Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes

I've been sitting on this recipe for a while now, and I finally got around to making it.  It helped that I had a few bananas that have been in the freezer for who knows how long.

These were delicious.  My pants are so glad that I sent all but 2 into work with Aaron.  I ate them as soon as he left.  They have bananas in them, so that's like breakfast, right?  That's what I thought!  

As usual, Annie's Eats does it again.  Her recipes are never-fail always hit-the-spot deliciousness.  The yellow batter cooks up to perfection and the banana flavor is soooo good and refreshing.  While good any time, I preferred these slightly chilled, leaving them in the fridge (or freezer) for about 10 minutes.

Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes

Printable Recipe

By Annie's-Eats, Adapted from Confections of a Foodie Bride, pastry cream from Baking Illustrated

For the pastry cream:

• 2 cups half-and-half
• ½ cup sugar, divided
• Pinch of salt
• 5 large egg yolks
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the cupcakes:

• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 16 tbsp. (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1¼ cups buttermilk, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

For the whipped cream:

• 1¾ cup heavy cream
• 6 tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. To make the pastry cream, heat the half-and-half, 6 tablespoons of the sugar, and the salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat until simmering, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.  Meanwhile, combine the egg yolks and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl and whisk until the sugar has begun to dissolve and the mixture is creamy, about 15 seconds.  Whisk in the cornstarch until combined and the mixture is pale yellow and thick, about 30 seconds.  When the half-and-half mixture has reached a simmer, slowly add it to the egg yolk mixture to temper, whisking constantly.  Return the mixture to the saucepan, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Return the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly, until a few bubbles burst on the surface and the mixture is thickened and glossy, about 30 seconds.  Off the heat, whisk in the butter and vanilla.  Strain the pastry cream through a  fine mesh sieve set over a medium bowl.  Press plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until cold and set, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.
2. To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350° F.  Line cupcake pans with paper liners.  Set aside.  In a medium bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder and salt.  Whisk together and set aside.  Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into the bowl of the mixer with the butter and discard the pod (or reserve for another use.)  Beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and creamy in color.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for one more minute.
3. Add the sugar to the butter mixture, ¼ cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition.  Mix in the eggs one at a time until incorporated.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.  Combine the buttermilk and the vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup.  With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing just until incorporated.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
4. Divide the batter between the prepared paper liners, filling each about 2/3 of the way full.  Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Replace paper liners and bake remaining batter as before.
5. To fill the cupcakes, use the cone method to hollow out the center of the cupcakes (I prefer the paring knife method for these cupcakes).  Discard the cones.  Place a single slice of banana inside of each cupcake.  Top with a small spoonful of the pastry cream and another slice of banana on top of that.
6. To frost the cupcakes, combine the cream and confectioners’ sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.  Whip on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, being careful not to over-beat.  Blend in the vanilla extract.  Transfer the whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip (I used a large unlabeled star tip).  Pipe a swirl of whipped cream on top of each cupcake.