Banana Split Cupcakes

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to this recipe, because I don't care for maraschino cherries. However, we made it anyway, and it's not too bad. You can make it yourself, if you'd like!

Banana Split Cupcakes

• Yellow cake mix
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
• 1 cup water
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup mashed banana (3 small ones)
• 1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips, divided
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla frosting (or one can)
• 1 cup marshmallow creme (about 7 oz. jar)
• 1 teaspoon shortening
• 30 whole maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry

Take two tablespoons of the cake mix and combine with the chopped cherries. Add the water, eggs and banana to the remaining cake mix and beat together for a couple of minutes. Gently fold in the cherries and 1 cup of the chocolate chips. Spoon into cupcake liners and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Combine the frosting and marshmallow creme and frost the cupcakes. Melt the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips with the shortening and drizzle over the cupcakes. Garnish with a whole cherry.