Let me share my favorite twist on banana cupcakes! These Banana Cream Cheese Cupcakes combine everything wonderful about moist banana cake with a surprise cream cheese filling and fluffy frosting. They're perfect for when you want to make something really special that everyone will love.
What Makes These Extra Special
I love how these cupcakes balance sweet ripe bananas with that tangy cream cheese center. The hint of cinnamon and cloud-like frosting makes them absolutely irresistible. They're simple enough to make but look like they came from a fancy bakery.
What You'll Need
- For the Cupcakes:
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups)
- Baking powder and soda
- Just a pinch of salt
- Soft butter (½ cup)
- Regular sugar (¾ cup)
- Fresh eggs
- Pure vanilla
- Sour cream for moisture
- Very ripe bananas
- For the Filling:
- Soft cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- More vanilla
- For the Frosting:
- More soft butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Heavy cream
Let's Start Baking
- Get Ready:
- Heat your oven to 350°F line your muffin tin.
- Mix Your Dry Team:
- Whisk flour baking powder soda and salt.
- Create the Base:
- Cream butter and sugar add eggs vanilla and those sweet bananas.
- Bring It Together:
- Mix in dry ingredients and sour cream just until combined.
- Time to Bake:
- Fill your cups about 2/3 full bake until perfect.
- Make It Special:
- Fill with cream cheese mixture top with that fluffy frosting.
- Make Them Pretty:
- Add banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
My Best Tips
Use those super ripe speckled bananas they're the sweetest. Let your cupcakes cool completely before filling them. For pretty swirls use a piping bag or make one from a ziplock. And remember don't overmix your batter we want them light and fluffy.
Keep Them Fresh
Keep these beauties in the fridge for up to 4 days since they have cream cheese. I love them cold but 10 seconds in the microwave makes them heavenly warm. Try them with coffee or add a drizzle of caramel for extra indulgence.
Mix It Up
- Try whipped cream on top for something lighter
- Add mini chocolate chips for extra decadence
- Sprinkle with nuts for crunch
- Make them gluten-free with your favorite blend
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How ripe should my bananas be?
The riper the better - look for bananas with lots of brown spots for best flavor.
- → Can I make these ahead?
Yes, but add banana garnish just before serving to prevent browning.
- → How do I store these cupcakes?
Store in fridge up to 3 days due to cream cheese filling.
- → No piping bag - what can I use?
Use a ziplock bag with corner snipped off as DIY piping bag.
- → Why did my filling melt?
Make sure cupcakes are completely cool before filling to prevent melting.