Going Bananas

It’s not what you think.

I’m not whining, or complaining, or going out of my mind.

I’ve just been thinking a lot about bananas.

I *heart* bananas.

I have a banana with breakfast every day.

If it’s the last banana, I write my name on it, and put it aside so I’m sure I have one in the morning.

One time I forgot my banana at home on a day that I eat breakfast in my car, so I stopped off at the dreaded W*lmart to buy one (the only thing open at that hour of the day……..that sells bananas anyway.)

I also *heart* banana flavored candy (‘specially laffy taffys), and have been craving banana cream pie.

So…..

I went searching for ideas for a banana cream cupcake!

I finally decided on a banana cupcake, made with real bananas, filled with banana cream, and topped with a vanilla wafer streusel. But as I was assembling them, I realized I wasn’t going to be able to add the cream to the center because of the crunchy topping.  It woulda just crumbled and broke apart.  So I left them creamless and set them aside for breakfast muffins for the kids.  They loved them!

Banana Cupcake with Vanilla Wafer Streusel

Since it wasn’t the banana cream pie cupcake  I was envisioning, I went to work again.

This time, I settled on a recipe for vanilla cake, mixed with a box of banana pudding (unprepared). I baked them with a vanilla wafer lining the bottom.  Once baked, I filled them with banana pudding that I had prepared with a little less milk than called for so that it would be thicker.  Finally I topped the cupcake with a mixture of the leftover filling and whipped topping, and sprinkled vanilla wafer crumbs on top.

OMG.  They tasted just like banana cream pie!

Banana Cream Pie Cupcake

Success!

But that’s not all!  A long time ago I came across a recipe for banana maple pancake bites that I’ve been wanting to try!  These called for real bananas too, and the kids went ape over them!  (I hear the groans, but I had to say it….)

Mini Banana Maple Pancake Muffins

Now you can see why I haven’t been keeping up with bloggin’.

Or at least that’s the reason I’m hoping you believe…..