Banana Split Cupcakes
Author: 
 
Makes approximately 20 cupcakes if you're using a boxed mix (I know the box says 24, but those are pretty wimpy)...more if you use my scratch mix.
Ingredients
  • One batch prepared white cake mix
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
  • red food coloring (if desired)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon strong coffee (or substitute water)
  • ICING:
  • ½ cup (1 stick) softened butter
  • 4 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 2 medium bananas, ripe but not spotty. Cut out any dark spots and mash well.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 pounds powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
  • CHOCOLATE SHELL:
  • 10 ounces good quality dark chocolate (I use 70% cocoa)
  • 2 level tablespoons coconut oil
  • Maraschino cherries.
  • Sprinkles, if desired
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 F.
  2. Line two cupcake pans with paper or foil liners
  3. Separate cake mix evenly into 3 small bowls
  4. In the first bowl, add the strawberry jam and a couple of drops of food coloring and stir until mixed.
  5. In the second bowl, add the cocoa and coffee (or water) and stir until mixed.
  6. Add nothing to the third bowl.
  7. Using a separate teaspoon for each color, work with one cupcake at a time, dropping a spoonful of each color in the bottom of the cup, and then repeating for a second layer, varying the color (so vanilla goes on top of strawberry or chocolate). Fill each about ⅔ full. (Don't try to put all of one color in the cups at a time or the batter will level before the next color is added.)
  8. Bake 20 minutes. If toothpick comes out clean when inserted into a cupcake, remove from oven and cool completely on rack.
  9. ICING:
  10. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, mashed banana, and vanilla until well mixed - at least 1 minute.
  11. Slowly beat in 2 pounds of powdered sugar. When combined, turn speed to medium and beat for 1 minute.
  12. Add whipping cream and remaining powdered sugar and beat on medium for 2 minutes, or until thick and fluffy.
  13. Pipe a spiral of icing, beginning a little inside the edge of each cupcake top, and ending in the middle. Place cherry in the center of each cupcake. Working from the top, looking straight down at the cupcake, repeat the spiral, this time generously working around the cherry and ending in a peak, completely enclosing the cherry in icing. As each cupcake is done, place it on a baking sheet.
  14. Immediately place cupcakes in freezer for 1 hour.
  15. CHOCOLATE COATING:
  16. Break chocolate into small pieces. In a cup or small bowl in the microwave (or in small pan on the stove) slowly melt chocolate and coconut oil together. It's important to melt it very slowly at low heat.
  17. Stir very well.
  18. Remove cupcakes from the freezer and dip each into chocolate, bringing the chocolate all the way to the paper liner. Hold upside down until it quits dripping. Set on serving platter. (If you are using sprinkles, add them quickly before the chocolate hardens.)
  19. Serve immediately or keep chilled for best results.
Recipe by The Rowdy Baker at http://www.therowdybaker.com/?p=3731