Dear readers, I apologize. Profusely. With utmost sincerity. It's just that I've been so busy and distracted. Part of it is due to school and work. I'm in the throws of finals, and I have a GPA and 20 page papers that are making me fuss and worry. Well, actually, school is just all encompassing all the time. I just haven't had time for cupcakes.Plus, baking wise, I have been exploring other new routes and recipes with my work over at Simply Recipes. These projects have just taken me away from cupcakes, which I am glad for as I am becoming a better baker for it. Though there still is a nagging feeling of neglect for the cupcakes I love so much. Plus, as many ideas for cupcake recipes as I have had, I just haven't had one that really gave me drive or inspiration.
Compound that with work on my own blog, the magazine, and my actual day job, I'm a bit of a busy bee. Rob and my friends are concerned I'm going to stroke out or have a heart attack or ulcer due to the stress, which I have never handled well to begin with.
However, I recently stumbled onto the blog, Tartlette, and after reading every single one of her posts (which badly cut into time I should have been studying) I found some new inspiration, and budgeted out a night to for these cupcakes.
This delicious cupcake takes it's bare base measurements from Tartlette's recipe for Banana Rhubarb cupcakes. The difference here is the swap of rhubarb for strawberries, lemon for orange zest, and vanilla sugar in lieu of spices. For the most part I was thoroughly happy with this cupcake; rich in banana flavor, very dense, with nice bits of strawberry that, after being baked, had a great almost jam like quality to them. Add in the subtle hints of soothing vanilla, and the inexplicably delicious taste of cream cheese frosting (proof that not only does God exist, he likes to bake) it's a winner and a perfect cure for Spring fever.
The cupcake thus gets a special dedication to Jill and Rob who have been great in helping me focus and stay centered and realize that everything will work out. =)
(And yes, Jill, I will make a batch just for you.)
Banana Strawberry CupcakesMakes 20 Cupcakes / 350 F
What You'll Need...
3 cups flour
1 cup vanilla sugar (or substitute regular sugar)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
grated zest of one lemon
2 bananas, mashed
1 cup of chopped strawberries
What You'll Do...
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, stir the eggs and the oil. Add the bananas, rhubarb and orange zest.
Add to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Spoon into cupcake papers, about 3/4th's full and bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool in a wire rack and frost.
You can find the recipe for my Cream Cheese Frosting here.
Will you make me a batch too? They look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBest combo ever - must make these. They look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to try these... But strawberries or rhubarb? Lemon or orange zest?
ReplyDeleteThose look so very yummy.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Lord... Now I can't wait for strawberry season! These are terrific!
ReplyDeleteYou and your cupcakes are both very sweet. :-) Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteAnything you do is awesome-Cupcake or not. Non-cupcake recipes are refreshing at times.:)
ReplyDeleteI am thinking banana and butter pecan something-these look so yummy and spark inspiration.
Hooray new cupcakes from you! Don't worry school's almost over isn't it?
ReplyDeleteDon't these look scrumptious! I love bananas and strawberries together, thanks! The cream cheese frosting is a perfect topper, too.
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing! Possibly good enough for me to clear off the counter and bake. :-)
ReplyDeleteHelen has some wonderful banana recipes on her blog. And your cupcakes look delish!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing I will try and make them.
ReplyDeleteThis banana strawberry cupcakes looks so beautiful with the colors, I'm sure it'll be a big hit with the kids! Although I'm to a big fan of chocolate cake, this sure looks yummy! I'm normally the one that will say no to cupcake. thank you for shearing your post.
ReplyDelete