Ingredients
Muffins:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 ripe bananas, peeled and coarsely mashed
Frosting:
- 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Directions
Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl to blend. Beat the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl to blend. Stir in the banana. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until blended.
Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Bake the muffins on the middle rack until the tops are golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out with no crumbs attached, about 25 minutes. Transfer the muffins to a rack and cool slightly. The muffins may be eaten warm or cooled completely and frosted.
To frost the cupcakes: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the mascarpone cheese and then beat in the honey. Spread the frosting over the muffins. Sprinkle with the walnuts.
Photo: Banana Muffins with Mascarpone Cream Frosting Recipe

















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By Sara1119
Atlanta
on May 13, 2013
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I looked up banana recipes since i had 4 over-ripe ones in my fruit basket. Giada's recipes are always good! I didn't have any cream cheese or marscapone so i made them without the frosting. The batter was enough for a batch of mini muffins too so i did some with shaved chocolate over the top, some with honey on the top and some with blueberries. They are delicious!
By sv-baker
on May 04, 2013
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Great recipe! Loved that it didn't need butter! Added mini choc chips for the 24 mini muffins, and regular choc chips for the full size muffins. Didn't require frosting. Might cut back the sugar a bit next time. They didn't last long.
By HappyMom824111
Philadelphia, PA
on May 02, 2013
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This is such a foolproof, easy recipe! I thought the recipe called for a lot of sugar. That is, until I made the frosting. The frosting calls for no sugar, just honey, and not too much. Put together, it creates a great balance. These were addictive and so hard to stop eating! If you are only making the muffins and not the frosting, I think you could get away with adding a bit less sugar. For the frosting, I almost skipped the mascarpone, but I'm so glad I didn't. It adds a different texture and flavor. It's subtle, but worth it. If you can't find mascarpone, no worries. Cream cheese will do.
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