Hummingbird Cupcakes with Cream Cheese-Maple Frosting and Praline Topper

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 30 muffin tin cups with paper liners.

2 . Stage

Cream 2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Combine mashed bananas and pineapple in a separate bowl. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.

3 . Stage

Add flour mixture and banana mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture in alternating additions, mixing well after each. Stir in coconut and pecans. Fill lined muffin tin cups 2/3 full with batter.

4 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until a cupcake top bounces back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

5 . Stage

Heat 1 1/2 cups white sugar, dark brown sugar, milk, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, and salt in a heavy saucepan over medium heat to a soft-ball candy thermometer reading of 235 degrees F (112 degrees C). Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Scoop caramel mixture onto a sheet of waxed paper while still warm. Add pecans while still warm and allow praline topping to cool before handling further.

6 . Stage

Combine cream cheese, 1 cup butter, and maple syrup together in a bowl, scraping the sides down with a spatula. Add confectioners' sugar slowly until frosting is well mixed.

7 . Stage

Add frosting to the tops of the cooled cupcakes and top with praline topping.