These banana cupcakes with cherry and white chocolate are a lovely alternative to a traditional party cupcake. There’s no frosting to smear over little faces and party clothes, and the mashed banana brings natural sweetness plus a bit of extra fibre. They’re a nice one to bake with kids too, since the batter comes together in one saucepan with no electric mixer needed.
This recipe is adapted from How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 125g unsalted butter
- 200g sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 60ml sour cream or natural yoghurt
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 300g plain flour
- 40g dried cherries, chopped (you could substitute dried cranberries or even raisins)
- 50g white chocolate, chopped, or use chips or buttons
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a muffin tin with paper or silicone cases.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan big enough to eventually hold all the batter. Off the heat, add the sugar, vanilla and mashed bananas.
3. Stir in the sour cream or yoghurt and the eggs and beat to mix with a wooden spoon. Stir in the baking soda and baking powder, then add the flour, cherries and chocolate.
4. Mix until everything is just blended (don’t overmix!), then divide the mixture between the 12 muffin cases.
5. Cook for 20 minutes, until golden and springy on top and a tester comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes in their papers to a wire rack and leave till cool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different dried fruit instead of cherries?
Yes — dried cranberries or raisins both work well as a swap for the dried cherries in this recipe.
Can I use natural yoghurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, the recipe works with either sour cream or natural yoghurt, so use whichever you have to hand.
How should I store the cupcakes?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll stay fresh for a few days. Since there’s no frosting, they also travel well in a lunchbox or party bag.
Are these suitable for a kids’ party?
Yes — that’s exactly why we love them. Without a layer of frosting, they’re far less messy for little hands to eat than a traditional decorated cupcake.
You Might Also Enjoy
If you liked this recipe, take a look at our Easy Party Cupcakes recipe, or browse more party food ideas for your next celebration.
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