Chocolate Banana Cupcakes

The main thing I want to convey about these cupcakes is that they are supreme. I don't think there is a better banana bread or cake recipe out there, as I have tried so many others, both vegan and not. This is my recipe though, so I may be biased. I do know for sure that it is delicious, and for you banana bread lovers this is just a wonderful recipe to have around the house. I am going to list the exact ingredients and brands, b/c the cupcake pictured turned out so perfect that I want to make sure you get a proper run down!

Banana Chocolate Cupcakes/Bread
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour (King Arthur)
3/4 cup of light brown sugar (Florida Crystal's Organic)
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup applesauce (or 4 tablespoons)
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup organic, vanilla soy milk
1 small, organic banana

Preheat oven to 340 degrees. Set up muffin tin with aluminium cupcake wrappers sprayed with cooking spray.

In a bowl, mix the first six ingredients well. Create a well & add the next 5 ingredients. Be sure to squeeze the banana through your hands to create a pudding like texture. Mix gently. Pour into muffin tins & bake for 18-20 min. Allow to cool before putting on chocolate ganache.

*This recipe made 7 cupcakes for me. I really filled each cup to the top! If you make 7 cupcakes from the above portions each cupcake, without ganache, will have: 8.7 grams of fat (only .7 saturated), 265 Calories, 0 cholesterol, 0 trans fats, 376 mg sodium... If this is high for your goals, just make smaller cupcakes. Mine were really large!

Chocolate Ganache
2 tablespoons of earth balance spread
1/3 cup of soy milk
6 oz. vegan chocolate chips or other real chocolate

In the top part of a double boiler, place the soy milk and margarine. Heat & stir together until smooth. Add the vegan chocolate chips whisking constantly until the vegan chocolate has melted & the mixture is smooth. Quickly remove from heat to avoid burning the chocolate. Store excess in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be reheated as needed.
*Ganache is not low fat, but this one is free of cholesterol and trans fat!