Jan 9, 2011

{Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes}


Oh.  My.  Yummy.

I needed to make some treats for some people.
I like to make treats that I would like to receive.
So I decided to make cupcakes.

But not just any cupcakes.

{Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes}!

Peanut Butter, oh how I love you!
And mixed with chocolate?  
How can you go wrong?


 Here's the recipe:
{Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes}

1 box chocolate cake mix
1 package Reese's Peanut Butter Chips


I started with my chocolate cake mix (I bought what was on sale) 
and these:
 Which, by the way, are delicious in and of themselves.

I made the cake mix according to directions, but I added about 1/3 c applesauce (I used the snack cups that my kids eat) to help keep the cupcakes nice and moist.

Then I added the chips:

 I spooned them into my cupcake wrappers in my muffin tins and baked according to the directions on the cake mix (the cake mix I used said to fill the cups 1/2 full but I filled mine about 3/4 full.  I like my cupcakes BIG!).


While the cupcakes were cooling, I made the peanut butter frosting.
This, my friends, is what makes these cupcakes oh. so. yummy.


Peanut Butter Frosting

2 Tbsp butter
2/3 c peanut butter (heaping)
5 c powdered sugar
6 to 7 Tbsp milk

I usually just make up my frosting recipes, so when I made this one, I made it up, too.  I started with 1/3 c peanut butter, added 1 Tbsp butter, added some powdered sugar and then a little milk.  It did NOT make enough frosting!  So I doubled this recipe for you so you can cover all of your cupcakes.  

I know, I know.  You're welcome :)

I creamed the butter and the peanut butter:
 {remember, you want your peanut butter heaping}

Next I added the powdered sugar.  Mix until well blended. 

It will be really thick at this point.  Add your milk a little at a time until you get your desired consistency.  You can use a little more or a little less than the recipe says.  Play around with it until you get your desired consistency.  I wanted mine pretty thick, at least a little thicker than I usually make frosting.  I actually had half and half on hand so I used that to make my frosting extra creamy.

Blend a little longer than you think is necessary.  I think this helps the frosting become extra smooth, but it's not scientifically proven to do so :)

Next, get a plastic sandwich bag and spoon the frosting in (I forgot to take pics, dang it!).  Fill it up and zip it closed.  Snip the corner with some scissors:
{Note:  snip the corner AFTER you fill the bag with frosting!  Since I forgot to take pics while I was actually doing it, I took a pic after for your viewing pleasure}

Starting on the outer top of the cupcake, squeeze your bag and swirl it around the cupcake until you have covered the whole cupcake.
 
I promise you, this is easier than just using a knife and spreading it on.  Plus it's so much prettier!  It makes the cupcakes feel fancy :)

How fun would it be to add a sprinkling of mini chocolate chips on top?

And that, my friends, is how you can make yourself a chocolatey, peanut-buttery treat.  Mmm, mmm good!

6 Nuggets of Love:

April said...

Dang you Michelle! I am on a no sugar diet to lose the last 10 lbs from having Finn and oh how I love pb and chocolate! I cant wait to make these sometime!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, those look divine! Plus thanks for the frosting swirly tip, it does look fancy.

The Yoder's Five said...

I've got to try that frosting bag trick! And I just posted cupcake recipes on my blog today, too. Awesome.

Allison said...

UM--seriously, I just posted about a homemade peanut butter cup recipe that I am now blaming my spare tire on, ahem . . . and I read this?? NO!!

Looks great! Would you consider linking this recipe to the Tell Me Tuesday link party on Vintage Pollyanna? http://vintagepollyanna.blogspot.com/2011/01/tell-me-tuesday-9.html

Chiara said...

YUMMILICIOUS! I was just brainstorming a peanutbutter and chocolate cupcake recipe, and I stumbled upon your post! I love peanut butter chips, and I also love that bag trick--it does make the cakes look fancy. :) I can't wait to try--thank you for sharing!

The Crafty Side Of Life said...

Wow, those look awesome!! Your blog is so cute!

I am going to be having a Linky party this weekend, Friday-Sunday, Please come and participate!! Hope to see you there!

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