These delicious Apple Banana Mini Muffins with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting are a wonderful little treat for breakfast, brunch or any time of day!
Spring has finally sprung here in Carlisle, Massachusetts and today I thought I’d share a little treat, perfect for spring time, these delicious Apple Banana Mini Muffins with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.
I found these pretty pink petal shaped mini baking cups at the store and when my son saw them at home he was all excited and asked if we could make Spiced Pumpkin Mini Muffins. Now, I love pumpkin and happily bake with it year round, but I wanted to make something that fit more with the flower theme, so I asked him for another choice. He requested something with apple. As usual, we had a bunch of perfectly ripe bananas in the fruit bowl, so I decided to make a mini version of our favorite Apple Banana Muffins.
These Apple Banana Mini Muffins are packed full of shredded apples and banana and are spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, they are so good.
I wanted to add a little pink flower to each muffin, so I decided to make some frosting. I thought cream cheese frosting would go well with these muffins. My son isn’t usually a fan of cream cheese frosting, but he does love vanilla frosting, so, I decided to make vanilla cream cheese frosting. The Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting did indeed go really well with the muffins and best of all, my son absolutely loved it.
This recipe makes enough frosting to make a little drop flower on each mini muffin. If you’d like more frosting per muffin, you can double the frosting recipe. These little muffins are also wonderful on their own, without any frosting.
This past Monday, we had some beautiful spring like weather, the sun was shining and temperatures made it into the upper 60s°F. I took my almost 3 year old twin girls to the nearby cranberry bog, they had a great time watching the ducks and tossing rocks in the water. Eventually they started to walk into the water and asked if they could go swimming. I had to say no, it wasn’t quite warm enough to go in the water, plus the bog isn’t appropriate for swimming.
So, as a compromise, when we got home, I let them put on their bathing suits and play outside. They had a great time running around our yard, which at this point was still half covered in snow. They loved it, they stomped, bare footed, in the snow and made snow balls with their bare hands, they had a great time.
These delicious little Apple Banana Mini Muffins with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting are a wonderful treat for breakfast, they also make a great snack any time of day. My son has been taking a couple of these little muffins to eat with his lunch at school every day so far this week.
These pretty Apple Banana Mini Muffins with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting would also be a wonderful addition to a brunch buffet for Mother’s Day or any day!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and shredded
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon milk
- icing color(s), preferably in gel/paste format, of choice (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease or place muffin liners in two 24 cup mini-muffin tins (or if you have just one, you can bake in batches)
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat sugar and ½ cup of butter until fluffy.
- Add in eggs, one at a time, and beat to combine.
- Add in buttermilk and vanilla and beat to combine.
- In another large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add flour mixture to egg mixture in 2 or 3 additions, beating after each addition until just combined.
- Add in shredded apples and banana and stir to combine.
- Spoon batter into mini muffin tins, filling nearly to the top of each cup. Bake in preheated oven for 18 – 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool muffin tins on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from tins, place on racks and cool completely.
- While muffins are baking, in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat ¼ cup butter and cream cheese until well combined.
- Add vanilla to bowl and beat to combine.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and milk and beat on high until frosting is light and fluffy.
- Add small amount of icing color to bowl (I use a toothpick), beat well until color is incorporated. Add additional coloring if needed to reach desired color. (optional)
- Chill frosting in the refrigerator until ready to frost the muffins
- Frost cooled mini muffins using a knife or pastry bag fitted with tip of choice.
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting recipe adapted from wilton.com
This post contains affiliate links for products that I personally recommend available at amazon.com. If you click on one of these links and end up making a purchase, your price will be unchanged, however I may receive a small commission. Please see my disclosure page for more information.
Delicious Apple and banana combination. Love the small size too! I’ll have two 🙂
Sandra – The Foodie Affair recently posted…Broccoli Slaw Lightened Up
Thanks Sandra!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
These muffins look soooooooo pretty!! I wish I could grab one or two and eat 🙂
Thanks Winnie!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
These are gorgeous Joy! Thanks for sharing these at the Say G’day Party! Pinned and hope to see you on Saturday!
Thanks Joanne!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
gorgoues!! these look so yummy!
lizzy recently posted…Eggplant & Anchovy Crostini
Thanks Lizzy!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
These are beautiful…I’m thinking mother’s day
The Food Hunter recently posted…Nabers Music, Bar & Eats
Thanks so much!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
Now that is what I call a cupcake! That cream cheese frosting looks absolutely delicious.
Healing Tomato recently posted…Raspberry Danish On A Stick
Thanks Rini!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
Hi Joy, Popping in to say hi! Love the cupcakes! They looks so yummy.
Theresa @DearCreatives recently posted…Celebrating The Origins Of A Coffee Lifestyle #CoffeePassion
Thanks Theresa!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
These look simply scrumptious! I could snack on one right now! Thank you for sharing on OhMyHeartsieGirlWW! Hope to see you again next week! Pinned!
Thanks Christine!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #21
Yummy!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party!! Hope to see you again on Thursday!! Pinned!
Elaine recently posted…3 Beans Baked Beans!!
Thanks Elaine!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
Wow that looks scrumptious!
Jessica Claudio, DVM recently posted…JGI: Meeting Dr. Jane Goodall!
Thanks Jessica!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
I love the apple/banana combo. I know my kids would love these.
christine recently posted…The Wednesday Roundup Week 72
Thanks Christine!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
I usually do buttercream frosting with my cupcakes. I will try this new frosting as it looks so soft and yummy!
Merlinda Little ( @pixiedusk) recently posted…Alphabet Photo – O for Octopus
Thanks Merlinda! I hope you give the frosting a try and enjoy!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
Omgoodness. Those look and sound yummmmmy!!!!!
Jenna recently posted…New Chapter Daily Organic multivitamin review and **GIVEAWAY**
Thanks Jenna!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
I want some LOL
stevebethere recently posted…WW On A Tuesday – Ancestors
Thanks Steve!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
Your cupcake papers are darling, the frosting looks tasty too!! Thanks for stopping by to join in the fun!!! Miss you in our WW. Thanks for stopping by, wishing you a great day!
Karren
Karren Haller recently posted…Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday
Thanks Karren!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
Not only cute but yummy looking!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Debbie-Dabble recently posted…BIRDS and RAINBOWS!!!!!
Thanks Debbie!
Joy recently posted…Chilled Sweet Pea and Mint Soup
These are so cute and look yummy! Glad you shared at #HomeMattersParty
Angela McKinney recently posted…Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Cookies
Thank Angela!
Joy recently posted…Bacon Arugula Tomato and White Bean Pasta Salad
These look so yummy! The petal cases are so pretty too and fit perfectly with the flavours, mmmm!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake recently posted…Chocolate Butterscotch Cheesecake
Thanks Michelle!
Joy recently posted…Bacon Arugula Tomato and White Bean Pasta Salad
These little bites look so cute! Perfect for spring 🙂
Thank Josie!
Joy recently posted…Bacon Arugula Tomato and White Bean Pasta Salad
These look so cute, especially with the wrappers and the flavors sound great as well.
Caroline recently posted…Tropical fruit smoothie
Thanks Caroline!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #15
Joy, these are adorable! I love the wrappers you used, because they look just like little flowers–how perfect for a bridal shower.
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter Pancakes
Thanks Kristen! I agree, these would be great for a bridal shower!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #15
These are beautiful! I would be afraid to eat 12 of them in one sitting as I love muffins and anything with frosting!
Denise Wright recently posted…Beet, Carrot & Sunchoke Chips with Garlic & Thyme
Thanks Denise!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #15
What fabulous mini-muffins, stuffed with fruit and topped with those adorable rosettes. I’m tempted to make these, but just wish I could pip icing as well as you do:)
Laura @MotherWouldKnow recently posted…Grown-Up Homemade Granola Bars
Thanks so much Laura!
Joy recently posted…Roasted Grape and Thyme Scones
These look so springy and tasty!
heidi recently posted…These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Thanks Heidi!
Joy recently posted…Roasted Grape and Thyme Scones
These are beautiful and would be perfect for a mother’s day tea or other party.
Marjie @ Home Again Jiggety-jig! recently posted…ONE POT CHICKEN ALFREDO PESTO PASTA
Thanks Marjie! I agree these would be so pretty for a tea party!
Joy recently posted…Roasted Grape and Thyme Scones
These are so pretty and sound delicious!
Marie recently posted…Cucumber Mango Salsa
Thanks Marie!
Joy recently posted…Roasted Grape and Thyme Scones
So cute and these would be great for the PTO lunch next week! Thanks Joy!
Jennifer Stewart recently posted…Matzo Candy
Thanks Jennifer!
Joy recently posted…Roasted Grape and Thyme Scones
Joy,
These cupcakes are too precious! Between the paper liners and the flower frosting you’ve created a very sweet treat!
I love the idea of sunshine bringing all of you snowbound folks out to play. It’s going to take a lot of warm sunny days for all that snow to melt!
Thanks!
Kirsten recently posted…Seven Tips for Making Pizza at Home.
Thanks so much Kristen!
Joy recently posted…Roasted Grape and Thyme Scones
These are gorgeous looking cupcakes and my little princess will totally love that pink frosting! Pinned.
Abigail recently posted…Pasta with Chicken and Mushrooms in Blue Cheese Sauce
Thanks Abigail! I hope you give them a try and you and your little princess enjoy 🙂
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #13
they look beautiful! I bet they taste great too.
Thanks so much Kallee!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #13
I don’t know why, but I have never thought about putting frosting on muffins. These look good though. May family are big banana muffin eaters, I bet they would LOVE these
Brandy M recently posted…Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe
Hi Brandy, these little muffins are delicious without the frosting, but I thought it would be a fun addition especially with the flower themed liners. My kids were thrilled that I added frosting, of course 🙂 Hope you give this a try and enjoy!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #13
Your little muffin papers are so cute. Great presentation for a delish tasty treat.
KC the Kitchen Chopper recently posted…Asparagus, Egg, Dill, Lemon Side Chopped
Thanks KC! I couldn’t resist these little liners, they are so cute 🙂
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #13
These look and sound delish! I love the cute papers they are in. I would have the leave the cinnamon out cause i’m allergic, but I would totally make these!
Christina recently posted…Yummy Yogurt Parfaits-Cooking with Kids!
Thanks Christina! These would be wonderful even without the cinnamon!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #13
I have some bananas that really need to be used up right now! I love banana bread and cakes, but not just plain bananas (hence my reason for having so many around!) Need to get on this asap!
Thanks Kacey! I hope you give these a try and enjoy!
Joy recently posted…What’d You Do This Weekend? #13
I love the frosting idea. But, the girls in the snow barefooted could make a viral uTube video!
Thanks Dad! I wasn’t able to get any video, but I did get a few cute photos 🙂
Joy recently posted…Apple Banana Mini Muffins with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting