Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes Recipe

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Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes Recipe

It’s no secret that I love peanut butter and banana together. In fact, I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to the two flavors! So when I was thinking of recipes for my blog, I knew that I had to include a peanut butter banana cupcake. This recipe is so easy to make and it tastes amazing. The dense-but-soft peanut butter banana cake pairs perfectly with my chocolate peanut butter frosting, and the Reese’s Cup surprise on the bottom makes them even better! If you are looking for a delicious and easy cupcake recipe, then you need to try these Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes.

You are going to love these Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes. Not only because of the flavorful, dense-but-soft peanut butter banana cake. But because of how well the cake pairs with my chocolate peanut butter frosting and the Reese’s Cup surprise on the bottom!

Peanut Butter Cup Banana Cupcakes Recipe

This recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes is a collision of my Reese’s Cup Banana Bread with this Chocolate Glazed Banana Cake with this completely indulgent Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting piled high on top.


Let’s Talk About These Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes

✓ Texture: My goal was to make sure these cupcakes didn’t turn out dense like muffins or banana bread, which can be difficult when you’re using bananas in a baked recipe– but it can be done! You’ll get soft, cake-like banana cupcakes every time by doing these things: A) bringing your cold ingredients to room temperature before mixing, B) using real buttermilk (not a homemade substitute), and C) using oil instead of butter.

Flavor: It was also really important to me that both the peanut butter flavor and the banana flavor each held their own in these cupcakes. They are both bold and dominant flavors, but they harmonize perfectly in this recipe and pair well with the chocolate frosting on top.

Skill Level: I rarely post a recipe that isn’t achievable for even the most novice home chef, and these peanut butter banana cupcakes are no exception. Use ripe bananas, bring your  cold ingredients to room temperature, follow the step-by-step directions in this post, and you’ll get soft and fluffy cupcakes with a delicious, fork-tender crumb.

Peanut Butter Cup Banana Cupcakes Recipe

1-2-3 Recipe Tips for Success

  Mashing the Bananas. I make a lot of banana treats, including: my mom’s famous chocolate chip banana bread, Banana Biscoff Donuts, and banana pancakes with peanut butter syrup. Here’s my #1 tip: use a whisk or a your mixer to mash the bananas!  It makes the process a no brainer, and then you can just add your other ingredients straight into the same bowl without dirtying a separate dish. A sturdy fork works well  for mashing too as long as your bananas are very ripe.

Use Overripe Bananas. The perfect bananas for baking are a little soft with lots and lots of brown spots. This means the banana is sweet and will mash well (without a lot of lumps). 

 Bring Cold Ingredients to Room Temperature. If you want soft and fluffy cupcakes, this step is a must. If you forget to set ingredients out on the counter ahead of time, there are still ways of bringing their temperature down. Place eggs in a bowl of warm water to quickly bring them to room temperature. For ingredients like sour cream and Greek yogurt, I will sometimes place them in a ziplock bag and weigh them down in a bowl of warm water. Once the temperature is right, I just snip a corner of the bag and squeeze the contents into the mixing bowl.

Peanut Butter Cup Banana Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients Overview

Here is a list of the main ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. You probably have most of them already on hand!

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking soda and baking powder
  • bananas
  • peanut butter
  • vegetable oil
  • both brown sugar and granulated sugar
  • buttermilk (not a substitute)
  • eggs
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter frosting

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Peanut Butter Cup Banana Cupcakes Recipe
Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting is rich and indulgent, but it’s also light and creamy at the same time. It pipes and spreads like a dream, and it tastes ridiculously good. I used this  Ateco Open Star Tip for these cupcakes.

It’s chocolate and peanut butter, but not in an in-your-face kind of way. The peanut butter isn’t subtle, per se. But you won’t be dying for a glass of milk after one taste if you know what I mean. It’s so light and fluffy that the peanut butter chocolate combo doesn’t overwhelm your tastebuds. 

Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes Recipe

I think you are going to love these cupcakes! And if banana isn’t your thing, you could try this same concept using my chocolate cupcake or vanilla cupcake recipes instead!


More Recipes Like This One

Peanut Butter Banana Cupcake FAQ

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the cupcakes up to two days in advance. Just keep them stored covered at room temperature. The frosting can also be made a day in advance and stored covered in the fridge. When ready to serve, bring to room temperature and then frost the cupcakes.

Can I use a different kind of peanut butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can use any type of peanut butter that you prefer. If it is a natural or unsalted variety, you may want to adjust the salt amount in the frosting accordingly.

What if I do not have Reese’s Cups? Can I use something else?

Yes, you can omit the Reese’s Cup if desired. You could also add any other candy bar in its place, although it may change the flavor of the cupcake slightly.

What if my batter is too thick or runny? How can I fix it?

If your batter is too thick, you can add a little more milk until it reaches the desired consistency. If the batter is too thin, you can add more flour one tablespoon at a time until it thickens up. Be sure to mix well after each addition.

Peanut Butter Cup Banana Cupcakes Recipe

Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes Recipe

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

You are going to love these Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes. Not only because of the flavorful, dense-but-soft peanut butter banana cake. But because of how well the cake pairs with my chocolate peanut butter frosting and the Reese's Cup surprise on the bottom!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 overripe bananas
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt, room temperature
  • 24 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped
  • 1 recipe Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting (linked below)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl (like a stand mixer bowl), mash the bananas. Add the peanut butter, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and mix well.
  3. Add the buttermilk, eggs, and Greek yogurt. Mix well.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix just until batter forms, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed.
  5. Line a muffin tin with paper liners, and place a Reese's Cup in the bottom of each one.
  6. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter on top of the peanut butter cup for each cupcake.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  8. Let cool completely before adding the Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting.

I hope you enjoy these Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes as much as my family and friends do! And don’t forget to come back for the recipe. Have a great day!

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18 thoughts on “Peanut Butter Banana Cupcakes Recipe”

  1. OMG I just saw the last movie and I’m SO sad! I get like that with series too. I think my child watched more TV during my reading of the Twilight series than in her whole 4 years prior.

    I’m glad you liked the bread, and I’m VERY glad you turned it into these cupcakes. MAN they look GOOD!

    {Oh, and I have that same fabric remnant and that same cake platter, but in pink. LOL We were meant to be BFFs.}

  2. Oh holy goodness!!!! That cupcake has me drooling! I seriously puffy heart love peanut butter, banana, and chocolate….especially when all three are together in one amazing cupcake! Kudos on the hidden pb cup…I love it:-)

  3. I have a series for you to read. It’s by Terry Goodkind and the series is called Sword of Truth. The first book is Wizard’s First Rule. It’s wonderful! This series made me love scifi/fantasy.

  4. Two things I love, bananas combined with peanut butter and chocolate and a good book series. Maybe in that order. And now, after reading this post, I just want to stuff my face with both. For hours. Pinning!

  5. Why is your frosting chocolatey-lookin if you only used peanut butter? Did you add some cocoa to the frosting mix?

  6. Ashton, this is lovely. It would be great if you linked it to Food on Friday: Muffins & Cupcakes. The showcases from this Food on Friday have not yet been selected. This link will take you to my home page where you will find a sidebar with links to all the different Food on Fridays. So that I know you have linked and can be sure to pin to the board I have for each one, please do leave a short comment. Cheers

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