Chocolate Banana Cupcakes

These cupcakes have a very light and delicate texture. They are made without butter, and the combination of chocolate and banana gives them a lovely aroma. They also take very little time to prepare. I make the frosting mainly for the kids. This recipe uses a traditional American-style frosting, but you can easily replace it with whipped cream or, for example, yogurt 

Ingredients (makes 12 cupcakes)

For the Batter

• 1 cup flour (125 g)

• 1 cup sugar (250 g)

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (40 g)

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• A pinch of salt

• 1 egg

• 1 ripe banana

• 1/2 cup warm water (120 ml)

• 1/4 cup milk (60 ml)

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (60 ml)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Frosting

• 55 g butter, at room temperature

• 115 g Philadelphia cream cheese, at room temperature 

• 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar (250 g)

Steps

Batter

1. Mix all the dry ingredients

2. Mash the banana with a fork

3. Mix the banana with the liquid ingredients

4. Mix everything together

5. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners

6. Fill the liners 3/4 full with batter

7. Bake the cupcakes in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes

8. Once cooled, decorate the cupcakes with frosting

Frosting

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth, gradually adding the powdered sugar

2. If desired, decorate with grated chocolate