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The Best Banana Bread with Mascarpone Cream Frosting

When my adult son was younger, and living at home, I'd whip up this recipe as muffins for a morning snack. They are a one-bowl-wonder to bake. I recently baked this recipe as a loaf, so this recipe is versatile. With the muffins, I didn't frost them. As a loaf, I did frost the
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Keyword Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Cream Frosting
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 12 Muffins
Author Debby - www.AFeastfortheEyes.net

Ingredients

MUFFINS:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ripe bananas peeled and coarsely mashed

FROSTING (Optional)

  • 3 ounces cream cheese or mascarpone cream room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature, 3/4 stick
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts toasted, optional

Instructions

Muffins:

  • Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
    Likewise, grease and flour one loaf pan (I use Bakers Joy nonstick baking spray)
  • Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl to blend.
  • Beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl to blend. Stir in the banana. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until blended.
  • Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, or into the prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake the muffins (or loaf) on the middle rack until the tops are golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out with no crumbs attached, about 25 minutes.
  • Transfer the muffins to a rack and cool slightly. The muffins may be eaten warm or cooled completely and frosted.

To frost the cupcakes:

  • Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the cream cheese (or mascarpone) and then beat in the honey.
  • Spread the frosting over the muffins. Sprinkle with the walnuts.

Notes

Recipe source: Food Network
NOTE: Neufachtel Cheese (lowfat cream cheese) can be used for the frosting to decrease calories.