2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or crystals
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
Chocolate-covered coffee beans, if desired
PREP TIME
55m
COOK TIME
1h40m
TOTAL TIME
2h35m
YIELD 22 servings
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Place paper baking cup in each of 22 regular-size muffin cups.
In small bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons coffee granules in 1 tablespoon boiling water; set aside to cool.
In another small bowl, mix flour, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
In large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar with electric mixer on high speed about 2 minutes.
Beat in mashed bananas and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Beat 30 seconds.
Add eggs; beat on high speed 1 minute, scraping sides of bowl frequently.
On low speed, add flour mixture, about one-third at a time, and sour cream, about half at a time, beating just until combined.
Stir in cooled coffee mixture.
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each with about 3 tablespoons batter or until about two-thirds full.
Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 5 minutes.
Remove cupcakes from pans; place on cooling racks.
Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in 1-quart heavy saucepan, heat 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons water over medium heat, swirling saucepan until sugar is dissolved.
Increase heat to high; cover and boil 2 minutes.
Uncover; continue boiling until sugar is dark amber in color.
Remove from heat.
Beat in 1/4 cup butter with whisk until smooth.
Beat in 1/4 cup whipping cream.
When cream is thoroughly mixed in, beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt with whisk.
Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave milk on High 40 seconds or just until it begins to boil.
Stir in 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon coffee granules until dissolved; set aside to cool.
In medium bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar with electric mixer on low speed until blended.
Gradually beat in remaining 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar.
Frost cupcakes with coffee frosting.
Top with whipped cream; drizzle with reserved caramel filling.