Banana and Toffee Cupcakes and a Giveaway

Saturday 26 February 2011



I've been wanting to do a giveaway for a while now. When I started this blog in May of 2009, I had no idea of how big it would grow. I simply wanted a place to be able to talk about my experiences cooking over here in the UK . . . the new tastes I was exploring, the different foods and cooking methods, the traditional and the not so traditional . . . that first month I didn't do that many posts, but I did share some tasty recipes such as Heuvos Rancheros and Fish and Chips . . . you can see that very early on I had a very distinct way of looking at this beautiful melting pot we call the UK and it's cuisine!

After almost 2 years, some 608 posts (including this one) and as many recipes, almost a million hits and a readership that has gone from strength to strength and is now nearing a thousand I thought it was about time I did a giveaway to show my thanks for all the lovin you have shown me over the past months and the inspiration. If it wasn't for you, my lovely readers, I just wouldn't be doing what I am doing and loving it oh so much!

I was going to wait until my followers hit 1000, but heck, I just can't wait. It's close, but not that close and I want to give you something now!



I am giving away a lovely baking set which consistes of a tasty little cookbook, "Cupcakes2 by Sue McMahon. It is filled with over 80 tasty recipes for all occasions and tastes . . . scrummy cupcake such as . . .



Pina Coloda Cupcakes . . . oh so yummy . . . and containing all the flavours of a true Pina Colada!
There are these yummy Banana and Toffee Cupcakes . . . and a whole host of other tasty ideas!



Not only am I giving away this delicious cookbook, but I am also throwing in some really cute cupcake wrappers (complete with adorable little cupcake pick) and a box of hundreds and thousands to decorate them with! What is a cupcake without some pretty decorations? They are a must!



Not only that, but I am also throwing in a set of Typhoon Cooking Scales, so that you North Americans can truly follow along with the weight measurements of my recipes, although to be sure I will still be converting them like I already do! (Never fear!)



To get in on the Giveaway all you have to do is to leave me a comment at the end of this post letting me know that you are one of my followers. I'll give you a week to do so and then on Friday the 4th of March at midnight I will draw one lucky name and then will send all these goodies off to you asap.

You don't need to live in the UK. You can live anywhere in the world. I only ask that you be a follower. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeasy!

And in the meantime here is that tasty banana cupcake recipe. I'm afraid that when I went to make them I had no evaporated milk in my cupboard! (How did that happen????) I ended up just frosting them with buttercream . . . but they were rather scrummy even without that Toffee Topping . . . mmm . . . mmm . . . good!



*Banana and Toffee Cupcakes*
Makes 12 small ones or 8 medium ones
Printable Recipe

I love it when I have black bananas on the countertop. It means I can bake tasty things like these delicious cupcakes!

3 1/2 ounces of butter, softened (7.06 TBS)
3 1/2 ounces of soft light brown sugar (1/2 cup plus 1 TBS firmly packed)
2 medium free range eggs
3 1/2 ounces of self raising flour (1 cup, less 2 TBS)
1 ripe banana, peeled and mashed

for the topping:
1 quantity of toffee topping (see below)
3 to 4 TBS of chocolate flavour sprinkles.

You will need one 12 hole bun tin lined with paper liners.

Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5.

Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Sift in the flour and add the eggs, beating all together until the mixture is smooth. Fold in the mashed banana. Divide the mixture equally amongst the paper cases. Bake in the centre of the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cakes have risen and are just firm to the touch in the centre. Remove from the oven and tip out onto a wire rack to cool.

For the topping, spread some toffee topping over the top of each cupcake and scatter on some chocolate decorations.



*Toffee Topping*
Makes enough for 12 standard cupcakes

3 1/2 ounces of butter (7.06 TBS)
4 1/2 ounces condensed milk (evaporated milk. a generous half cup)
2 ounces caster sugar (1/4 cup)
1 TBS golden syrup (can use corn syrup)


Place the butter in a large bowl and melt it in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds. Stir in the condensed milk, sugar and golden syrup. Cook in the microwave for 4 to 7 minutes on high, stirring at the end of every minute, until it is pale golden colour. Leave the topping to cool and thicken slightly, then spread ocer the cupcakes using a palate knife.

Alternately you can cook it in a saucepan for 4 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly sso that it doesn't stick!

Giveaway closed!

77 comments

  1. OH how absolutely delightful! And yes I am a follower... (even if I rarely comment!) And you have no idea how happy I am to see a banana cupcake recipe that does NOT include nuts... we always eliminate them from the recipe anyway.

    Thank you so very much for this opportunity!

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  2. I have been following your blog for a while and I have tried some of the recipes. Keep up the good work!

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  3. Love your blog Marie and the toffee cupcakes sound delicious. I do love anything with toffee or caramel flavours... Yum.. :))

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  4. I just joined your blog and must say that I will truly enjoy making these cupcakes, as well as many of your other recipes - particularly those of which are your UK inspired. It is great that you offer us americans conversions for your recipes! Looking forward to following on a food journey with you!

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  5. I am a follower of your blog and have been reading for a long time. I'm kind of the opposite of you. I was born in England and came to Canada with my family in my teens. Now it's MANY years later and I'm a grandmother. I love seeing some of the recipes you post as they bring back some wonderful memories for me.

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  6. I have been a follower for quite a while now. I love your vegetarian recipes and have made quite a few of them. I also love your cake recipes although my hips don't!! Keep up the good work x

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  7. im a follower and i LOVE your blog... everything is so sinfully GOOD!

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  8. I love your recipes :-)

    Cupcakes - who doesn't love them? Mmmmmmm...

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  9. I would love to enter this contest. I have just got my cooking mojo back after a year or so of not really baking much. It's such good therapy! Your blogs really are so inspirational. Have a lovely weekend! x

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  10. I am a follower! As a recently arrived foreigner to English shores, it has been a bit of an inspiration to me to start trying new things in my as yet woefully understocked kitchen.

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  11. I'm a follower! And may there be many more blog entries and followers to come.

    le.paradis.found at gmail dot com

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  12. Oooh, the cupcakes look delicious. And the giveaway is such a great idea! I'm a follower :)

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  13. oh thank you Marie for the opportunity,yes I followed you,I went thru yr blog,oh my, lovely goodies here

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  14. never been make cupcakes...i'm so afraid I will fail make it..
    So, if I have your little tasty cookbook on cupcakes...humm, it's like dream come true making cupcakes :)
    I one of your follower and I live in Indonesia ..you have an awesome blog!

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  15. Darn I just ate our last ripe banana..but wait.I think I have freezer ones..You know I am a follower..I just bought similar wrappers and cupcake toppers..I am not surprised:) The scale looks so cool..

    Not entering I live too far..It would cost you a week's worth of food to send..

    Congratulations on all your posts..You have spoiled us.
    I make more of your recipes that Martha's:)

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  16. I'm a follower! Thanks for helping me bring a little bit of home to our American table for my English husband!

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  17. Well we just had to become followers! Have been looking every day for months! You're doing a great job, perhaps you ought to be an honorary Englishwoman

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  18. Donna D. = Stratford26 February 2011 at 12:27

    HI Marie: I am a follower of your blog, it is the first one I read every morning. I enjoy your writing and your recipes, and would love to be included in your draw.

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  19. Dear Marie, I have been following your blog for months. I live in New Brunswick, Canada and especially enjoy your stories of growing up back east as we are of similar age. How you manage to keep up your numerous blogs is beyond me. I've also tried many of your recipes with great success. Enter my name in the draw please.

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  20. I am definitely a follower! Lost count of how many of your recipes I have made . . . always to rave reviews! Would love to win this! Much love to you my friend! Raquel XO

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  21. Just being a follower number 914. Found your blog while browsing thru the recipes. Love your blog, and i've bookmarked few of your recipes to try.

    Nice to know you,

    Hann
    Malaysia

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  22. I am a follower and a big fan of your blog!

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  23. Hello, Marie, from frosty western Pennsylvania! I read your blogs every morning, and especially love the recipes!

    Blessings,
    Cynthia

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  24. I am American but lived in England for 3 years. I follow your blog and love finding recipes I remember from my time there...

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  25. love, your blog! never been to england but would love to go some day!

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  26. I live in Canada (Alberta) and am originally from England (Sussex) I read your blog every day since I discovered it. (Fall of 2009) I have tried many of your recipes and love every one of them.
    Marian

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  27. I'm a new follower! Does that count? Those muffins look so moist!

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  28. yes I'm a follower. In fact you are the only food related blog I follow (vintage textiles are my thing)

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  29. Those muffins look scrumptious. Might give em a try. Hope you can enter me in your draw :) x

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  30. It's me again Marie..anything missing in the toffeetopping?

    It sounds like it may be liquidy? Am I wrong?:)

    Let me know:) Thank you!

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  31. Monique, I just noticed the instructions for the topping were't posted. I have fixed it now and it should work out perfectly. It is a caramel topping!

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  32. Hi another faithful follower her, we are many.
    It is just heaven visiting to look at the fab photos and drool, my husband makes me wait for him to come hoem from work so we can both read your latest offering. We have made some lovely dishes thanks to you.
    Thank you

    Jo x

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  33. That sounds like a wonderful giveaway, Marie. Please enter me in the drawing. Your faithful follower G-GG :o)

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  34. Those cupcakes look delicious! I'm a follower if you could please enter me into the giveaway :)
    xx

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  35. Another follower (from San Diego, California). Have a set of scales that I use for my European metric cookbooks so no need to enter your contest. I appreciate your recipes, both the English and Canadian ones. Must make the hot cross buns, English style soon.

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  36. I love following you! I definitely need to try this recipe

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  37. Marie, I am an ardent (though recent) follower of you and your cooking blog! I just love everything you do here. Thanks!

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  38. I'm a follower. I love your recipes! This cupcake recipe looks especially yummy!

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  39. Dear Marie I really love your giveaways are amazing! and you are nice to share this with all of us! You know my dear Im following you from the first day!! and I love your cupcakes look amazing and delicious.
    Send you huggs to you Tood and Daisie!! huggs gloria

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  40. I've been a follower of both your blogs for a long time. Great stuff!

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  41. Marie,
    I love both your sites - your recipes, photos, and writing.

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  42. Follower as well. Thanks


    Chris M.

    zekks at yahoo dot com

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  43. I love your blog and the photographs are fantastic! As I scroll through your site my mouth starts watering at all the deliciousness. I am a new fan and will definitely be trying your recipes in the days to come.

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  44. Fairy Cakes, cup cakes, call them what you will - I love 'em almost as much as I love reading your blog. Your site is a daily must read for my wife and I. Thanks for all your inspiration.

    Phil in Idaho.

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  45. I bet these are amazingly rich and dense with as few ingredients as that! I love banana and toffee together! So glad I follow your blog- I always leave hungry and bookmark loads of recipes to make!

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  46. love your blog! and love cupcakes! great recipes!

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  47. This sure looks like a wonderful giveaway you're having Marie! I would love to have my name added in your giveaway! The Pina Colada cupcakes sound sooo good!! I am one of your followers..

    Blessings,
    ~Lynn

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  48. WOW!! What a generous giveaway! I've been thinking that I needed to find some kitchen scales so I can follow along with all the recipes without Googling for the conversions. Winning would be even more fun!!! ;) I'm definitely one of your followers!

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  49. Thank you Marie for all the work & effort you put into your magical blog!
    From a Follower & Friend from Day 1
    Millie x

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  50. Marie,
    How nice of you to have a contest! I love your blog and am enjoying it so much. You are not only a wonderful cook but an inspirational writer...xxoo Marti in CA

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  51. I'm a fairly new follower (I stumbled across your blog about a fortnight ago), but I would love to enter your contest, if that isn't too cheeky as a new reader!

    I'm just starting to try out your recipes and really enjoying them so far! Earlier in the week, I made your beef, bacon and bean casserole (the one topped with broken tortilla chips) - divine! Tonight, I'm doing your mashed potato pie with cheese, ham, peas and chives... and then some time next week, I'm going to do your sausage and pasta dish, the one with the cabbage, and the sauce made with mustard and cream. I cannot wait!

    xo

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  52. How lovely, a great blog and presents too. Hope I win.

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  53. Hello Marie,
    I'm a follower too. I'm from spain(santiago de compostela) and i love cooking and learning new recipes. I founded your blog surfing on the internet while i was looking for a blog where i could find and learned different recipes that i already know. And i have to say, every post looks delicious! I love your blog, you're so unique. Thanks for the opportunity and thanks for sharing your lovely recipes! paula.

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  54. Marie you totally deserve the success you have with your blog, its all your hard work that makes this such a wonderful blog to visit ;0)
    I have a copy of this book in my collection and I've probably made just about every cupcake in it, never had a fail with it yet! Good luck to the lucky winner.

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  55. I've loved reading your blog for a long time! Those banana and toffee cupcakes look just divine.

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  56. Marie, I haven't been following you for very long, but in the last three weeks I have tried 4 of your recipes. My family and I LOVE them! :) Thank you for sharing. Every week I look forward to adding another of your recipes to our menu!!

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  57. I love cupcakes :)

    I've been following you in Google reader since I moved to the UK in January :)

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  58. I love your blog & I'm definately a follower. I have your blog in my iphone favourites so i can find the recipes easy when im making them. The lemon curd cupcakes were my favourite!! But i love all yoyr recipes.
    Living in the uk but having family in Canada I love how you adapt your recipes from both countries.

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  59. Cupcakes are wonderful and so fun to make!!!

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  60. I follow your lovely blog and as an british ex pat appreciate your conversions now I live in the US!

    thepricklypinecone(at)gmail.com

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  61. funny.. you and i have both giveaways in our blogs..
    i wish you luck in mine and wish me luck in yours.. :)

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  62. I only recently found your blog and am glad I did - it's awesome :)

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  63. Yes, Yes! I am a follower from Paris, France and I really enjoy taking a peak into an English kitchen. Thank you :)

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  64. I love the grown-up cupcakes! They aren't just for the kiddos anymore! I love your blog and look forward to the luscious photos.....sometimes I feel like I can almost taste and smell your wonderful creations!

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  65. Marie, I am a follower and we have enjoyed many of your recipes....love your blog. Count me in!

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  66. I am a dedicated follower my dear Marie:)
    But don't include me in the draw. I am just happy to have our new friendship:)

    Hugs

    Sheilagh
    xxx

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  67. I am a lurker...as I don't know how to be a follower (don't have a blog)- love your site and have cooked many many of your recipes - think I found you first through full bellies, happy kids when your blog was called Oak Cottage
    Cathy

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  68. I've been a follower for quite some time now. Love to check in and see what you are cooking for dinner or baking for tea. The last recipe I made was the cauliflower rarebit cheese thingy. Very delicious! Ta ta for now!

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  69. Love to see what is going on in your world across the big water! I have tried a few of your recipes - even hunting down the special ingredients as necessary. Now if only I can find someone in Michigan who makes clotted cream so I don't have to get it from a jar!!

    Shirlsaw

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  70. Marie, I love your recipes and have made several of them with good results each time. We have made the cheesy cauliflower and everyone wants the recipe. The pina colada cupcakes sound particularly scrummy, but am going to try the banana ones today. I would love to win this give away, especially the scales. Blessings, Lynn

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  71. I am a follower of this blog...This blog is awesome...:)

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  72. Proud follower! :o)
    I love your blog, recipes and photos!

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  73. Have been following your blog for some time now & have used loads of your receipes & all have been a huge success.
    I always read your blog whilst the Sunday roast is doing its stuff in the oven - keep up the good work.

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  74. I'd love to go into the draw if that's OK - I've been a follower for a while now, and every recipe makes me drool with delight. I've managed to tempt a few other people to follow too, and now they're as hooked as I am :) Your blog is always a true delight to read :D

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  75. Love your recipes, Photos and thoughts. I read your blog everyday and have been a follower for a few years now. Please count me in your draw.

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  76. I stumbled onto your blog a while ago and it turned out to be just like a good book your cant put down till your done reading in. In a few days I'd gone through all your blog posts. I love your blog and yes, I'm a follower too!!!

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