Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Banana Walnut and White Choc Chip Cupcakes and a Little Star Gazing, Home and Away Style


Banana Walnut and White Choc Chip Cupcakes

Is it me or is there a new trend in cup cakes?  They appear to be coming with gorgeous crunchy toppings lately.  No longer is there just the humble cup cake to tempt us, but they now have a crust, often lovingly constructed with brown sugar and butter and all manner of naughtiness.


I have to say, I think my attempt at these doesn't look half bad. The reason I have made them is because I have joined in the Red Cross' Big Cake Bake for August.  Not because I am some amazingly fabulous kind and generous person or anything.  Well not really!!! Remember we blog it like it is here ladies.  But rather I love baking, so I thought why not raise money for a good cause doing something I love.  That should be easy and we like it easy here at the Beach House.......even if we are forbidden from liking it 'too easy'.


So I knocked up a batch of theses little stunners, courtesy of Kate Ritchie's, grandma. You know the Kate Ritchie of Home and Away fame?  No?  Did you know that Summer Bay, that soapy cesspool of lust and intrigue is all shot, at one of my local beaches?  Yes that's right, it's a fictional version of Palm Beach.  And I say fictional very loosely, as it can be quite exciting living round here actually.  There is often lots of relationship drama, but enough said there.  All the international tourists we entertain, can't  get to the surf club quick enough for an ice block and some star gazing.  But I do digress.


The Biggest Beach House Brat's words to me after biting onto one of these for the first time was " it's heaven mum" 

So here's the recipe:


Banana Walnut and  Choc Chip Cupcakes

2 cups self raising flour
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
1 firmly packed cup brown sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
1.5 cups milk
3/4 cup olive oil (Thanks Bertolli)
1 cup of mashed banana
3/4 cup chopped white or milk chocolate

Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar 
1/2 cup plain flour
80g/3oz butter
1 cup chopped walnuts

Just a note with the topping.  Kate's recipe actually gave 1/2 the quantities for the topping I have given you here, but it wasn't enough.  It only covered 10 cupcakes of the 16-18 or so this recipe makes.

To make the cupcake bases

Preheat the oven to 180 C /375 F

Line 2, 12 hole muffin trays with good quality cupcake wrappers, that are firm so you get a good finish to your cupcake when they are peeled away.

Sift  dry ingredients into a large bowl.

Stir in sugar, eggs, milk and oil.

Add banana and chocolate

Do not over mix.  The batter is ok if a little lumpy.

Evenly spoon the batter into the muffin pans, making sure each cupcake wrapper is only 2/3 fill and smooth on top.

For the topping

Place all ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingers until well combined.

Sprinkle the misture on top of the decanted cupcake batter.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and firm.  

Cool for 20 minutes in in the wrappers then peel as required.

Recipe Source: Kate Ritchie





And here's my trusty baking assistant.  Always at the ready to lick a bowl or spill ingredients all over the kitchen bench on cue.  A very willing helper and taste tester as you can imagine.


Oh and if you feel inclined to really be a fabulously kind and generous person, here's a link to my Big Cake Bake page where you can make a donation.   No pressure what so ever, but if you are the kind of person who likes to engage in random acts of love and kindness then this is for you.

Or if you want to check at all my other baking recipes go here

Today I am linked up here
Wow Us Wednesdays
Fine Craft Guild
Crafty Soiree
Transformation Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Inspiration Friday
Potpourri Friday
Show and Tell Friday
Foodie Friday
Shine on Fridays
Weekend Wrap Up Party
Say G'day Saturday
Sundae Scoop
Sunday Showcase
Metamorphosis Monday
Table Top Tuesday
Coastal Charm
Take a Look Tuesday
Chef in Training
Craftomanaic

17 comments :

  1. What a great idea and the cakes look yummy too!

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  2. Thanks girls. Hope you are both have a fabbo week

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  3. Your cakes look yummy - I'm partial to a good cupcake myself!

    I never did get into Home & Away when I lived in Australia - is it still on TV? (I left Australia 20 years ago!)

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  4. Ohhhh, these look wonderful too. I love anything with streusel topping!

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  5. These look absolutely divine! Mmmmmmm.

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  6. look good!!! will have to try. minus the walnuts...hubby is anti-walnuts :)

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  7. Looks delicious.........I'd like to invite you to share this at CountryMommaCooks Link party going on now-Mon........have a wonderful weekend : )

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  8. Oh wow! I've been doing a bit of baking lately, which I completely suck at! I think I am going to try these out.

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  9. These cupcakes definitely look amazing!:)

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  10. The look divine and how totally cute is L. Good God that little girl is just gorgeous! x

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  11. They look delish - I love anything "banana"!

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  12. Oh these look amazing and such a lovely help you have. I am sure she enjoys the tablescape and a chance to sample all the goodies. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  13. Again, looks perfect! You are such a great stylist. Rose

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  14. Hi..Can these muffins be frozen and also can they be made without eggs?

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