Chocolate Banana Cupcakes in a Flash

Yesterday I was feeling a bit antsy (writing for 2 solid hours will do that to ya) and was suddenly struck with the desire to bake.  The only problem was, I didn’t have much time.  Because going on an outdoorsy run was on the afternoon schedule and there was no way I was taking a rain check because it was perfect running weather (aka cloud cover, moderate temps and no wind).

So I consulted my dear dear friend, Foodgawker.  Because when you need a recipe, Foodgawker is the ultimate place to go.

I came across a chocolate banana cupcake recipe within a matter of seconds and had everything it called for on hand.  A trip to the grocery store was not an option!

I used this recipe and made the following modifications:

• 1/2 cup sugar instead of a full cup
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder instead of 3/8 cup (what kind of measurement is that anyways?!)
• almond milk instead of moo cow milk
• no canola oil
  

**I didn’t use oil simply because I forgot, but if I were to make these again I would use the oil to increase the moistness level.

Excuse the blind shadows, like I said, I was in a hurry 🙂

I was praying that these didn’t fall like a certain red cupcake I know.

And when they didn’t I breathed a giant sigh of relief.  Really.

In fact, just the opposite occurred.  Check out that cupcake giant in the front row!

Oooh, baby!

Although the recipe also came with a peanut butter brown sugar butter cream frosting recipe, I opted to use another peanut butter-less recipe.  Why, you ask?  Remember how my nut butter supply is dwindling? Yeah, that’s why.

This problem will be taken care of tomorrow.  Promise.

I used this frosting recipe, except I halved it and reduced the sugar to 1/4 cup.  Note to self, if you mix butter cream frosting by hand and in a rush, the butter won’t fully mix/melt.  Ooops.

Oh and contrary to popular belief, a ziplock bag totally functions as a frosting gun.

What I learned from this experience:

• Cupcakes can successfully be made in under an hour
• I need a mixer.  Just kidding those are expensive…
• Pay attention, even if you’re in a rush, lest you forget an ingredient
• No pastry bag, no problem!
• Older bananas mash much easier than new ones…
• It doesn’t matter how subpar you think you’re baked goods are, when you bring cupcakes into work, everyone will jump all over you to get one.  Or two.  Or three.

P.S. I wanted to ask you all what you think about blog posting schedules.  Do you post at the same time everyday.  Are you more apt to read a blog that posts at the same time daily?

Happy Thursssday!