Banana Pudding Cupcakes

I love to bake my cupcakes, and when I find one, make it and find it to be out of this world, I have to share it..These are amazing with a vanilla cookie crust, filled with homemade banana pudding, moist cupcakes and homemade whipped cream..Really, yes..these are the best!!!Enjoy!!!

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 24 vanilla wafer cookies 
For the banana pudding:
• 2 1/4 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 bananas
For the whipped cream topping:
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Banana slices and vanilla wafers for garnish (optional)

Instructions

First make the Pudding:
1. Combine 2 cups of milk and the sugar in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir together and heat until simmering.
2. Whisk egg yolks together in a medium-sized bowl and slowly pour about half of the milk mixture into it with one hand while whisking with the other until combined. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot with the rest of milk.
3. In a small bowl combine the remaining 1/4 cup of milk with the cornstarch until thick and combined. Pour it into the milk mixture and turn the heat back up to medium. Whisk constantly until very thick and bubbling like lava.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract and butter until smooth and combined. Transfer pudding to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly onto the surface and chill in the fridge while you make the cupcakes.
For the Cupcakes:
5. Preheat oven to 350F.
6. Line cupcake pans with liners; set aside.
7. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
8. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, mix in vanilla.
9. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Scrape down the bowl- don't over mix the batter.
10. Place a vanilla wafer into the bottom of each cupcake liner- or if using mini sized- break 2-3 apart so they fit into each liner. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool for 5 minutes and then remove from pan. Let cupcakes cool completely before filling/frosting.
For the whipped cream:
11. Place metal bowl and wire whisk beater or beaters in freezer to chill.
12. In a small saucepan stir together the powdered sugar and cornstarch. Slowly pour in 1/2 cup heavy cream and whisk until smooth.
13. Place on medium heat and stir constantly until mixture thickens and almost comes to a boil. (it will look pudding-like) Remove from heat, transfer to a small bowl and pop it in the freezer to chill while you start whipping the cream.
14. In the chilled bowl combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and the vanilla and beat with the chilled whisk of your stand mixer (or hand mixer) until very soft peaks form. While still beating add the powdered sugar/cornstart mixture a little at a time. Beat until the mixture holds stiff peaks and seems spreadable. (Don't over-mix!)
To assemble:
15. Chop the bananas into small pieces and fold into the chilled pudding.
16. Use a paring knife to cut a circle in the top of each cupcake with your knife at an angle making a cone-shape. Remove the cones and fill each cupcakes with a generous dollop of pudding- spreading it to the edges if desired.
17. Frost with whipped cream topping and top with a banana slice and vanilla wafer. (Banana slices will turn brown eventually so do this right before serving!)

recipe from:http://www.the-baker-chick.com/2014/01/banana-pudding-cupcakes/