The Comforting Vegan : The Elvis 'Don't Be Cruel' Vegan Cupcake

The Elvis 'Don't Be Cruel' Vegan Cupcake

Elvis 'The King' was known for his living life with unlimited decadence. He didn't do anything in moderation and when you look at his food, you can see how true that is. One of the main dishes he is known for is his infamous Fried Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwiches that made not only his mouth water but everyone else who tries it. Later the sandwich adapted the bacon topping and made it even more over the top and who can't look at it and not think wow. I wanted to recreate it into a less messy, fattening, but just as scrumptious dessert that will make any lover of the infamous treat take notice. This recipe lives up to its name, its far from cruel and definitely delish. It packs a punch with its fluffy vegan banana cake, rich PB frosting, and addictive vegan coconut bacon on top. Perfect for any Elvis or food lover. Serve with a big glass of vegan milk and put on Elvis's 'Don't Be Cruel' because your about to feel like Elvis with this decadent dessert. Enjoy!

The Elvis 'Don't Be Cruel' Vegan Cupcake
Yields: 14 to 17 cupcakes (Depending on Size)

Ingredients

Vegan Banana Cake

-3 cups all-purpose flour
-1 Tablespoon baking powder
-3/4 teaspoon salt
-1 cups plain vegan milk (this has vanilla hemp milk)
-1/2 cup Coconut shortening or Vegan butter, at room temperature
-1 1/3 cups sugar
-1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

-2 large ripened Bananas, finely mashed
-2 Tablespoons vegan sour cream

Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting

-1/2 cup Crisco
-1 1/3 to 2 cups powdered sugar (depending on PB Brand/texture)
-1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
-1 cup smooth peanut butter
-Pinch Salt

Decoration

-1/3 cup to 2/3 cup Phoney Baloney's Coconut Bacon (or any other brand/homemade), 1 to 2 tsp on each

Directions

Vegan Banana Cake

Heat Oven to 350 Degrees

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, place the two large banana in and turn the mixer on medium-high to mash the bananas. This is a very simply way to mash the bananas without making another bowl dirty and no effort on your part...best part!

Mashed Bananas

Once your bananas are mashed, add in the coconut shortening or Crisco and sugars on medium-high speed until mixed, approximately 3 minutes.

Bananas with Coconut Shortening

Add the vanilla and vegan sour cream in and mix well. Measure out the vegan milk (I used vegan vanilla hemp in this recipe). On low speed, add the flour mixture and the vegan milk mixture alternately one at a time, beginning with the vegan milk mixture and ending with the flour mixture.

1 cup Vegan Vanilla Hemp Milk

Dry Ingredients

Mix the batter only until blended. Scrap sides as needed through the process. You don't want to over mix, you want a light and fluffy cake.

Banana Cake Batter

Pour the batter into the prepared cupcake baking pans with cupcake wrapper, smooth the top with the batter with a spatula.

Cupcake Station

Filled Cupcake Wrappers

Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and cake springs back. I check them half way threw (15 minutes) and before they come out.

Cupcakes in the Oven

Part way through Cooking

Fully Baked Cupcakes

Cool to room temperature before frosting. Tip: Take out of baking pan after resting for 5 minutes in cupcake tins. This ensures they don't over cook, BE CAREFUL!

Cooled Cupcakes

Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting

In the stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the Crisco and vanilla on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn the mixer to low (stir setting), add the sugar and salt, mix until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium high and beat and add in the Peanut Butter until fluffy, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

PB Frosting Ingredients Combined

With the mixer on low, gradually mix in the powdered sugar. Beat on low until incorporated, then beat on medium high until the frosting is airy and thoroughly mixed, about 1 to 2 minute, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Finished PB Frosting

Assembly

When cupcakes are cooled completely, place on a clean decorating surface and frost the cupcakes with as much frosting as desired. In my case I used a flat frosting knife to decorating with a good amount of frosting on each.

Frosted Cupcakes

You could also use a piping bag fitted with a large tip (the frosting is thick). Either way with a piping bag or knife they will turn out fantastic and delish. Once you have added the frosting, sprinkle 1 to 2 tsp of vegan coconut bacon (Phoney Baloney's) on each cupcake.