*Banana Cupcakes w/ Peanut Butter Buttercream*

Banana Cup Cakes:

Ingredients - makes about 2 dozen cupcakes

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (approx 2 small bananas)
• 1/4 milk
• 2 tablespoons of butter
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, bananas and buttermilk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to banana mixture. Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full (about 1/4 cup)
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Peanut Butter Butter Cream:

Makes about 1 cup - Double Recipe for 2 dozen cupcakes

• 2/3 cup natural, creamy peanut butter
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• Fine salt (optional) or use salted butter
  

Directions

1. Cream peanut butter and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed. On low speed, mix in sugar until combined, then beat mixture on high speed until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add salt to taste, if desired. Use immediately.

^Pineapple Cupcake & Cherry Cool Whip Frosting^

If you love Pineapple Upside Down Cake, then you'll LOVE Pineapple Cupcakes w/cherry cool whip frosting.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
  
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In separate bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Stir in sugar and pineapple. Add flour mixture; mix well. Pour into cup cake pan

Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on rack; remove and cool completely before decorating.

CREAMY CHERRY FROSTING

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,176,154183-252205,00.html Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved. 1 (9 oz.) carton of cool whip (thawed) 1 (10 oz.) jar of maraschino cherries (with juice) 1 small packet of unflavored gelatin Sprinkle gelatin into cherry juice. Then whip mixture into topping with wire whip. Refrigerate for an hour. Frost cup cakes (I used a piping bag!)

They are so good... sweet cupcake and the perfect cherry frosting!! Yum!! Everyone at my work loved them too!!

Delicious Turkey Chili

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped (I used 1/2 container of pre-chopped onion)
  
• 2 cups water
• 1 (28 ounce) can canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 (16 ounce) cans of kidney beans - drained
  
• 2 (16 ounce) cans of black beans - drained and rinsed
  
• 1 packet of chili seasoning
  

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place turkey in the pot, and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion, and cook until tender.
2. Pour water into the pot. Mix in tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and garlic. Add packet of chili seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
3. Serve with corn bread and then... Eat up!
   

You can also serve with sour cream, cheese, and corn on top! It's amazing!!

This chili would be nice to freeze and serve later too!!