Baking For Others

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Baking for others can be fun and easy, as long as you pick the right kind of recipe, make it a family activity, and abide by the family fun guidelines for kitchen safety.

Cupcakes are more popular than ever before, perhaps because they are like individual little cakes, making them fun to eat, and at the same time, making it easier to limit your calorie intake.

This recipe adds bananas to a simple buttercake recipe. The bananas add to the vitamin content - particularly vitamin A, a range of B vitamins, and some vitamin C. Bananas also contain Calcium, Magnesium and some trace amounts of iron and zinc.

• For nutrition facts and history of bananas, see Banana.com
• For more health and nutrition benefits, see Chiquita.com

The chocolate chips in this recipe can be semi-sweet or milk chocolate. You can also substitute the chocolate chips for 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts. Toasting the nuts in a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes before adding them to the batter will make them more flavorful.

Little packages of cupcakes wrapped in cellophane and adorned with pretty bows can be an attractive gift for:

• Teachers
• Friends or relatives who are ill
• Hostess gift
• Tea parties
• Birthdays
• Any special holiday or get together

Before you begin this baking activity, print out the recipe and read the ingredients and mixing methods. Discuss whether or not this would be a good gift for someone you know. Would you like to decorate the cupcakes with frosting and candies?

Prepare for baking by assembling the needed utensils and ingredients. Assign duties to each individual based on their age guidelines.

Bake, and above all, have fun!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. Printable Recipe Ingredients: 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/4 cups sugar 1 tablespoon Clabber Girl Baking Powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 3/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium) 1/3 cup evaporated milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 eggs 1 package (6 ozs.) semi-sweet chocolate chips Mixing Directions: Preheat oven to 375° F. Prepare cupcake tins by placing a cupcake liner in each pocket. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, Clabber Girl Baking Powder and salt. In a separate bowl combine mashed bananas, milk, vanilla extract and eggs. Add banana mixture to flour mixture and beat on medium until blended, then beat 3 minutes longer. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into greased muffin cups, filling about 3/4 full. Baking Directions: Bake 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and place cupcake tin on wire rack to cool. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove cupcakes and place on wire rack to cool completely. While cupcakes are cooling, make frosting - you can frost with any home made frosting,or use a prepared frosting in a can. Assemble decorating supplies - candies, mini chips or chopped nuts. Decorate cupcakes after they are completely cooled. Makes 24 cupcakes.

 

Visit the Home Baking Association for more Family Fun recipes and information!