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Banana, hazelnut, cacao cupcakes with cream cheese butter frosting

18/11/2014

44 Comments

 
Banana, hazelnut, cacao cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
On one of our recent road trips, we discovered a bakehouse and café in a town about 120 kilometres from home. Among the goodies on offer were gluten-free chocolate and banana cupcakes with a cream cheese topping. They were a bit on the 'dry' side, but reasonably tasty, if not a little expensive. That said, we stopped in at the café again on the return trip to buy a couple more, as I was keen to pull them apart and then try to recreate them in my kitchen at home.

The young man behind the counter commented that the cupcakes 'must be really good' if I was buying more. 'I'm going to try and bake some at home,' I explained. 'Oh, we buy them in,' he replied, adding that he was happy to put me in touch with the company they bought them from. My first thoughts were that it was strange that a 'bakehouse' would need to 'buy in' cupcakes, but I digress. I thanked him and explained that I was happy to try my own take on the recipe. To this he replied 'I had another lady tell me that a while back and I said to her: "It doesn't work like that, love". I mean, you can't just taste something like this and decide what's in it and then make it...', he added somewhat cockily.

I was taken aback at his remarks but remained diplomatic. 'On the contrary,' I told him with a smile. 'A good cook can recreate cakes and the like from taste, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.' The look on his face told me that my response had not pleased him one bit. Well, 'meh' to him, because I have created my own version... and, if I may say so, mine are actually better in terms of presentation, texture and taste.

The base recipe for the cupcakes is the one I used in my banana, hazelnut, cacao wholemeal loaf, but this time I upped the quantity of the Frangelico. This version is not gluten free, but you can substitute GF flour for the wholemeal. In terms of the frosting, I was inspired by my very clever friend, Celia, who shared her piping experiences (and beautifully decorated cupcakes, too!) in a recent post. Scroll down for more on Icing Cupcakes 101 with Celia and Rosie Cake Diva. 

BANANA HAZELNUT CACAO CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE BUTTER FROSTING
For the cupcakes:
1 cup hazelnuts
3 large ripe bananas, mashed 
4 free range eggs
1/4 cup macadamia oil
3 tablespoons cacao powder
1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar 
1 tablespoon Dutch cocoa powder
1/2 cup wholemeal self-raising flour
1 tablespoon Frangelico

For the cream cheese butter frosting:
500g cream cheese (I used low fat)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup icing sugar
vanilla syrup* to drizzle, optional

Preheat your oven to 160 degrees C. Place the hazelnuts on a baking tray and lightly toast them in the oven for about six minutes. Remove and allow to cool, then process the toasted hazelnuts to a coarse meal. Set it aside.

Turn up the oven to 180 degrees C. Place eight cup cake liners into a muffin tin or on to a baking tray. Combine the mashed bananas, eggs and macadamia oil in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on a low setting until the mixture is just combined. Slowly add the hazelnut meal, cacao powder, coconut palm sugar, Dutch cocoa powder, self raising flour and Frangelico, and mix until combined.

Using a serving spoon, transfer the batter to cup cake liners and bake for around 20-30 minutes, or until a skewer tests clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool slightly. When you are ready to serve, pipe the prepared cream cheese icing over the cupcakes and drizzle with vanilla syrup if desired. Makes 8 cupcakes.

To make the cream cheese icing, combine the cream cheese, butter and icing sugar in a bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until well combined. If you find that the icing is a little 'stiff', add a few drops of milk to the mixture before you spoon it into the piping bag, otherwise it simply won't come out through the nozzle. Drizzle some vanilla syrup over the top of the cream cheese icing if desired, or you could make some caramel sauce and finish it off with that if you wish. 
*I use Heilala Vanilla syrup. I think Maple syrup would also taste good.
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The store-bought...  tasty but expensive, and a little on the 'dry side'...

Picture
Please excuse the quality of this photo taken for Instagram with my phone. 

Icing Cupcakes 101 with Celia and Rosie...

In her post, Celia points out that she isn't a fan of cupcakes, and frankly neither am I. That might explain why I have a Pinterest page titled 'Did you ever get the feeling there are too many cupcakes on Pinterest?'. It's one of my most popular Pinterest pages, with new followers jumping on board every day. Cupcakes are popular it would seem.

I'm not so good at icing cakes either, but inspired by  Celia's adventures and Rosie's video (below), I thought it was time to give piping a second chance. It was then that I brought out the 'big guns' in the form of my $5 piping set purchased from Aldi last Christmas. With freshly baked cupcakes at the ready, I fiddled and faddled, and managed to pipe on some simple frosting using a 'princess tip'. True, I'm no diva, but I think my frosting looks better than the store-bought one (pictured above). What do you reckon?

From Celia's (and my own) experience, and the many comments on Celia's blog post, I've learned that piping takes patience and practice. I'm keen to embrace new skills and think I'd sooner try and teach myself how to perfect the art of piping two-tone rose icing onto cupcakes, than learn to sew or knit. So watch this space, I may need your guidance and encouragement.  ツ


Icing kit from Aldi
Icing kit from Aldi - a $5 bargain
Recipe makes eight cupcakes
Ready to ice the cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

I'm no icing diva, but I'm going to keep trying... 

Banana, hazelnut, cacao cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Tell me dear readers, are you good at icing cakes? Do you enjoy cupcakes? And do you ever try to recreate your own versions of store-bought products at home? Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I read them all! 
44 Comments
celia
18/11/2014 03:54:03 pm

They look gorgeous Lizzy! Thank you for the very kind shoutout! And what a bargain those Aldi tips were - my 1M tip alone cost me $9! :)

Reply
Lizzy
18/11/2014 04:23:02 pm

Hi lovely Celia... yep, I know they're expensive... I co-owned that cookware store for a decade... the Aldi pack is brilliant!

Reply
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
18/11/2014 06:21:45 pm

Oh dear, I don't know about not liking cupcakes. There is so much joy to be had by them! Don't get me started on how great cupcakes are :)

Reply
Lizzy
19/11/2014 08:29:18 am

Ha, Lorraine... well, I suppose one good thing is that you can lick the icing off!? :D But they have to be good cupcakes, not sickly thickly iced, brightly coloured... I have a range of demands for 'good' cupcakes.

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e / dig in hobart link
19/11/2014 10:39:20 am

good on you lizzy for telling him what's what! i mean, if he is byuing in products, not even making them himself, what would he know? i'm sure yours were much moister and tastier (extra frangelico, mmm). home made often is - i'm increasingly disatisfied with cafe-bought cakes, but i guess if they are being shipped in from other premises... sad.

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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:29:56 am

Oh Elizabeth, thank you... I wasn't sure about sharing that story, but I'm glad I did... and you are quite right there.

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John link
19/11/2014 12:28:01 pm

I'm terrible at decorating cakes! I just don't have the gene, I think. Or more likely, too lazy to learn. ;-) These look great! Even though there are too many cupcakes on Pinterest. :D

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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:30:39 am

You are too funny, John... but correct, see maybe I don't have the gene either... but I'm keen to learn : D

Reply
Liz link
19/11/2014 02:17:03 pm

Yup, yours look much better than the ones from the bakehouse. And way to teach that young man about "good cooks." You are one talented lady.

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:31:08 am

Oh Liz, thank you for that lovely compliment... coming from a baker such as yourself, that was very kind xo

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Joanne T Ferguson link
19/11/2014 02:28:16 pm

G'day these look absolutely gorgeous Lizzy and LOVE the combination! Wish I could come through the screen and try one right now too!
Cheers! Joanne

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:31:38 am

Thanks Joanne, they do look yummy don't they : )

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Jennifer Milk and Honey link
19/11/2014 04:33:31 pm

There's nothing like a homemade cake from scratch. Yours look delish and I bet, tasted much better than the "bought-in" one. It disappoints me that a bakehouse doesn't make its own baked goods, but it shouldn't surprise me. I once asked a local butcher if he had any racks of lamb and his reply was "No, we only get them in Monday." I thought the art of butchery included preparing cuts of meat, but I was wrong on this occasion (and I live in a farming district). I haven't been back to that butcher since.

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:32:10 am

Hi Jennifer... *shakes head*... I know just what you mean! Makes you wonder.

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Krista link
19/11/2014 05:43:27 pm

Atta girl! Way to not let him railroad you with his ignorant comments. Silly bugger. Your cupcakes are gorgeous. :-)

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:32:44 am

Aw, thanks Krista... you're right, it was a very ignorant comment from that silly young man! : )

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Mandy link
19/11/2014 05:51:12 pm

I love baking cupcakes and icing them but for love or money I cannot ice a rose - I do exactly what all the videos suggest but mine never look like roses. Lovely recipe Lizzy.
Have a super day.
:-) Mandy xo

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:33:15 am

Hi Mandy... oh, that would be disappointing... keep trying lovely one xox

Reply
Gourmet Getaways link
20/11/2014 12:16:16 am

LOL, kudos, Liz! You pulled it off both in recreating that cupcake and with your convo with the cocky counter guy :) See what he did to you?! He got you inspired even "acing the icing"! Great job!!!

Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:33:42 am

Hey there... "acing the icing"... love it! xo

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Mary Frances link
20/11/2014 09:54:40 am

Those little cupcake wrappers are so pretty!

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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:34:10 am

Thanks Mary Frances, they are, aren't they : )

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Laura (Tutti Dolci) link
20/11/2014 11:40:26 am

Beautiful cupcakes, I love the cream cheese frosting!

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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:34:32 am

Laura, thank you, me too xo

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Sara | Belly Rumbles link
20/11/2014 01:48:58 pm

Oh poo hoo to him. He obviously isn't the baker at the bakery. Oh hang on, do they bake at all........

Your cup cakes look far superior and I trust you when you say they taste amazing.

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:34:51 am

Aw, thanks Sara xo

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Maureen Shaw link
20/11/2014 02:28:57 pm

I'm in the minority then. I love cupcakes and if I have time, I love to pipe the icing. I would have no doubt you could make anything with just one taste as a reference. :)

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:35:24 am

And I bet your cupcakes are bloody marvellous, Maureen... : )

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Hotly Spiced link
20/11/2014 09:45:50 pm

Your cupcakes look so much better than that ordered-in version. What a strange chap! He doesn't seem to know a lot about the capabilities of quality cooks. Good on you for coming up with an excellent version of what was originally, only an average offering xx

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:36:18 am

True, Charlie, I was taken aback by what he said... and looking at the photo of the store bought one, I see now that it was only average. xo

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Nusrat Azim link
21/11/2014 02:44:47 pm

That first picture! Darn beautiful...just like a piece of my fondest dream! How I love your flavor-burst recipe! Thank you so much for that :)

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:36:46 am

Nusrat, thank you kindly : )

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@ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel) link
21/11/2014 09:48:05 pm

That silly chap in the bakery didn't appreciate how good a 'home cook' he was dealing with, did he?! Your cupcakes look so yummy - looking forward to trying the recipe some time!

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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:37:37 am

Thank you, Christine... he was rather silly... a good cook, not just me, can replicate things they've tasted... it's really not that hard, is it xo

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Laura Dembowski link
22/11/2014 12:42:42 am

Well, I certainly wouldn't go back to that bakery! Not only can you make better treats but they don't make their products and they sound rather rude.

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:38:09 am

Thanks Laura, I don't think we'll be rushing back there...

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David Scott Allen link
22/11/2014 08:40:55 am

These look delicious, Liz, and I love the paper wrappers! I have been working really hard on my cake decorating (remember my Hello Kitty post?) but, for the most part, would rather have an imperfect-looking cake and icing that tasted amazing that a pretty one with so-so flavor.

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:38:50 am

David, you are a legend with that cake decorating... and you are quite right with what you've said here.

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Bec link
23/11/2014 07:24:57 am

They look amazing! Lovely icing piping, I can never get it that good. great recipe x

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:39:19 am

Thanks Bec, I'm going to keep trying with the icing! x

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Anna @ shenANNAgans link
26/11/2014 03:34:40 pm

Good lord woman... you don't like cupcakes?! Mind blown. LOL! I used to be pretty good at icing. As an apprentice chef, one of my main jobs was piping butter, 1000's of them, really helped with the icing cake bit.

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:39:50 am

Oh hey Miss Anna, then you might be my go to gal when it comes to learning how to pipe icing xoxo

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Amanda @ Gourmanda link
27/11/2014 05:57:18 pm

What a cheeky sales assistant! Good on you for teaching them a lesson!;)

Reply
Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:40:19 am

Thanks Amanda... but did I really teach them a lesson, I think not. : /

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    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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