When Bryan and I are craving for cake, we usually go to SusieCakes. SusieCakes make really moist and not too sweet cakes. Other than whole cakes and cupcakes, they also sell sliced cakes. Their old-fashioned 6-layer chocolate sliced cake can feed a good 4 people (or 2 of us for 2 nights). Divine! Each month, SusieCakes have a few items for featured flavors. Last month, their cupcake featured flavor was banana chocolate chip. I was hoping to grab some, but didn’t have a chance. When I saw ripe bananas on my counter, I know what I need to make.
I am so thankful to find this recipe from Bakers Royale. These cupcakes are made with shortening and evaporated milk. I hesitated for a moment, because I am not sure what cupcakes are like without butter and regular milk. But I ended up making them and I was in a good surprise. The cupcakes were super moist. When you took a bite, the banana flavor came through. Then, there were the crunchy chocolate chips. For the frosting, I made a good old cream cheese frosting. It was slighty sweet and slighty savory that paired the cupcakes well. These are some heavenly cupcakes! I can say endless good things about them, so I urge you to make them. And I promise your families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers will thank you again and again.
On a side note, if you live in North America, did you catch the rare “blood moon” lunar eclipse on Monday night or Tuesday morning? It happened around midnight in Los Angeles. Even though it passed our regular bed time, we stayed up for it. It was really stunning and pretty! Bryan was able to get some nice shots. Totally worth it! If you missed it this time, the next one is coming up in October.
Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes (Adapted from Bakers Royale & Joy of Baking)
18 cupcakes
Ingredients:
– 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
– 1¼ cup sugar
– 1 tablespoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ½ cup soft shortening
– ¾ cup ripe bananas (mashed, about 2 medium)
– 1/3 cup evaporated milk
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 2 eggs
– 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cream Cheese Frosting:
– 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ cup powdered sugar
– 2/3 cup heavy cream (cold)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Line two muffin pans with 18 paper liners.
- In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the shortening, mashed bananas, evaporated milk, vanilla extract and eggs. Beat on medium until blended. Once it is blended, beat for another 3 minutes. Stir in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners about ¾ filled. Bake in the oven for 20 – 22 minutes. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. The toothpick should come out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack and cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract at low-speed until combined. Add the heavy cream and whip until the frosting is thick enough to use. Frost and decorate the cupcakes.
Tips:
- Use ripe bananas! Not only spotted, but pretty brown all over on the skin. If your bananas are not ripe, try this method.
- I didn’t put much frosting on each of my cupcakes, so the amount of frosting was enough for me. If you love a lot of frosting, you may want to double it.
- For storage, keep the cupcakes in a container in the fridge for a few days. Let them get back to room temperature before eating.
Oooo! Blood moon pics AND banana chocolate cupcakes? Too good. All your photos are so clean and beautiful. Thanks for sharing! =)
Thank you so much Bonnie. The blood moon was pretty incredible. It is lucky that we get to see 2 within a year. I hope to catch the next one too! For the cupcakes, if you like banana and chocolate, you will enjoy these.
Aaw I missed the blood moon but hopefully will be able to catch it next time 🙂 These cupcakes look wonderful! I am a big fan of baked goods with banana and chocolate:)
Thank you Kelly. Yes, the next lunar eclipse is on Oct. It should be nice too! These cupcakes have made my favorite list now. So moist and good.
Your banana cupcakes look and sound delicious, Lokness! I am also a fan of Bakers Royale. 🙂 Thank you for pointing out this recipe. I have never tried evaporated milk and Crisco in a cupcake! I can’t wait to try and see what the texture and flavor are like! That photo of the moons is beautiful. i will pay more attention in October so we don’t miss it. 🙂
Thanks Wendy. I am really surprised how moist the cupcakes were. Very nice! These cupcakes are definitely at the top of my dessert list. Hope you will catch the next total lunar eclipse!
I love banana and chocolate. yum!
Me too… Banana and chocolate also go so well with each other. These cupcakes are great. Hope you will try them.
Love the look of those cupcakes and wow, that bloodmoon is amazing. Never seen anything like it!
Thanks a lot, Simone! The moon was fantastic and magical. It didn’t feel real at all. You gotta check it out next time. Thanks for your sweet comment.
Oh these cupcakes look so good! Love the chocolate chip base with the cream cheese frosting! We missed the blood moon … hopefully next time! Have a great weekend!
Thank you Ashley! These cupcakes were really good. I wish I still have some now. Cream cheese frosting goes great with any cupcake, right? You gotta check out the moon next time.
These cupcakes look so good- love the cream cheese frosting! Delicious recipe!
Thanks, Jess! Yea, I love cream cheese frosting too! It seems like I put them on almost all kind of cupcakes. 😛
Dang it, I totally missed that blood moon lunar eclipse! I’m going to have to keep my eye out for it again in October. These cupcakes sound delicious. I love banana in baking, gives it such great flavor : )
Yes, banana is so delicious in baked goods. And they make the kitchen (or the whole house) smells incredible when baking. There is always another lunar eclipse. Hope you will get a chance to view it next time. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hi Lokness your cupcakes look so yummy. I’am not a fan of banana but I can easily replace it by another fruit.
Chantal
Thanks! Yea, it should work with a few other fruits. I am thinking strawberries. Gotta try it next time.
I am a huge fan of banana baked goods and that combination of moist banana cake/bread/muffin with chocolate chips, which just makes life better in my humble opinion. These look so neat and pretty.
And that lunar eclipse is crazy! : )
I am totally on the same page with you. Banana baked goods are something special. Moist and fragrant. And who doesn’t love chocolate chips?
The moon was spectacular. I am glad that we got to see it. Thanks Monica!
great
how beautiful
<3
Thank you! These are some of my favorite cupcakes!
I made these cupcakes. I did use a different cream cheese recipe that I love (I am sure this one would have been good too.) Anyway, I made the actual cupcake exactly like the recipe and they turned out great. I used very ripe bananas and it really was worth it. The cupcakes had a fantastic/strong banana flavor. This recipe is definitely going in my recipe book!
Yeah! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed these cupcakes! They are one of my favorites too! Ripe bananas are totally the key! Thanks for coming back and leaving me feedback. 🙂