Banana Chocolate Cupcakes

I'd bought a bunch of large bananas over the weekend. Decided to let it ripe thoroughly before I start to use them. It is said to be more sweet and soft when fully ripe.

Don't throw the bananas away when you see the black spots. They are soft and sweet. Ideal for baking!

Mash the bananas

Recipe and method adapted by Joy of Baking.

12 servings

• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar 
• 1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour 
• ⅓ cup (35 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (regular or Dutch-processed) 
• ¾ teaspoons baking powder 
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 
• 1 large egg 
• ½ cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 medium sized banana) 
• ½ cup (120 ml) warm water 
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) canola, corn, or vegetable oil 
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract 

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180°C and place rack in the center of the oven. 
• Line 12 regular-sized muffin cups with paper liners or spray each cup with a non stick vegetable spray. 
• In a large bowl whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
• In another large bowl, whisk together the egg, mashed banana, water, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. 
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, or whisk, until combined. (The batter is quite thin.) 
• Pour or scoop the batter into the muffin cups, about 3/4 full, and bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. 
• Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. 

Fresh from oven!

Ingredients for frosting:

• 3 ounces (90 grams) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped 
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 1 cup (120 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. 
• Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. 
• In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute). 
• Add the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. 
• Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is smooth and glossy (about 2 -3 minutes). 

I melted the chocolate chip by using double boiler method.

Let the melted chocolate be cool completely before you proceed to the next step.

Ready to serve!