Banana Cupcakes

Monkey Loves to eat Banana's! In fact Nana for banana's was one of his first words. I kid you not! At times his cravings can be hit or miss. So in order to use up any leftover ripe banana's I snagged this yummy recipe:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Colored sprinkles, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and bananas. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to banana mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.

Fill 18 paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; add enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with sprinkles if desired. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.