Banana Cupcakes with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

 photo credit: http://www.bigredkitchen.com

Dulce de Leche Banana Cupcakes with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

original recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter , softened
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1 t. soda
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. salt
• 1/2 t. nutmeg
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 t vanilla
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional- I did not add this time

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients on high speed in mixer for 2 minutes. Divide between 12 standard cupcake liners placed in a standard muffin tin and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Once baked and while still warm, I cut out a small cone from the top of each cupcake. I filled each well with 1 teaspoon Dulce de Leche, I like to use a baby spoon to do this, then popped the tops back on and pressed down so they would stay in place.Makes 12 cupcakes.

Dulce de Leche- : One way to make dulce de leche is by taking a can of sweetened condensed milk and boiling it for a few hours by first removing its label and placing the can on its side in a large pot. Cover with water, about an inch over the can and cover pot. Bring to a boil then lower heat a bit and simmer for 4 hours. Be sure the can stays covered at all times with water. After 4 hours turn off heat and let the can cool. Mine did not explode and I even used a can with a pull-tab top. OR you can purchase canned Dulce de Leche, usually found in the Latin food isle of your grocery store or near the sweetened condensed milk.

Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
• 8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 t. vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, heat butter and salt until browned. In a large bowl place cream cheese and pour browned butter over top and beat on high speed for about 1 minute until mixture is light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well between each addition until all the sugar is added and mixture is smooth. Makes about 5 cups frosting. You will have extra, this freezes well.