Death by Choc Cupcakes Topped W/ Banana Crumble and Choc Buttercream

It's a surprise birthday cupcakes for my dear AM. After much sourcing for info and searching for recipes. I went ahead with cupcakeblog's banana cupcake recipe. Unfortunately, they didn't turn out well as expected.

It was the first time I used corn oil in cupcakes.

The cupcakes looked like models found in the toy shop's display shelves, don't they?

With the unfortunate failure infront, I couldn't afford another. I decided to combine choc & banana in 1 cupcake this time.

I took cupcakeblog's Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cupcakes recipe for the base.

As usual, being greedy did no good to me nor the cupcakes.

And I topped off the cupcakes with Banana Bars with Streusel Topping by howtoeatacupcake.

It tasted more like banana cake though.

Lastly choc buttercream from cupcakeblog again. Instead of using icing powder, I mistook castor sugar for it.

I had to use a blender in the wee hours as I couldn't get the consistency at all. I gave up after much trying.

And dripped the super sweet choc sauce, NOT buttercream, on top.

The sample was really death by chocolaty sweet!

The very next day...

My AM was pleasantly surprised and happy with the caupcakes on her table after her meeting.

Making her wish...

and blowing out the candles. Ain't she sweet? Happy Birthday Dear Ms Yap!

Cupcakeblog's Banana Cupcakes, A Few Ways (http://cupcakeblog.com/)
Makes 22-24 cupcakes / 350 degree oven

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt3 medium bananas
1/2 cup buttermilk3 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. With a blender or food processor, blend banana and buttermilk until the banana is broken up.
3. In another bowl, combine banana/buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla.
4. Fold dry mixture into the wet mixture.
5. Divide batter into three bowls. In one bowl, fold in toasted pecans and cinnamon. In the second bowl, fold in macadamia nuts and white chocolate. In the third bowl, fold in pistachios and cardamom.
6. Scoop out into cupcake papers.
7. Bake at 350 degree oven for ~20-22 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean (start checking after 20 minutes).

howtoeatacupcake's Banana Bars w/ Streusel Topping (http://howtoeatacupcake.net/search/label/banana)

Makes 2 dozen bars

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 medium or 3 small)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Streusel Topping (blogger's own addition)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1. Heat oven to 350F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. In large bowl, mix sugar, bananas, oil, and eggs with spoon. Sift in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Spread in pan.

(For streusel topping, in a small bowl combine ingredients with your fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of batter halfway through baking time.)

2. Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. (Eat them warm!)