Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Banana Bread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Bread Cupcakes with Mastika Cream Cheese Frosting
Ever since I saw a post on Kopiaste's blog for Banana Bread Cupcakes with Mastic Cream Cheese Frosting, I've been dreaming about making this recipe.  I really admire Ivy and her creativity in the kitchen.  She is Cypriot, lives in Greece and speaks English too.  A very talented lady, indeed!

This banana bread cupcake recipe and icing was created by Ivy.  

While I realize that not everyone knows what Mastic is, they can check on Kopiaste's post and read links to the detail of its origin.  The only thing I will tell you is that it's found in only one place throughout the world, which is on a specific tree located on one of the Greek islands. 

Mastic can be found at a local Greek or Macedonian specialty shop/grocer, or bakery.  If you cannot find it, just omit it from the recipe and I can guarantee you that you will still be satisfied.

INGREDIENTS for Banana Bread:
325 grams sifted Cake & Pastry Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
10 tears of Mastika, pounded with 1 tsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
145 grams Butter at room temperature
270 grams Sugar
3 large ripe Bananas
1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
3 Eggs

INGREDIENTS for Mastika Cream Cheese Frosting:
400 grams Cream Cheese
60 grams Butter
150 grams Icing Sugar
10 tears of Mastika, pounded with 1 tbsp Icing Sugar

OPTIONAL:  2 Bananas (sliced) for final decoration

METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350F with rack in middle of oven.

Bowl 1:
1.  Sift flour into bowl.
2.  Mix in baking soda, mastika and salt.

Bowl 2:
1.  In an electric mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until smooth.
2.  Add bananas, one at a time, until they're mashed.
3.  Mix in the yogurt.
4.  Add eggs, one at a time, until they're fully mixed within the mixture.
5.  Gradually mix in the dry ingredients from bowl 1.  Beat until light and fluffy.


  • Pour batter into lined muffin tins.
  • Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until golden.
  • Set aside to cool on a wire rack while preparing icing.
  • Decorate cupcakes with icing and a slice of banana on top.





26 comments:

  1. Wow these look awesome! I love bananas... and am always looking for ways to use them up! I've never heard of Mastika before, I'll have to see if I can find it.

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    1. Mastika has a distinctive taste. Like Ivy says, if you add it into the recipe, try with just 3 or 4 drops the first time you make them. I used all 10 in the batter and another 10 in the frosting, but I'm used to the taste from our Easter baked goods and love it. It makes the house smell so good while baking. They taste similar to the scent they give when you crush the tears. If you don't like the smell, then don't add them to the recipe.

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  2. These sound wonderful with or without the mastic. I'm so glad you found the recipe to share with us. I'm going to look for an online source for the mastic as I know I won't be able to find it locally. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  3. Loved learning about mastika. And your cupcakes look fabulous; I always think of banana bread. Don't know why I don't make cupcakes!

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  4. Cream cheese, banana bread, bananas?? Perfect!!

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  5. I have never heard of mastika before, but I want to give it a try!

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  6. Mmmmm I wish I had one of these right now!!

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  7. What a delicious cupcake! Banana bread and cupcakes are some of my favorite things to make
    Even though I have only ever made cupcakes once..but I had a lot of fun doing it!

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  8. Wow! Love banana bread. Love Cream cheese.

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  9. I am always looking for something to do with over ripe bananas, hummmmm I have 2 on the counter right now....sorry gotta run, time to get baking

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  10. These look fabulous bet they smell great while cooking too!

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  11. These look so good! I love the cream cheese frosting. My favorite! What a great recipe!!

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  12. They look delicious and what a great combination!

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  13. the cupcakes look lovely.. love how u dressed them up with banana slices

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  14. Oh my...these are right up my alley.

    Thanks for stopping by the Cupboard today!

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  15. Oh Ellen,first of all thanks for the mention and your kind words. I have some ripe bananas in the deep freezer and think I'm going to make these again soon.

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  16. I love the sound of these and am so intrigued by this Mastic ingredient!! It is no wonder you were drawn to this recipe when you first saw it!

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  17. These look so yummy! You have SO many good looking desserts I want to try!! I also wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the "Versatile Blogger Award" because I love your content and versatility - http://foodforthefresh.blogspot.com/2012/06/versatile-blogger-award.html

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  18. Oh yummy. Banana bread is one of my favorite things. Frosting can only make it better.

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  19. Banana bread in a cupcake...what a great idea and as for Mastic...I've never heard of it but it sounds yummy! :-)

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  20. I love it, Way to cook out side of the box!

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  21. Oh wow! I wish this could be my, before bed snack! YUM!

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  22. I don't know if you saw but these were featured and you may download my "feature" button if you like! Sarah

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