{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!