These Banana Cupcakes are my Grandpa’s recipe. Fluffy cupcakes are a fun and tasty handheld version of banana cake! Made from scratch, you’ll be buying extra bananas to make sure you have enough to make these (and of course banana bread & banana bars too)!  

These cupcakes are a piece of my childhood… something we always had at Grandma and Grandpa’s! They actually started as a banana cake and are delicious topped with a fresh lemon buttercream frosting!

side view of banana cupcakes with a bite out of it

To Make Banana Cupcakes

Banana cupcakes are perfect for a family dessert, or a classroom or team party! The riper the bananas, the smoother your cupcakes will be and the sweeter banana flavor they will have. Remember to very gently fold in the beaten egg whites for the fluffiest results!

Overhead shot of Banana Cupcake recipe ingredients

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare cupcake or muffin tins with pan release or paper cupcake liners.
  2. Beat egg whites on high until stiff peaks form, this gives the fluffiest ever cupcakes.

Overhead shot of Banana Cupcake mixture in glass bowls

3. Cream together the butter, sugar, yolks, and milk. Add remaining ingredients (per recipe below) and of course mashed bananas.

4. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites until fully incorporated and scoop into prepared muffin or cupcake tins.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Before decorating allow to completely cool.

Overhead shot of Banana Cupcake batter in a muffin tin

My Favorite Frosting for Banana Cupcakes

I love the flavor combination of banana and a rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting! But these banana bread cupcakes are so moist, they’re great without or with frosting!

For banana cream cupcakes, cut each cupcake in half and spread cream cheese frosting between them! All the deliciousness of frosting, without any of the mess!

How Long Do They Stay Fresh?

Banana cupcakes will keep in a zippered bag or an airtight container for about a week.

They freeze great, place in a freezer bag and they’ll keep a few months!

More Cupcakes & Muffins

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
side view of banana cupcakes with a bite out of it
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Grandpa’s Banana Cupcakes

These are the best ever fluffy moist cupcakes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 18 cupcakes
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Ingredients  

  • ¾ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup milk just shy of ¼ cup
  • 2 eggs yolks separated
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 bananas ripe, mashed

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Add lemon juice to bottom of measuring cup. Add enough milk* to make ¼ cup (of lemon juice and milk) and set aside.
  • Beat egg whites on high until stiff peaks form and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar with mixer.
  • Add in yolks and milk mixture.
  • Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Slowly add to butter mixture.
  • Stir in bananas. Then gently fold in egg white mixture.
  • Pour muffin mixture into lined (or greased) muffin tin.
  • Bake for 17-20 min or until cupcakes spring back when lightly touched.

Notes

*You will use just a little less than ¼ cup milk
4.98 from 261 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 167 | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Banana cupcakes with icing with writing
Banana cupcakes topped with icing and a sliced banana with writing
Top image - banana bread topped with banana slices. Bottom image - banana bread ingredients

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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4.98 from 261 votes (202 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. can I use more liquid, I have no lemon
    I like buttermilk and sour cream would this be ok with your recipe

    1. Hi Lynn, the lemon juice and milk is in place of buttermilk so you can swap them for ¼ cup of buttermilk.

  2. Sunday afternoon baking. Used up 5 very ripe small bananas. Beautiful batter. I made them larger. Baked a little longer. Will make again.5 stars

  3. Wow. Absolutely perfect texture to the cupcake even with previously frozen bananas. 10/10. I made peanut butter cream cheese frosting that took it over the top!5 stars

  4. They were light and fluffy, but kind of bland and not sweet enough. Really needed the frosting. Probably be good warmed up for breakfast with a little jam.3 stars

    1. The frosting is the perfect balance to the flavor! And I can agree they are delicious warmed up.

  5. These were delicious!! I followed the recipe exactly, but used vegan butter instead of regular butter. I also sprinkled mini chocolate chips on the top before baking and didn’t ice them. I’m not a big icing fan, but the chips on top made them really pretty. Everyone loved them.5 stars

  6. OMG! These are the best banana cupcakes I’ve ever made! I even took a warm one and put a bit of butter on it ….. delicious!!! I’m sure they will taste just as good with icing later!