Sock Monkey Birthday Cupcakes

I love how old things some how become new again!! As a child I remember Sock Monkeys, I don’t remember ever owning one, but I do remember seeing them.

So when my niece told me she was using a Sock Monkey theme for her son’s Birthday, I immediately started thinking of how I could help. You see, they live in Oklahoma, so I won’t be able to attend the party, but I still wanted to help out, if I could.

And…Charlotte from The Paper Cupcake {once again} came to my rescue! She created some absolutely adorable cupcake wrappers and toppers for the Birthday Party. Now, all I had to do was come up with some cupcakes and frosting. Since monkey’s {and most humans} love bananas, what better cupcake flavor than banana!

Aren’t they the cutest EVER? Even though these are virtual cupcakes…I’m so excited to share them with my niece and her son!!

Happy Birthday Noah!!!

I’m just so proud of my niece and her amazing little squishy!! I just wish I lived closer to celebrate the big day with them!

Banana Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe:

Cupcakes: {adapted from Food Network} recipe makes 12-18 cupcakes

• 1 cup flour, all-purpose
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
• 1/2 cup walnute, chopped, optional

Directions:

Combine dry ingredients and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the sour cream and vanilla, mix well. Add the eggs one at a time. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing well, but be careful not to over mix. Fold in the bananas and walnuts.

Tip: if your bananas are not “over-ripe” simply place them in the microwave for about 1 minute to soften them. Be careful when removing them, they will be very hot. Chunk them and mash them in the food processor or by hand.

Divide batter into cupcake liners, bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz package Cream Cheese, softened
• 3-4 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1-2 tablespoon Milk

Directions:

Beat cream cheese until fluffy, gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with a little milk at a time until desired consistency. Add spices to taste.

 

Monkey Cupcakes:

Because I know you are simply dying to know how to make these…

Supplies:

• Cupcakes
• Chocolate frosting {store bought or homemade}
• Nutter Butter Cookies
• Mini Vanilla Wafer Cookies
• M&M’s {I used light blue from the Easter bag}
• Black Frosting
• Red Frosting
• Decorator bags
• #1 and #3 round tips
• Small star tip for hair

Putting these cute little Monkeys together are really easy…

1. Frost cupcake with chocolate frosting. Cut off 1/3 of a  mini vanilla wafer and place on cupcake
2. Cut a Nutter Butter cookie in half, add to cupcake for ears
3. Add M&M’s for eyes
4. Add eyes using a #1 round tip with black. And mouth using a #3 round tip with red. Add hair with chocolate frosting using a small star tip

Bakers Tip: Use a serrated knife to cut the cookies, and carefully “saw” them.

Here is a closer look at how I did the faces…

And now for the printables…

Head on over and visit Charlotte from The Paper Cupcake!! She has these adorable wrappers, toppers and even some invitations in her Etsy Shop!

I decorated them with blue sugar, yellow sprinkles and small candy bananas.

And, in case you are wondering…I found the Sock Monkey at Target. The Monkey Cupcakes were inspired by the Taste of Home Fun Food Magazine.

I’m linking to…Weekend WrapUp Party, Saturday Night Special, Get Your Craft On, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Ultimate Recipe Swap, Ingredient Spotlight