Rum and Banana Muffins

Rum and Banana Muffins 

I know that muffins don't normally have icing, 

or frosting as our American friends call it, 

but these muffins are so great with the topping. 

With the bananas, buttermilk and spice, 

they are definitely muffins, 

not cupcakes.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup mashed bananas (approximately 3-4 bananas, very ripe)
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoon dark, spiced rum (Captain Morgan's)

Icing Ingredients:
450g of cream cheese
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
~ 5-6 cups icing sugar, sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:


Preheat oven to 170C. Line two muffin pans with cupcake liners. Set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together all dry ingredients, including cinnamon. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, buttermilk, vanilla and rum. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, blending entirely before adding the next egg.

Once the eggs are combined, begin adding the dry and wet ingredients in alternating order. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients, beat on slow to combine. Add 1/3 of the wet ingredients, beat on slow to combine. Repeat until all of the wet and dry ingredients have been combined.

Scoop batter into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup only 3/4 of the way to the top.

Bake 18-20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before removing cupcakes. Let cupcakes cool completely before applying frosting.

While cupcakes are baking, prepare the Icing. Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add sifted icing sugar in 1 cup increments. After 4 cups, check for desired sweetness. Continue adding icing sugar until you have achieved desired level of sweetness. Blend in salt, vanilla and cinnamon.

Once cupcakes are completely cool, frost with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.