Peanut butter and chocolate can be a controversial combination. I along with everyone in my family happen to love it.
Post my older sisters high school graduation, she requested chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and a chocolate ganache filling. Since then these cupcakes have become a staple that are made at least once a year and many variations have been made.
I've made these cupcakes with cherry frosting and coconut frosting before, and they are always just as good. I've also made them with and without a stand mixer, both ways turned out great.
So here's the recipe with pictures to go along:
Ingredients for cupcakes from glorious treats:
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
I add around a tablespoon of espresso powder to amp the chocolate flavor, but its okay if you leave it out, I don't always remember to add it.
Ingredients for frosting also from glorious treats:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup smooth peanut butter
8 ounces cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon heavy cream
Here's the link for the original recipe for the cupcakes and frosting: https://www.glorioustreats.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-cupcakes-recipe/
Ingredients for ganache from the gracious wife:
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate
Here's the link for the original recipe for the ganache: https://www.thegraciouswife.com/easy-chocolate-ganache/
Instructions for cupcakes:
line muffin tin with cupcake liners and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combines sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
Add in boiling water. This will make the batter very very thin, don't worry that's correct)
Bake cupcakes for around 22-24 minutes until a toothpick comes out relatively clean.
Cool cupcakes before filling or frosting.
Instructions for frosting:
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and combined.
Add in the peanut butter and mix until combined.
Slowly add in the powdered sugar.
Add in heavy cream and refrigerate until ready to use.
Instructions for ganache:
Chop chocolate until in small pieces and place into a bowl.
Heat cream in a small pot until hot, but not boiling.
Add the hot cream to the chocolate and mix until smooth, it might not seem like the mixture will come together but eventually it will.
Let cool.
Assembly:
Take a cupcake and cut a hole in the center. I like to use a large piping tip to pull out the center. If the cupcake holds together, cut off the top of the part you just took out and set aside.
Filling the center of the cupcake with the cooled ganache and place the top of the cupcake back of top to cover the filling.
Frosting with the frosting.
Enjoy!
I think these cupcakes are best served cold, it makes the filling like fudge in the center. However, other people like them room temperature so it's all up to you.
Make these for your next event, I'm sure you won't regret it.
Happy Baking!
- Ellie