You will love these moist, dense-yet-still-soft homemade banana cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. To guarantee the best results, use sour cream, buttermilk, and extra ripe bananas—these power ingredients make all the difference in this spiced cupcake recipe.
This banana cupcake recipe is a mix of these banana cupcakes with chocolate peanut butter frosting and this banana cake, which are actually very similar recipes. Both have a super-moist texture, delicious cinnamon spice flavor, a soft yet dense crumb, and wonderful banana flavor. Today’s cupcake recipe is basically 2/3 of the banana cake, only with the same amount of banana. I really wanted to pack as much banana flavor into the cupcakes as I could without compromising the texture. Another change reflected in the recipe below is adding some sour cream, an addition that always promises a more tender crumb.
Tell Me About These Banana Cupcakes
- Texture: These banana cupcakes aren’t as dense as banana muffins, but aren’t really as soft as vanilla cupcakes. Instead, they land somewhere in the middle. You’ll love how moist the crumb is too—we have the butter, buttermilk, sour cream, and all the banana to thank for that.
- Flavor: Each bite includes banana, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and vanilla. (Some of the best flavors in baking!) It all pairs so nicely with the tangy cream cheese frosting on top.
- Ease: Besides mashing the bananas, which is even easier if you use your mixer, the entire process is fairly simple. If you make your own buttermilk, there is one extra step. See recipe note below.
- Time: Set aside over 2 hours to complete this recipe which includes prepping, baking, cooling, and decorating times.
Video Tutorial
Success Tips for Banana Cupcakes
- Easy Mash: My team and I make a lot of banana treats including banana bread, chocolate banana bread, whole wheat banana pancakes, and banana muffins and here’s our best tip: mash the bananas using your mixer. Peel and break apart the bananas, then place inside your mixing bowl and turn the mixer on to medium-high speed. If using a stand mixer, either the paddle or whisk attachment work for this. A blender or food processor works as well. Mashing bananas by hand with a fork works too, but takes arm muscle and a little extra time. Transfer the mashed bananas to a separate bowl—don’t even wash the mixer bowl. Just place the butter/sugars inside and begin creaming as the recipe instructs. Super simple.
- Don’t overfill cupcakes: Fill cupcake liners only 2/3 full to avoid spilling over the sides.
- Room temperature: All refrigerated items should be brought to room temperature so the batter mixes together easily and evenly. If you’re interested, feel free to read more about why room temperature ingredients are important in baking.
Choosing the Right Ingredients for Banana Cupcakes
Here’s an overview of the ingredients you need and why each is important.
- Flour: 2 cups of all-purpose flour serve as the base of these banana cupcakes. Don’t use cake flour because it’s too light.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda helps the cupcakes rise.
- Salt + Cinnamon: Salt and cinnamon add flavor.
- Bananas: You need 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) of mashed banana, which is about 4 medium or 3 large bananas. Make sure the bananas are very ripe because more brown spots = sweeter banana flavor.
- Butter: When creamed with sugar, butter adds flavor, moisture, and structure.
- Sugar: We love the mix of both brown sugar and granulated sugar in these cupcakes. Plus, the brown sugar adds more moisture.
- Eggs: Eggs bind everything together.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream creates a moist and tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract adds more flavor.
- Buttermilk: For best taste and to ensure proper rising, use buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, see the recipe notes for a DIY buttermilk substitute.
Can I Use Frozen Bananas?
Yes, frozen and thawed bananas work in this recipe and you can read more about How to Freeze & Thaw Bananas for Baking if you’d like. Two important things to remember:
- The riper the banana, the better. When you bake with bananas, you want to use brown, spotty super-ripe ones.
- Strain off excess liquid. As bananas thaw, they let out a lot of liquid, which can throw off the wet ingredients in any baking recipe. I always recommend draining off most or all of that excess liquid before mashing and measuring them for your recipe.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
We’ll pair these banana cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Cinnamon and banana are a natural pairing and 1/2 teaspoon of the spice is the perfect amount in this frosting recipe. (Not too much, not too little!) It’s crazy how 1 tiny addition to regular cream cheese frosting makes such a flavorful difference. Bonus: this frosting pipes beautifully using a large round tip such as Ateco 808, the same I use for decorating carrot cake cupcakes.
For the optional garnish, we love adding a drizzle of salted caramel and a banana slice (dried or fresh!).
This frosting would also be fantastic on top of snickerdoodle cupcakes. If cream cheese frosting isn’t your thing, traditional vanilla frosting or even chai spice buttercream frosting work beautifully here.
They’re truly perfect banana cupcakes. And if you’re not into banana, you might enjoy these apple cupcakes instead.
Additional Similar Recipes
- Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Banana Cream Pie
- Caramelized Banana Pudding
- Chai Latte Cupcakes & Salted Caramel Cupcakes
- Banana Crumb Cake
Banana Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours, 35 minutes
- Yield: 18 cupcakes
- Category: Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Top these moist, dense-yet-still-soft homemade banana cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. To guarantee the best results, use sour cream, buttermilk, and extra ripe bananas–these power ingredients make all the difference in this spiced cupcake recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large ripe bananas)
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature*
- 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream or plain yogurt, at room temperature*
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk, at room temperature*
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar, plus an extra 1/4 cup if needed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- optional: salted caramel and/or banana chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Line a second pan with 6 liners as this recipe yields about 18 cupcakes.
- Make the cupcakes: Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and both sugars together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla, then beat on medium-high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the mashed banana. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients until just incorporated. With the mixer still running on low, slowly pour in the buttermilk until combined. Do not overmix. You may need to whisk it all by hand to make sure there are no flour pockets at the bottom of the bowl.
- Pour/spoon the batter into the liners—fill only 2/3 full to avoid spilling over the sides. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For around 30 mini cupcakes, bake for about 11-13 minutes, same oven temperature. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add 3 confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar (I add it).
- Frost cooled cupcakes however you’d like. I used an Ateco 808 large round piping tip for these pictured cupcakes. Top with salted caramel and/or a banana chip, if desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Cupcakes can be made ahead 1 day in advance, covered, and stored at room temperature. Frosting can also be made 1 day in advance, covered, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Leftover cupcakes keep well covered tightly in the refrigerator for 3 days. Frosted or unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 12-cup Muffin Pan | Cupcake Liners | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Silicone Spatula | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Ateco #808 Piping Tip
- Frozen Bananas: You can use thawed frozen bananas in this recipe. Thawed bananas are extra wet, so drain off as much of the excess liquid as you can before mashing. See How to Freeze & Thaw Bananas for Baking.
- Room Temperature: All refrigerated items should be at room temperature so the batter mixes together easily and evenly. Read more on why room temperature ingredients are important.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk is required for this recipe. You can make your own DIY buttermilk substitute if needed. Add 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup. Then add enough whole milk to the same measuring cup until it reaches 1/2 cup. (In a pinch, lower fat or nondairy milks work for this soured milk, but the cupcakes won’t taste as moist or rich.) Stir it around and let sit for 5 minutes. The homemade “buttermilk” will be somewhat curdled and ready to use in the recipe.
Cupcakes with frosting are sooo delicious!! Only issue I had was cupcakes sticking to liners.. other than that cupcakes are amazing!!!
Fabulous recipe!! I made some candied pecans for a topping which added a delicious crunch. Will be making them again for sure!
Being a baker (retired), I enjoy trying recipes on the Internet. Well, I baked these cupcakes today and they are a keeper. Moist, not too sweet,full of flavor. Definitely a keeper!
Wanting to replicate the taste of Gerber baby food’s Hawaiian Delight and would love your thoughts on topping these cakes with a pineapple buttercream. Love your work.
Hi Scott! We’ve never tested a pineapple buttercream, but it sounds delicious. Let us know what you try! You may love this hummingbird cake recipe as well.
This recipe is so good. My family loved it so much
Love this recipe!!! Make for special occasions, family dinners, and especially for my Great-grand children’s bake sales!! Everyone loves them if they try them!!! Thanks for the recipe!!! These stay moist for many days if they last that long. Really easy to make up.
This recipes is super moist and yummy. Adding this to my go to banana cupcakes. I also did loafs as well as added blueberries.
These were made for a 1 year olds birthday party, and were a huge hit. An absolute favorite now for my family. This wont stop me from making and enjoying these, but do you have any idea about how many calories per cupcake.
So glad they were a hit! We don’t usually include nutrition information as it can vary between different brands of the same ingredients. Plus, many recipes have ingredient substitutions or optional ingredients listed. However, there are many handy online calculators where you can plug in and customize your exact ingredients/brands. Readers have found this one especially helpful: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
can I freesze these for 2 weeks and will they still be moist
Hi Karen, yes, frosted or unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
I love this recipe and my coworkers are obsessed and have been bugging me to make them again for 6 months! Was hoping to make this as a sheet cake, should that work ok?
Hi Maggie! Here’s our banana sheet cake recipe 🙂
My son has requested banana cupcakes with a strawberry frosting for his birthday this year. Can I omit the cinnamon in the frosting and add strawberries instead? Or make another one of your strawberry frosting?
Hi Ashley! We would use this cupcake recipe with our favorite strawberry buttercream. Hope they’re a hit!
These turned out great! I made a half recipe to use up some extra frosting but I really wish I’d made a whole one bc they’re so delicious (also, I had way more frosting than I thought, lol!) will definitely make again and try the frosting with the recipe.
Love this recipe! Although it makes enough frosting for a cake!!
Amazingly tender crumb and awesome banana flavour. Will definitely make these again. Love that they can be frozen with the frosting.
Making this recipe for birthday party, can I add choc chips to this?
Absolutely. You can fold in 1 cup, about 180-185g.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY, good! I made the recipe as is, but I did use the weigh option verses the measure one for the bananas. I ended up with 19 cupcake papers, each filled about 3/4 full. Mine had to bake longer, 24 minutes before the toothpick test told me they were done. They are moist and dense but with a finer crumb and lighter texture than a banana muffin. I wanted to make a banana, chocolate, peanut butter product so didn’t make your frosting. I made a chocolate, peanut butter fudge type frosting which literally “put the frosting on” an amazing cake. Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe. I’m 82 years old, married 60 years and have been baking since I was a child. When I saw 4 bananas, sour cream and buttermilk in your recipe I figured I had a winner! Good job!
Omg love how these cupcakes turned out! Took them to the office and everyone loved it!! I did add in half cup of pecan pieces and half cup of bitter sweet chocolate chip to the batter and only use 2 cups of powdered sugar for the frosting. But omg! Love it!!
A bit disappointed. Filled them as mentioned but didn‘t rise and doesn‘t look beautiful. Also 1/3 of the cupcake sticks to my cupcake paper (had never this problem so far). Taste is good but compared to other fantastic recipes from this site, really disappointed.
Would like to rectify my rating. The following day the cupcakes didn‘t stick to the paper and they were perfectly moist and had a good flavor!
The cupcakes were delicious! But mine looked beautiful in the oven and then shrank and sank during cooling. I weighed my ingredients and followed all instructions plus monitored the oven temperature with an extra thermometer. Any clues as tonmight what happened? Thanks
Hi Grace, cupcakes that sink are often the result of under baking. An additional minute or two in the oven should help for next time. Also be sure that your baking soda is fresh (we find it starts to lose its power after about 3 months) and be careful not to over mix the batter (as it can cause the cupcakes to become a bit squat and dense). We’re glad you enjoyed these cupcakes!
This is a delicious recipe. The frosting is by far the best part. I am a huge fan of cinnamon raisin cream cheese so this is just a sweet version of that. I halved the butter, cream cheese and sugar but accidently used the written amount of vanilla, salt and cinnamon. It was very flavorful. I think I’d reduce the sweetness of the cupcake in the future but other than that the cupcake was perfectly moist and flavorful.
Can this recipe be used to make a 6 inch 3 layer cake instead of cupcakes?
Hi Kaitlyn, we have a post on 6 inch cakes that you might find helpful! The general rule is that cupcake batter that produces about 12-15 cupcakes is the perfect amount for a 3 layer 6 inch cake. This banana recipe makes 18 cupcakes so you will have a little bit extra batter, but you can always just make a few cupcakes to enjoy or freeze for later!
what is the difference between this recipe and banana bread recipe, i believe this will be moist than the others, it has yoghurt and buttermilk
These cupcakes will be a bit lighter but with similar flavor to our banana bread!
Is the frosting recipe enough for a 3 layer 6 inch cake?
Hi Mary! Yes, it should be. You can make a larger batch if you prefer extra thick layers of frosting.
This is a good recipe with great flavor. However the texture is more of a lite banana bread and I was looking for more of a cake like texture.
I ended up making 12 cupcakes and a 8 by 8 inch cake. The frosting recipe didn’t come out well because I used a local cream cheese and not the commercial Philly cream cheese. I think it is softer in consistency so the frosting is still very runny even with 1/2 cup extra powdered sugar. Lesson learned!
Was very moist and delicious
Will
Make again
Can this be made as mini cupcakes? How would I go about doing this?
Hi Marie, For around 30 mini cupcakes, bake for about 11-13 minutes, same oven temperature.
The first time I made this recipe I was afraid that no one would like the cinnamon frosting.
I took a dozen to the nurses at my infusion session and they were floored by the combination of cinnamon and banana. I give this a 5 star. I’ve made this twice and both times its been a hit. The cake is very moist and not to mention delish.
I did not care for the cinnamon in the frosting. I was looking for a banana cupcake as well and this is more like a banana spice muffin for the pumkin spice latte crew wasn’t what I was looking for