Dulce de Leche Filled Banana Cupcakes with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Have you ever heard Chris Young’s song “Voices?” It’s a country song about a guy that hears voices all the time, not wack-a-do voices like he’s crazy or anything, voices from all the important people in his life that remind him of who he is and where he came from. I have voices like that too. One that really stands out is my Ma’s. Like last Friday morning when I was informed at the last minute that my son needed to bring a cake for a charity auction that very evening. I ruffled through my stacks of dessert recipes, pulled out my laptop and scrolled through my bookmarks, and fantasized about what to bake. But then I heard Ma’s voice in my head saying, “Robin, go with what you know.” Thanks Ma. I did. I am coming to realize my Banana Cake is one of my specialties, especially when filled with Dulce de Leche and topped with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.

Look at those browned butter bits in there.

I started by baking my banana cupcakes and once baked and while still warm, I cut out a small cone from the top of each cupcake. I filled each well with 1 teaspoon Dulce de Leche, I like to use a baby spoon to do this, then popped the tops back on and pressed down so they would stay in place.

Using my super large 1M decorating star tip, I piped roses on to each cupcake and topped them with a Goetze’s Candy which makes a very cute ornament.

To make a rose, place your decorator tip in the center of the cupcake and circle outward three times. Be sure to use firm and even pressure, do not be stingy with the frosting. Practice on waxed paper if you must, you can always mix that practice frosting back into the bowl.

To make a bakery swirl, place your tip at the outer edge of the cupcake and swirl inward three times making a lovely star at the center. Kelly of Something Shiny shows the two different looks very nicely on her Tiffany Inspired Cupcakes- look at the 6th photo from the top.

I took three 8×8 inch bakery boxes and placed 4 cupcakes in each, stacked them one on top of the other for a very impressive TOWER-O-CUPCAKES. So that the cupcakes could be seen through the top box, I cut a heart shape out of it and taped a piece of cellophane on the inside of the heart shaped cut out.

I tied the boxes together using butcher string and affixed my label.

Let the bidding begin!

Banana Cupcakes
1/2 cup butter , softened
2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
2 eggs
1 t. salt
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/4 cup milk
1 t vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional- I did not add this time

Mix all ingredients on high speed in mixer for 2 minutes. Divide between 12 standard cupcake liners placed in a standard muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Dulce de Leche- One way to make dulce de leche is by taking a can of sweetened condensed milk and boiling it for a few hours by first removing its label and placing the can on its side in a large pot. Cover with water, about an inch over the can and cover pot. Bring to a boil then lower heat a bit and simmer for 4 hours. Be sure the can stays covered at all times with water. After 4 hours turn off heat and let the can cool. Mine did not explode and I even used a can with a pull-tab top. OR you can purchase canned Dulce de Leche, usually found in the Latin food isle of your grocery store or near the sweetened condensed milk.

Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature
1 t. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, heat butter and salt until browned. In a large bowl place cream cheese and pour browned butter over top and beat on high speed for about 1 minute until mixture is light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well between each addition until all the sugar is added and mixture is smooth. Makes about 5 cups frosting. You will have extra, this freezes well.

I use these Paper Ovenable Muffin Trays for all my cupcakes and muffins.

For more pretty roses, click over to i am baker for her beautiful Rose Cake. If you like pretty cakes, you may get lost in her site and never come out.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love is like powdered sugar, it gets all over the place.