Banana + Nutella + chocolate = WINNING.
Introducing my new favourite treat – Nutella Banana Cupcakes. Soft and fluffy banana cakes with a touch of cinnamon, complete with a dollop of Nutella that gets baked into the cake, followed by swirls of homemade chocolate buttercream that is oh-so-fluffy.
We’ve explored the heavenly combo of Nutella and banana already. Remember my Nutella Swirl Banana Bread? Well these cupcakes continue the trend but also add fluffy chocolate frosting to the mix #alllmydreams
It all started when I had spotty overripe bananas staring back at me from my fruit bowl. There is no way I will eat a banana once it goes spotty so my only answer is to get baking. I had serious cupcake cravings but what’s a banana cupcake without a little bit of Nutella?
I knew I was onto a good thing right then and there but the final touch? Fluffy chocolate buttercream made from real chocolate. Yes, friends, it really is one special cupcake. For a festive touch, add banana chips on top or you could decorate with chocolate sprinkles.
It is NO secret that I am a huge Nutella fan. So I couldn’t resist adding a big dollop of Nutella to each and every one of these cupcakes. They are then baked to golden perfection. What you end up with is a lovely contrast of light and fluffy banana cake with a gooey pockets of baked Nutella on top.
Then there’s that chocolate buttercream. My FAV frosting. If you beat that butter as best you can, you will end up such a light and fluffy frosting that just about melts in your mouth. I just love using real melted chocolate in my frosting for texture and added flavour.
So tell me, how is your weekend going? Can you believe Christmas is on its way? I have been so enjoying the warm weather over here because we’ve been able to get out and enjoy the beach most weekends. And even though the water is still freezing, we try to make sure we get in and go for a swim because it’s undeniably refreshing. I think we’re going to really enjoy the Sydney summer.
This weekend I also made my first Christmas treats for the blog. I’m very excited to share them with you very soon! But do leave me a comment or send me an email if there is a recipe you would like to see this Christmas. And if you are starting to think about Christmas treats, check out our Christmas collection for some neat ideas.
Let’s Bake
Nutella Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting
Soft and fluffy banana cakes with a dollop of Nutella and swirls of homemade chocolate buttercream.
Ingredients
Nutella banana cupcakes
- 210 grams (1 and 1/2 cups) plain flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 150 grams (3/4 cup) caster sugar
- 45 grams (1/4 cup) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) buttermilk
- 2 large overripe bananas
- 12 teaspoons Nutella
Chocolate frosting
- 115 grams (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 100 grams (2/3 cups) dark chocolate
- 375 grams (3 cups) icing or powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 14 banana chips, to decorate (optional)
Instructions
- Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners. Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced.
- In a large bowl, sift the plain flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Peel and mash the bananas well. In a separate large mixing bowl, add the butter and sugars and beat with an electric mixer for a a couple of minutes until it is creamy, pale and combined. Add the vanilla and beat again briefly. Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating in between until creamy.
- Finally, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, along with buttermilk and the mashed banana. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Transfer the mixture into your cupcake liners, filling 3/4 full. Then add a teaspoon of Nutella onto each one and gently swirl with a knife. Bake your cupcakes for approximately 18 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, place your softened butter in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for a couple of minutes until pale and creamy. Meanwhile melt the chocolate in a microwave, stirring in between 20 second bursts, until just melted and set aside to cool a little.
- Once the butter is very pale and creamy, add in half of the powdered sugar and one tablespoon of milk and beat on low until the sugar is incorporated and then beat on medium speed until combined. Next, add the rest of the sugar and the milk, and again beat on slow until the sugar is incorporated before turning up to medium for another minute or so.
- Next, add in your melted chocolate to the buttercream mixture, ensuring the chocolate is still smooth and melted but is not warm. Beat until the chocolate is completely mixed through. Transfer your frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large circular tip. Pipe swirls onto each cupcake. Decorate with a banana chip right before serving.
May says
I tried to bake it yesterday and came out soft. moist and tasty! How can I make it taller and crispy on the top wihout frosting ? Just wondering why it looks sticky on the top and oily on the bottom after cool down ?
★★★★
Jessica Holmes says
Hi May, glad you enjoyed them. It may be sticky because of the banana and Nutella – it shouldn’t be oily on the bottom though – perhaps not quite enough flour/dry ingredients were added?
Cynthhia says
Can I bake this as a bread instead of cupcakes?
Jessica Holmes says
Hi, try my Nutella Banana Bread recipe instead.
Josh says
So yum!
★★★★★
Beeta says
Oh yum!! Banana and chocolate are one of my favorite combinations!
Amy says
This is such a delicously awesome combination! I’ve been known to dip an afternoon snack banana into the jar of nutella for a hint of something sweet, but I think they would be much better off baked into a tasty treat together! I’m glad you are already enjoying the beach! We haven’t been yet, but we’ve got a family holiday at the sunshine coast coming up and I can’t wait! I can’t wait to see what you’ve baked up for Christmas!
Lynn says
I can’t believe I’ve never thought to put banana and Nutella together! I think I’ve been majorly missing out!
Jessica Holmes says
Eeeek you have Lynn, you have! #matchmadeinheaven
Karly says
Gosh, I love this place. Never have I ever left here without a severe sweet tooth, but I’m totally okay with it. My hubby is going to be head over heels for these things! Need to try them.
Jessica Holmes says
Hahaha that is very accurate way to describe this blog Karly! I’m totally ok with it too! 😉
Kristy says
A double nutella hit? Oooh my my these look good!
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks Kristy!
Amanda says
Nutella and banana is a wonderful combination. And I love the banana chip decoration on top!
Jessica Holmes says
Thanks Amanda! 🙂
Joanne says
Over a week ago, I started baking cookies. It saves a lot of time if I start a little early, and then freeze each batch. Your cupcakes look fantastic!
Jessica Holmes says
Wow you are so organised Joanne! That is awesome! 🙂