Monkey Cupcakes!

I made these for Oliver's first birthday and they were perfect for him! I call him my monkey because he's always climbing on things and he's such a goof. These reminded me of banana bread but much fluffier and sweeter! Plus they're jumbo size so one cupcake really fills you up.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 1/2 C mashed bananans
1/2 C water
1/2 C veg. oil
3 large eggs
1 t. ground cinnamon
(I also like to add a splash of nutmeg)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place liners in 12 jumbo size cupcake cups. Mix cake mix, bananas, water, oil, eggs and cinnamon in bowl. Blend thirty seconds on low then 2 more minutes on medium. Spoon 1/2 C of batter (for the large cups) into each cup. Bake till golden and spring back when lightly pressed on. Let cool before frosting.

Cinnamon Cream cheese frosting

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese at room temp.
4 T stick butter at room temp.
3 C confectioner's sugar
1 t ground cinnamon (again I also add a dash of nutmeg)

Mix cream cheese and butter for 30 seconds. Add sugar a little at a time till well incorporated. Add cinnamon then increase speed to medium and blend till fluffy.


To decorate the monkeys frost whole cupcake first. Use two brown M&M's for the eyes and one in the middle and on it's side for the nose. With some brown piping frosting (you can buy it in a ready to pipe package at any store) pipe a half circle for the smile. Use a red M&M on each end of the smile. Use two mini oreos for the ears then use brown sprinkles around the edge for fur.