For those of us who don’t live close enough to Brennan’s (the New Orleans restaurant that is known for creating the original bananas foster dessert), we can get our bananas foster fix by giving this cupcake recipe a whirl.

The base is just a simple yellow cake recipe with a mashed, ripe banana added, and the icing is plain buttercream with cinnamon added.  The cupcakes are then rolled in chopped, toasted almonds and topped with candied pecans and a rum-laced sauce consisting of bananas caramelized in brown sugar and butter.  Use your own recipes for the batter and icing, and you can find the recipe for the topping here.  This sounds heavenly!

We just found an interesting interview with Mia Bauer, the cofounder of Crumbs Bake Shop at a cool new blog called No Joe Schmo. Crumbs Bake Shop churns out 1 million cupcakes per month at 36 different locations across the country! That’s a whole lotta cupcakes! They always roll out a new “Cupcake of the Week” and always feature a “Cupcake of the Month.” Our photo is of July’s S’mores Cupcake: chocolate cake filled with vanilla cream cheese frosting, topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting and covered with chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces. Yum! Who needs a campfire?

And, Crumbs is the only publicly traded stock for a cupcake company, so if you’re looking to invest…

This cupcake is said to be “undeniably one of the richest chocolate cakes you can make that isn’t flourless”.  Wow! Sounds like a great baking opportunity for all you chocolate fans out there!  Use this dark chocolate cake recipe for the batter and this recipe for homemade whipped cream.  You can even make your own brandied maraschino cherries, which are used both inside the cake and on top.  Instructions for assembly are in this article.

What’s cute, useful and shaped like a flower?  Why, it’s this week’s giveaway! 

This flower tower is being given away to one lucky reader by ATC sponsor The Smart Baker.   It’s reusable, adjustable and can fit up to 48 regular size cupcakes (or 80 minis) or many other delicious treats.    The Smart Baker can also help you to create your own tower design.   Looking for a specific shape?  They can help!    

To enter this giveaway, click on the comment area below and tell us your favorite item from The Smart Baker OR tell us what tower you would love to create.   One winner will be chosen on Monday, July 18.

Make sure to like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter too!

Looking for a unique way to display your mini cupcakes? How about The Pastry Pedestal designed by Jess from Pen and Paperflowers.  Instead of the typical cake stand these reusable stands allow you to customize your cupcakes for each event.  The starter kit includes 12 rounds, 12 rods in 3 varying sizes, 12 stabilizing rings, and a drawstring bag for storage.  The kit can purchased from the website for $29.99 or you can enter to win the Amy Atlas giveaway that ends Tuesday July 12, 2011.

After the brilliant fireworks display provided last night at Sodus Point, NY, I thought I’d search out some fireworks cupcakes for your Fourth of July.

Here’s a nifty 3 minute video from Kitchen Daily, if you’re looking for a last minute idea this morning.  The start can be boxed cake mix and purchased frosting.  The ingredients suggested to decorate the tops are ones that you are likely to have around your kitchen, if you have kids in the house.  Easy!

Wilton's 4th of July cupcake tree

Here’s another quick tip from Wilton decorating supplies.  Vanilla cupcakes, iced in white, with little red, white, and blue toppers, stacked on a cupcake tree.  Festive!

One more quick tip?  How about using your thin push frosting in a drapped fashion?  This Food Snots blog photo is a third, super-quick, company’s-coming, and what-am-I-serving tip for the Fourth.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

In case you need more patriotic ideas for your 4th of July celebration on Monday, here’s a fun cupcake recipe.