Mini Banana Cupcakes

Yesterday I got in the mood to bake, I was searching for recipes, which is normally easy; but when you don't have butter it makes it harder. I found this recipe and another, I polled the WC Board on the nest, and this was the chosen recipe, I am SO happy it was, it's SOOO good. It's like a little piece of banana bread in the form of a cookie. I left off the frosting recipe after reading the reviews that says it was too sweet, etc. I think they are great without!

Banana Cake Cookies (From: Allrecipes)

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I used allspice)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Cream shortening; add brown sugar, beating well. Add eggs and banana; beat well.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add to creamed mixture; mix well. Stir in pecans.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto greased cookies sheets. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Dip half of cooled cookies into Powdered Sugar Icing.

To Make Icing: Combine 3 cups confectioner's sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add milk to yield desired consistency (you may need to add a little extra), beating until smooth.