Homemade Banana Cupcakes (for real!)

I am not really good at baking but I want to learn at least a few basic recipes.  We have some over ripe bananas sitting at the kitchen counter and I thought this is a good time to learn one recipe, Banana Bread!  Something I can claim to be homemade, made from scratch and not something from a box (for a change!  Haha!).  Remember the banana loaf we baked last week?

There are a lot of banana bread recipes in the Net but I think this recipe with Chocolate Chip and Walnuts which I found on the Epicurious site is the best (because it has easy to find/buy ingredients, haha!).  It also helped that there were reviews/comments written by those who tried the recipe (91% of those who tried it said they would make it again).  I've read some of the comments and have adjusted the recipe accordingly.  In case you want the original recipe, please click on this link.

I was supposed to make a banana loaf but since we have some cupcake liners at home, I thought cupcakes would be nice.

This cupcake may look simple . . .

But it was moist and just flavorful!  Whew!

I can taste the bananas, the right amount of chocolate chips and walnuts in every bite and a hint of cinnamon to bring it all together.  Definitely not from a box!  Haha!  I couldn't be any happier how the cupcakes turned out! 

If you don't bake and you want to try baking, but you don't know what to bake (and you don't have a mixer!  Haha!). . . this recipe is for you! It's Mom-Tested, Husband and Kid-approved too!

Here's the recipe (with adjustments):

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup (1stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder



Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Combine chocolate chips and walnuts in small bowl; add 1 tablespoon flour mixture and toss to coat.

Beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in mashed bananas, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Beat in flour mixture.  Add the choco chips, walnuts and cinnamon powder.

Use an ice cream scooper to put the mixture in the liners.  (I had one scoop for each cupcake)

Insert toothpick or fork in center.  If it comes out clean, your cupcakes are ready!

Baking Time: 15 mins.

Yield: 20 cupcakes 

Happy Baking! =)