Yes, I'm a Cupcake-aholic!

When I was battling cancer, I began baking. I took a cake decorating class and became hooked on cupcakes! Our last hurrah for the summer was my brother's annual Luau Labor Day party. I was quite excited for I got to try out a new cupcake recipe: Butterfinger Cupcakes!

1½ cups plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1½ cups plus 2 tbsp. sugar
4 eggs
1 cup well mashed  ripe banana
2/3 cup buttermilk
12 fun size Butterfinger bars, cut in half

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt-- whisk together and set aside. In the bowl of a free standing mixer, use the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to medium low and add in eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides when needed. Mix in the mashed banana until well combined. This is key. I did not do this too well, and you could tell. With the mixer on low speed alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing only until just incorporated.Fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full. Bake 20-22 minutes. Allow to cool 5  minutes, then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack. Before cupcakes cool push half of a Butterfinger bar into the top of each cupcake about 1/2 of an inch down. The bar will begin to melt. Then let cool completely.

For the frosting:
2-8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
 8  tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
 1 cup creamy peanut butter
 6 and 1/2  cups confectioners’ sugar
 2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

To make the frosting, in the bowl of a free standing mixer, use the paddle attachment,  combine the cream cheese, butter and peanut butter until smooth. Slowly mix in the confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth and well blended. Mix in the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy.

modified from Annie's Eats