Two Peas and Their Pod

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting & Sweet Designs Giveaway

Today is an exciting day! Amy Atlas’s book,  Sweet Designs, hits the book shelves. I got my book last week and I am in love! Amy’s book is filled with over 175 recipes and dessert displays that are easy to create at home. There are so many fun and creative ideas in Sweet Designs, I want to have a party every day! Amy’s dessert tables are fabulous! I didn’t have time to create an entire table yet, but soon! I couldn’t wait to try one of Amy’s recipes though-the book is filled with lots and lots of sugary sweets. My kind of book:) I made Amy’s Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, one of the recipes included in the Pastel Pretty party. I love all things pastel and Amy’s Pastel Pretty Party is perfection…and so are the Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting.

The banana cupcakes are simple to make, which makes them perfect party food. The banana cupcakes are super moist thanks to the bananas and sour cream and are topped with cream cheese frosting. These classic cupcakes are sure to be a hit at any party. Amy jazzes the cupcakes up with licorice pastel candies. Since I still have multiple bags of Easter M&M’s lying around the house, I used Easter M&M’s. I knew loading up on the after Easter candy sales would come in handy:)

The Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are a reason to have a party on their own, but Amy’s Pastel Pretty table is filled with pretty pastel treats. A few of the sweets include: vanilla cake, pound cake bites, sugar cookies, eclairs, and cotton candy sticks. Oh, and did I mention Amy created a tablecloth made with Necco Wafers? Genius! I can’t wait to have my own Pastel Pretty party!

Sweet Designs is filled with lots of party planning ideas, crafts,  recipes, and tips. All of the dessert tables are spectacular! And don’t worry if you are not crafty or creative, Amy makes party planning easy! So before you plan your next party, pick up a copy of Sweet Designs. Amy will help make your party a smashing success!

UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed! The winner is Kelly @ Studio DIY (#149). Thanks to everyone who entered! 

And good news-we are giving away a copy of Sweet Designs to one lucky reader!  Yahoo!

To enter to win a copy of Sweet Designs, leave a comment on this post telling us “What is your favorite kind of party to throw? (birthday, Super Bowl, 4th of July, Halloween, New Year’s Eve, etc.)

To earn additional entries, leave separate comments for each of the steps below:

1. Tweet about this giveaway using the following tweet: “I want to win a copy of @amyatlas ‘s amazing new book, Sweet Designs, from @TwoPeasandPod: http://bit.ly/JrAcq6

2. Share the link to this giveaway post on your Facebook page.

3. Follow Two Peas and Their Pod on Pinterest.

The giveaway is open until Friday, April 27th, 11:59 MST. The giveaway is only open to U.S. residents (18 years old or older). Be sure a valid email address is included with your comment(s). Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on this post. We will email the winner and if the winner doesn’t respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

Now, go buy the book, start party planning, and make these Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. They are delicious! And make sure you check out these fabulous blog posts about Sweet Designs from some of my favorite food blogging friends!  You are in for a real treat-more tasty recipes and giveaways are in store!

Amy Atlas is kindly providing a copy of Sweet Designs for this giveaway, but our opinions are our own. 

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Cook Time: 18-20 minutes

Banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting-perfect for parties or an every day treat!

Ingredients:

For the banana cupcakes:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
2 ripe medium bananas, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioner's sugar
Pastel candy or sprinkles for decorating, optional ( I used Easter M&M's)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and continue to beat, adding one egg at a time until thoroughly combined. Add the sour cream and bananas and mix until combined.

2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add flour mixture to the mixer and beat until just smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat until just combined.

3. Fill each cup about 2/3 of the way full with the batter and bake, rotating halfway through, until the cupcakes are golden and a cake tester inserted int he middle comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

4. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the frosting onto each cupcake. Using an offset spatula and holding the cupcake in your hand, spread the frosting on in swirls by turning the cupcake in your hand. Ring each cupcake with pastel candies or sprinkles, if using. Serve immediately or store in an air tight container and refrigerate up to 3 days.

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852 Responses to “Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting & Sweet Designs Giveaway”

  1. 121
    Kimberly Anderson — April 24, 2012 @ 10:57 am

    I love to throw Halloween parties, they are my favorite!!

  2. 122
    Kimberly Anderson — April 24, 2012 @ 10:58 am

    Already following you on Pinterest!

  3. 123
    Krista — April 24, 2012 @ 10:59 am

    I love to throw any party that brings friends and family together with great food… But if I had to choose my fav, it would probably be a birthday bbq (a lot of summer birthdays in our family).

  4. 124
    Lacey — April 24, 2012 @ 10:59 am

    My favorite kind of party to throw is fourth of july! The treats you can make are endless!

  5. 125
    Ashley Randall — April 24, 2012 @ 11:00 am

    Being that my husband, brother, dad and grandpa are all military veterans….I love throwing 4th of July parties to celebrate the sacrifices these strong, important men in my life have made to protect me and my freedom.

  6. 126
    Nikki Andress — April 24, 2012 @ 11:01 am

    I love to do football game watching parties every saturday durring the fall. War Eagle!

  7. Pingback: Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas

  8. 127
    Amanda L — April 24, 2012 @ 11:03 am

    My Favorite kind of party to throw are birthday parties.

  9. 128
    Ashley Randall — April 24, 2012 @ 11:03 am

    Now following you on pinterest!

  10. 129
    Jennie P. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:03 am

    I love planning birthday parties! I have two little girls and making their day special is so rewarding for me.

  11. 130
    Amanda L — April 24, 2012 @ 11:03 am

    I follow Two Peas and their Pod on Pintrest

  12. 131
    Amanda L — April 24, 2012 @ 11:03 am

    I follow Two Peas and their Pod on Facebook!

  13. 132
    Jennie P. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:04 am

    Now following you on pinterest!

  14. 133
    diane — April 24, 2012 @ 11:04 am

    Love throwing the summer parties – Memorial day, 4th of July or labor day! Thanks Maria!

  15. 134
    Cindi — April 24, 2012 @ 11:04 am

    Love to do birthday parties!!

  16. 135
    Averie @ Averie Cooks — April 24, 2012 @ 11:07 am

    I pinterest follow you

  17. 136
    Averie @ Averie Cooks — April 24, 2012 @ 11:08 am

    fave kind is a Xmas party…there’s never a shortage of sweets & happy times!

  18. 137
    Jennifer W. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:10 am

    I like throwing birthday parties because you can design each party specifically for the guest of honor. Creating a unique celebration is so much fun!

  19. 138
    Jennifer W. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:12 am

    I follow you on Pinterest!

  20. 139
    Emily S. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:14 am

    I love throwing girls night in parties! The perfect excuse to get my nearest and dearest together, eat, catch up and have a care free night!

  21. 140
    katherine — April 24, 2012 @ 11:15 am

    Birthday parties for my three girls =)

  22. 141
    Gwyn M — April 24, 2012 @ 11:15 am

    I love every kind of party…it’s really the reason I love holidays, birthdays, weddings, babies, you name it!

  23. 142
    Pam Davis — April 24, 2012 @ 11:16 am

    I enjoy having big birthday parties for my girls. Halloween Parties are lots of fun to throw too!

  24. 143
    Kari — April 24, 2012 @ 11:18 am

    My favorite parties to throw are just simple dinner parties or a good barbeque.

  25. 144
    Julie W. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:18 am

    I love birthday parties! They are the best!

  26. 145
    Julie W. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:18 am

    I follow Two Peas & Their Pod on Pinterest!

  27. 146
    Amanda H. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:19 am

    Cinco de Mayo as of now, but we’ll start hosting birthday parties for my dauther at her next bday (3) and sure that will become my favorite!

  28. 147
    Amanda H. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:19 am

    I also follow you on Pinterest.

  29. 148
    Marci — April 24, 2012 @ 11:23 am

    I love throwing summer BBQ’s!

  30. 149
    Kelly @ Studio DIY — April 24, 2012 @ 11:24 am

    Definitely birthday parties, the options are endless!!

  31. 150
    caitlin — April 24, 2012 @ 11:24 am

    i love throwing random themed parties – like just having a dinner party and making it mexican themed with all meixcan food, music, dessert, drinks, etc. themes make everything more fun!

  32. 151
    Kelly @ Studio DIY — April 24, 2012 @ 11:24 am

    Just followed on Pinterest as well… YUM!

  33. 152
    Tiffany — April 24, 2012 @ 11:24 am

    Birthday Parties! It’s fun to do something different every year.

  34. 153
    Marsha — April 24, 2012 @ 11:25 am

    I LOVE to throw Tea Parties!

  35. 154
    Tiffany — April 24, 2012 @ 11:25 am

    I also follow you on pinterest!

  36. 155
    sydney85 — April 24, 2012 @ 11:26 am

    I love New Year’s Eve parties. A fresh start for a new year.

  37. 156
    sydney85 — April 24, 2012 @ 11:27 am

    I follow you on pinterest.

  38. 157
    Angela R. — April 24, 2012 @ 11:28 am

    My favorite kind of party to throw is definitely New Years.

  39. 158
    Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — April 24, 2012 @ 11:32 am

    My favorite kind of party to throw is the kind with laughter and good food ;) Birthdays, holidays… I’m game. btw I love the pastel candies you added! So cute.

  40. 159
    Margaret — April 24, 2012 @ 11:33 am

    I love surprise birthday parties because it’s all about one person and I like making them feel extra-special!

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