Monkey Business
Check out the frosting on these banana cupcakes. Super smooth and creamy, cream cheese buttercream … so delicious and creamy. Did I mention creamy? I also used a little added yellow to tint the otherwise cream colored creamy cream cheese frosting … you know, just to enhance the senses. I’m tricky like that.
Banana Cupcakes
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large ripe banana (or almost 1 cup)
1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake tray with 12 baking cups.
- Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl with a wire whisk.
- Cream butter and sugar in a mixer for about four minutes.
- Add banana and mix until combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add half the flour in three additions alternating with milk in two additions. Scrape down the sides with each addition.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until done.
Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 box (1lb) of confectioner’s sugar
Buttercup yellow icing color (optional)
- Cream butter and cream cheese in mixer until thoroughly combined
- Add vanilla. Then Add sugar in small batches until combined and creamy.
- Add a small amount of buttercup yellow icing color to frosting and mix.
Now you can eat them just like this or …
Party them up a little bit with small pastel colored confetti sprinkles … just because it’s that kind of day.
But, these banana cupcakes need something else… something to keep them company.
A little friend maybe?
Yes definitely.
But my little monkey needs a friend, too.
So this little piggy and teddy joined in on the fun.
And so did my favorite martian, robot and bumblebee.
My head is actually going to explode from all this cuteness.
Could these be any more adorable? Look at that bumblebee bottom.
Why yes, yes they can! These cupcake toppers are also candleholders. I’m officially in love here.
And it gets even better. They want to be your friends, too. Not these, they’re mine. All mine.
But these could be all yours.
When I bought these cutie pies from the Lollipop Workshop on etsy (also be cheery on flickr), I bought enough for two more sets. And I want two of you to have one. Well I want all of you to have them, but I only have two sets to give away. (Martian and Robot colors may vary from above.)
All you have to do to enter is give me some advice.
You see, Lollipop Workshop also sent me something else … A surprise … when she mailed the cupcake toppers.
I’m 10000000% certain it will be crazy cute!
It’s in this box and I haven’t opened it yet.
Why?
Because she also sent this box for my little helper. So sneaky and sweet of her.
So the question is…
Should I wait until my niece visits again so we can open them together?
Should I rip open mine now and show you what’s inside?
Should I open both of them? I could re-wrap ’em and no one would be the wiser.
But I do like surprises. Hmmmm… tortured by sweetness.
Okay, so you know I’m really gonna wait, right.
But, I’m just curious – what would you do?
- Leave your answer in the comment section below and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a set of assorted cupcake toppers from Lollipop Workshop.
- Make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win.
- Deadline to enter is
Tuesday, August 18th at 5 p.m.TIME’S UP! - Two winners* will be picked at random and announced sometime Tuesday evening on this post.
*Winners will be chosen using the random.org integer generator.
Good Luck!
And, here’s some more cuteness from Lollipop Workshop. Custom cake toppers, lollidolls and candleholders. The store sells out quickly when she adds new products, so just send her a message if you need a custom order.
Okay, Time’s up and here are the two winners
#1619 – Elle
#831 – The Pettit Family
Congrats! You’re getting some super cute cupcake toppers!
I think you should wait and open them together. A surprise is twice as much fun when you get to share it!!
Jen
jenc at crazysummer dot org
I say overnight hers to her – and open via Skype. You're killing us here!
I love surprises so I'm thinking wait until your neice comes to visit…or make a road trip to see her!
OH, You know you just HAVE to wait. But it won't be easy! Maybe you should hide them, ot invite her over RIGHT AWAY!
You'd better wait. It will make a wonderful visit even more special!
You'd better wait. It will make a wonderful visit even more special!
Definitely wait, if you can help it! They're clearly a pair. That said, if I were you, I'd be demanding a visit tomorrow. :)
i am known in my family as "the christmas sneak" for an unfortunate incident one dec. 25 when my brother and i were caught opening presents before anyone else was awake. so…yes. i would OPEN them and peek!
I think you should wait. I wouldn't be able to, but you should.
It would be super cute and sweet if you waited for your niece, but personally if I were you I would open mine now because I'm super impatient like that. XD;;; But definitely leave her's for her!
Definitely wait and open them together! I know how hard it will be to wait though…I think you're allowed to shake the box and do a little investigation!
i think you should definetly wait for your niece to come…it will be nice…i no i would want someone to wait and make sure you post what it is
velezchelsea@ymail.com
Wait, wait, wait……..
I vote for opening it now, taking a quick peek then re wrapping it for your niece. Now one will be the wiser!
Hi
They are just so adorable! I know I couldn't (I am terrible with surprises, even though I love them) but I think you should wait and open them together ;) much more special xx
Bel xx
If it were only me, I'd open mine immediately… but as there is a little helper, I would hide it far away for my own safety, and open the boxes together. Would indeed be more fun!
ohhh, wait for sure!! It'll be so much more fun!!!!! I'm dying to know what's in there though!
aaronsky@telus.net
Definitely wait (however I would have to have someone hide the gifts from me because the temptation would be too great…those toppers are ADORABLE I can just imagine what is on the inside).
jeanabird@hotmail.com
I think you should wait for your neice – she will probably feel special that you did!
I would open your box to see what is inside, but leave the one for your niece when she comes to visit. Oh, those toppers are just so sweet!!
Sue
thorman@mac.com
How fun! I would open yours, and then save your niece's present until she comes to visit again. I'm sure she won't mind if you open your present… :)
teamsugden.blogspot.com
I would wait!!! Then you can get all excited together and open them, and compare goodies! Your little helper might be disappointed to find out that you already opened yours without her. Plus, if you open yours and show her what it is… what if when she opens hers, it's the exact same thing, and not nearly as exciting?!
Also… the little martian is SO SO PRECIOUS!
Ellysa
(bicyclemadefortwo@gmail.com)
WAIT for your niece! It's so much more fun to share silly, fun, wonderful surprises with someone special.
ggmommy@charter.net
i would NOT be able to wait to open MY surprise! :) so… i would say open yours and then let your neice open hers! :) unless you want to be a really cool aunt and wait to open them together… :(
I'm a lady who just can't wait. It is a curse I have had since a little girl!!! Genetic really, my mom has the same problem.
I say rip into (and then rewrap it again to be opened with your neice). It is just as fun as the first time and the second time you can enjoy the look on her face when she opens hers.
If it were my present I would probably wait, however it would definitely depend on how long it would be until I saw my helper again…hmmm…I don't know…Tough call!
I'd wait for the helper to come visit… maybe find a way to make her visit sooner rather than later… but I'd wait for her.
I can't even stand to wait for toast to pop up so I would have opened it already. When your niece comes, let her open hers without telling her what was in yours, then she'll still be surprised :)
wait, wait, wait…'till your niece comes :o)
p.s. I know it's really hard :o)
Aarrggghhh! I so hate packages that I want to open. You should wait, but go right over and get your neice RIGHT NOW.
I think you should open them with your niece…that way you'll both be surprised!
– Nikki
mrsb912@yahoo.com
:)
oh i would would……WAIT the surprise will be that much sweeter!!!
heather @ noiseevents dot com
i WOULD be sooo tempted to rip mine open, but like many others have said (and you yourself) I'd probably wait.
My advice is to wait until your neice visits again, it'll amke everything more special, but take pit=ctures as you are opening them and post them for all of us to see ASAP, haha!
ALthough it would be terribly tempting, I'd most definetly wait :)
Wow – cream cheese AND butter cream icing! Amazing…
sez_wastney@hotamil.com
I'd sneak a peek..if I was sneaky enough, but I can't. So if I had a little helper I'd wait for her & have a present opening contest w/her..and see who can open the presents the fastest ;DD
it's a skill that comes in handy during christmas :3
kkumadesu@yahoo.com
I don't think I could wait….a wrapped present doesn't stay wrapped long with me :) I would open it!!!
I would wait until my niece visited! It would be so much fun to open them together!
~Really Rainey~
In my younger years… I would have taken a sharp knife to the tape and had a peak and then taped back at the same place. At my current age… probably the same. :) Guess it all depends on when your niece is coming over next. Glad to see someone else has more self control than I. Can't wait to find out what is inside.
I think you should call her on skype and open it for her/with her. ks4tea@yahoo.com
If it were me, I'd wait for the little helper. I know my kids love to open up presents, even if it's not for them.
I'd wait!
I know it's hard to resist but don't open them!! Wait for your helper…hope she comes soon though because I can't wait to see what's inside!
the suspense is killing me! and it's not even mine. i would never wait to open it.
I think you should wait…how fun it will be! :)
And those are absolutely adorable!
Wait for your little helper! It may seem a littler torturous for you, but the excitement of sharing the moment of unwrapping with her will be a great payoff in the end!
You know how you feel on Christmas morning when you look back at that one gift your parents let you open on Christmas Eve night and you would do almost anything to have that moment of anticipating excitement back? DON"T DO IT!!! Wait for your niece!!!
Okay, so my suggestion is that you open the one for you.. just in case it is something for some more baking goodness. And if it is, you can be prepared for when your little helper opens hers.. you guys can get right to baking and using it!
That would be my excuse for opening it anyway.. "I needed to see if it was something that I needed to get additional 'accessories' for…" lol
call her on skype and open them both in front of her. ks4tea@yahoo.com
If it were me I would wait just so we could share in the excitement and also to see each others surprised faces when you open the box. You just can't fake that.
Hi Bakerella, I am Krissi. I've got a cool idea for you ….I have a niece that comes to visit and bake with me every year at Christmas. We do this same thing to each other.. We send special gifts to each other with instructions to not open till we meet again, suspense!!!! It drives me crazy, her to. We even check in and tell each other to WAIT!!!! So this is what you should do….Call her and tell her to hurry up and come over so the two of you can have a special party, like a double birthday party and open them together. Not only will the surprises be fantastic, but think of the memories the two of you have to share even if the items in the box don't last as long. What a surprise, fantastic. :) Have a blessed evening, Krissi Copeland
open them, peak and re-wrap. That is the only way to get through things like this!
alisad26@gmail.com
OOOOH! I don't like the suspense, but at the same time I do. Go ahead and wait until your neice gets there. It'll be fun for the both of you to open them at the same time!!! Must see pics!!!!
~Melanie
brettnmel2004@yahoo.com
Oh, PLEASE wait. You'll enjoy the surprise so much more when you share it with your precious niece.
Those toppers are so cute!! I can't wait to see what is in the box, really hope you'll take pics of the grand opening!
As much as I like to think I'd be able to wait to open them I'm not sure I could do it. Well not unless I went to collect my little helper imediatley so the boxes could be opened right now lol! Really think you should wait though as it would be fun to open them together :-)
Should you wait to open them? Of course. Would I? Hell no. I'm both extremely curious and extremely impatient. No way those would last long around me. I'd re-wrap them, or hers at least, but I wouldn't be able to help myself from knowing what's inside.
Wait for your little helper, but I would try to see her as soon as possible.
Oohhh I would open them. I can't stand the suspense as it is!
I know everyone is going to say wait… and you should. Would I? No way!!
marlethabooker@yahoo.com
Surprises are even more fun when they are shared – definitely wait!
as much as it would kill me too I would wait… then the minute, the second she steps into your house, rip them open and show us what inside, cause it''s killing us too
You HAVE to wait for the little helper! You would feel terrible if you opened them without her. Even if you wrapped them back up and tried to act surprised when she opened hers, it just wouldn't work.
You just have to wait! It will be worth it!
As much as it would pain me to do so, I would wait and share the excitement with your niece…I think it will definitely be worth the wait to see her face as she's opening hers!
Wait and open them together!! Imagine the look on your "little helper's" face when she sees what's in them and finds out that you waited for her. Take pictures! I'd love to find out what was in them.
steam them open and then seal them back shut!! none will be the wiser!
bryce_allison@hotmail.com
Wait till your niece comes. Set up your camera to record so it can capture both ur expressions. I can't wait to see what's inside also!
Tina
isabellasmomndad@yahoo.com
I could not wait. I'd open at least mine…. I'm bad like that.
Me??? I would want to rip into them straight away……but I would wait. sigh.
I think you should open yours now and then wait and let your niece open hers when she next comes. Fun now and fun later!
Oooooooh! The suspense will kill, but it's so worth it for you to wait for your niece! It'll be a lovely treat. :D
My email is wumples (at) gmail (dot) com.
Not going to lie, I would NEVER be able to wait :) mine would have been opened already! but I would leave the little helper hers. Don't want to ruin her surprise! jennie ljabinckley@yahoo.com
Not going to lie, I would NEVER be able to wait :) mine would have been opened already! but I would leave the little helper hers. Don't want to ruin her surprise! jennie ljabinckley@yahoo.com
Not going to lie, I would NEVER be able to wait :) mine would have been opened already! but I would leave the little helper hers. Don't want to ruin her surprise! jennie ljabinckley@yahoo.com
Wait for your niece. It will be ten times more fun opening it with her than having to pretend to be surprised when she opens it after you've seen it.
i would wait, delay of pleasure and all that suspense will make it all the more exciting.
klutzetort AT hotmal DOT com
I like to think I would wait, but I don't know if I would have the self-control. How long is the visit, I could probably do a day or two…
I say open them together! :) And document with pictures!
linda_nguyen_ at hotmail.com
OOOHHH! Ive been lurking around here for awhile. These drove me out! So cute! I think you would be happier waiting for your neice, double the excitement!!! The yellow tint is spot on too!!!!
I say wait- a surprise is always better when it is shared!
Oooh suspense! I say wait and open yours along with your niece! I'm betting you'll be able to make something wonderful together :)
Totally wait! And don't peek in the corner…even though it is really tempting!
z_megan1@hotmail.com
I think you should wait. I don't like how it feels when a surprise is ruined. Please wait. I know it will be worth it. WAIT!!
I would totally open them up!! (and rewrap them of course) I'm terrible with suprises. jaymissy1@hotmail.com
I never could handle the wait! I say….rip tear into yours and wait till your nece comes to visit for hers. Yay! Instant gratification AND suspense!
You should definitely wait for your niece to come! The suspense will just add to the excitement of seeing her when you actually get to open the packages with her, too!
I would open them with your niece when she arrives…things are always more fun opening them up with someone else.. thanks for the giveaway..that is so sweet of you! whatever you decide, I am sure it will be the right choice for you! Hugs, Linda
You should wait.
Not saying that is what I would do.
But
You are a nicer person than me !!
Hugs
Sher
I guess I'm not as nice as the other commenters. I would be too excited about my surprise that I'd open it right away. Then I'd save the one of the niece and enjoy watching her open it when she came again.
I would wait :D It would be hard, but I would wait because I know how special it would make me feel knowing you waited for me!
I think I would call your gorgeous little helper and say you have a present waiting for her…and ask her what she thinks you should do:)
Those are just too adorable. I agree, wait. Hide them somewhere, but then don't forget you have them (not that that has ever happened to me :) I'm not great at waiting, either.
I would open yours and hers, show us both of them, rewrap hers and take a picture of her opening hers and show us! But that's just me…
Ok, first I am a little annoyed because I just was looking for a good banana cupcake recipe a couple of days ago and ended up making ones that were not that tasty!!! I will definitely try these soon. And, I hate to admit that it would be really hard for me not to open both surprises. Of course you should wait though. Are you sure you won't even peek…
email – kdbrew@shaw.ca
***ha! as if I will ever win*** Congratulations to whomever is so lucky!!
oh my goodness, you honestly have to wait wait wait! it will make the present just that much more exciting :D
You better open it, it might be edible. SO SO CUTE!!
jillybean_W@Hotmail.com
RIP IT OPEN!!! (but save the one for your niece) Presents are meant to be ransacked and enjoyed!
tivopieces.com
I'm bad…I would sneak a peek and then rewrap.
You should just open them! And then wrap them up again!!!
It is so difficult, as I am tortured by surprises. My brain goes all mushy, and that is all I can think about, until I normally give in, and take a peek. Though on this occasion there is another surprise, sooooooooooo, wait, and have it together, then the anticipation will be doubled, and the surprise even more exciting. XX
first of all, how sweet for her to give you a gift AND your little helper??? so considerate! sometimes people still pleasantly surprise me with their generosity and that is truly awesome. I say totally wait of course, half the fun of a surprise is sharing the excitement (usually with the giver but in this case, a fellow suprisee)Can't wait to see it! Who doesnt love a good intrigue???
website: http://www.artisancakecompany.com
contact link is on website