chunky monkey cupcakes, banana, chocolate, walnuts
Chunky Monkey Ice Cream is a family favorite!  The bananas, chocolate and walnuts go together so well.  Since we love the ice cream and the flavor combination I decided to make a cupcake version.  I started with a banana cupcake and added in some chocolate chips and crushed walnuts.  To top it off I made a chocolate butter-cream frosting and sprinkled on a dash of walnuts to make it look pretty.  So the next time you’re out of  Chunky Monkey ice cream, whip up a batch of these.  A delicious way to have that Chunky Monkey flavor any time you want!

Ingredients are as follows:
cupcakes:
1 tsp. lemon juice, or white vinegar
1/4 C milk
1 C smashed bananas, about three bananas
3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
3/4 C applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla
2 C flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1 C chocolate chips
frosting:
2 1/4 C powdered sugar
1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
8 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
5 Tbsp. milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees; line cupcake pan with paper liners.  This recipe made 16 medium or 12 large cupcakes.
 
In a small bowl combine the milk and lemon juice; set aside.
banana, chocolate, walnuts
 Cream the bananas and sugar together.
banana, chocolate, walnuts
Mix in the eggs until incorporated; stir in the applesauce and vanilla.
chocolate. banana, walnuts
Slowly stir in the flour, baking soda, and milk.
chocolate, banana, walnuts
Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
chocolate, banana, walnuts
Pour batter into the pan.
chocoalte, banana, walnuts
Bake for 25-30 minutes; until a toothpick comes out clean.
chocolate, banana, walnuts
Remove from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.  While they’re cooling cream together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder and butter.
chocolate, banana, walnuts
Mix in the vanilla; gradually add the milk until it becomes creamy & fluffy.
chocolate, frosting, banana, walnuts
Frost the cupcake, sprinkle on some walnuts and enjoy!
chocoalte, banana, walnuts