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Well hellllloooo, cutest dessert ever.
Banana Split Cupcakes: a banana split masquerading as a cupcake!
Now that I’m re-obsessed with all things Twilight (I’m on Eclipse for the gazillionth time) I’m seeing parallels in life pretty much everywhere.
{I’m also dreaming about Bella and Edward again. And pining over this shirt.}
When my cat is jealous of my dog and my dog is crazed with jealousy from the cat, it reminds me of a dog-feline-human triangle. Not much different than a dog-vampire-human triangle.
During the night my core gets really hot. Mel calls me a heater, and if he’s cold he just has to scootch next to me for a minute. Not unlike the tent scene with Jacob and Bella…only indoors with less threat of death.
Or like these cupcakes. How are these cupcakes like vampires?
They are super cute.
They are in disguise.
And they have a secret.
See? Totally a parallel to vampires.
{Really, at this point I can see parallels to everything. It’s called an obsession for a reason.}
These cupcakes really are like banana splits! Ice Cream Sundaes really aren’t knew. Every spring you see them fly around blogland, eliciting oohs and ahhs of their cuteness. When I was brainstorming desserts for my mom’s birthday party (a 50’s diner theme) I asked myself: what do you eat at a diner?
Ice cream sundaes, of course!
I wanted to make them different than just a cupcake looking like a sundae. So, I changed up the the flavors a bit.
The cupcake is banana. It’s my favorite banana cake recipe ever, the same one I made my Banana Cake with Caramel Filling from. (Thanks Jocelyn!)
Then, in true banana split fashion, I filled the cupcakes with strawberry ice cream topping, the kind you get with all the ice cream stuff. You could also use pineapple filling if you want. Both come on a banana split.
The “ice cream” is in the form of a generous scoop of vanilla frosting. That is topped with melted chocolate melts (I used chocolate almond bark, you can buy it in the baking section at Walmart and some grocery stores) to represent hot fudge. The cupcakes are finished with sprinkles and a red peanut M&M for the “cherry”.
Seriously, the cutest cupcakes everrrrrr. And they were a huge hit at the party.
See, look! They kind of sparkle in the light? Right? Or is that just me?
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup brown bananas , smashed
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
For the Frosting:
- 4 sticks butter , softened
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoons heavy cream , if needed for consistency
To make the sundaes:
- 1/2 jar of Strawberry and/or Pineapple Ice Cream Topping (like Smucker’s)
- 6-8 ounces (about half a package) chocolate candy melts (Wilton, Candiquik or other almond bark)
- 24 red peanut M&Ms
- Sprinkles
Instructions
Make the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line cupcake tins with liners (about 24).
- Mix cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and baking soda in a large bowl on low for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Reduce mixer back to low (or “stir” for a stand mixer) and mix in bananas.
- Fill prepared liners 2/3 full.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
- Beat butter until fluffy. Slowly beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing until frosting has formed. Mix in vanilla. If needed for consistency, add heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Assemble cupcakes:
- Cut a small amount out of the center of each cupcake. Add a teaspoon of strawberry (or pineapple) ice cream topping to the hole in each cupcake.
- Use an ice cream scoop to place a large scoop of icing on the cupcake (to resemble a scoop of ice cream).
- Melt candy melts in the microwave, according to package directions. Spoon about a tablespoon over the top of the frosting on each cupcake, to resemble hot fudge. Sprinkle immediately with sprinkles and top with a red peanut M&M to resemble a cherry.
Click here for easy ways to use overripe BANANAS
Some other cupcakes to brighten your day:
Ice Cream Buttercream Frosting
Sweets from friends:
Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes by Something Swanky
Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes by Love From The Oven
Banana Split Cake Bites by See Sarah Bake
This post may be linked to: Chef in Training, Lil’ Luna, Buns In My Oven, Chic-and-Crafty, I’m Lovin’ it Fridays, Strut your Stuff Saturday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Sundae Scoop Link Party, and all of these too!
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Last Updated on February 2, 2023
These are awesome!!!, Cool idea!, Pictures are fabulous, Thanks Puja
Instead of strawberry filling i used chocolate! Yum!
Awesome!! I think I’d love that even more!
Hi, Dorothy! Stopping by to let you know that I featured your yummy (and ALMOST too cute to eat!…almost! ;)) Banana Split Cupcakes on my blog today: http://www.chattingoverchocolate.com/2013/07/banana-splits-dozen-pinteresting-ways.html … Thanks for sharing this fun recipe! 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying a terrific week!!
Thanks Brenda!
I cannot get over the presentation and creativity in these cupcakes! I kinda want to steal the whole bowl 😀
Thank you Carla!
what a cool idea!
Thanks Dina!
The picture alone has my attention. What a fun creative recipe, and they look delicious too!!! Hugs, Terra
Thanks so much! 🙂
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