe was a doozy.  Holy, time consuming.  Although it tastes yummy, I'm not sure it is worth all the time.  It is a knock off of a Swiss Buttercream Frosting so it is made with egg whites, sugar, vanilla, and lots of butter.  The caramel had to be made separately and from scratch.  I have only been successful one time in making homemade caramel.  That would be on the Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes.  That caramel turned out fabulous!  I'm not sure what the problem was today.  Oh well.  I didn't end up with a lot of caramel because I had to strain out some chunkies.  The frosting ended up with a light caramel taste.

First Impression- 4.5

That is all you are getting today.  I will let you know more next time.  You can find this recipe on pg. 41 of Martha Stewart Cupcakes.

Here is the recipe for the Chocolate Syrup Frosting from my previous post.  You can find this recipe on pg. 330 of Cupcakes! From the Cake Mix Doctor.

1 stick of butter

1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 c. chocolate syrup

3 c. confectioner's sugar, sifted

1 Tbl. Milk
1 t. pure vanilla extract

1. Place the butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate syrup in a large mixing bowl.  Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined, 30 seconds.  Stop the machine and add the sugar, milk, and vanilla.  Blend with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, 1 minute.  Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 1 minute more.

Makes 3 1/2 cups

Frosts 24 cupcakes

I hope everyone is doing well.  We are full force heading into the colder part of fall.  It is supposed to snow up in the mountains tomorrow.  As much as I hate winter, that kind of excited me.  I do love to see snow up there from a distance.