Indulge in the ultimate chocolate and peanut butter experience with these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes! Each cupcake features a rich, moist chocolate cake with a hidden surprise of a Reese’s mini peanut butter cup baked inside. Topped with a fluffy, creamy peanut butter frosting, these cupcakes are a decadent treat for any peanut butter lover. Perfect for parties, holidays, or just a special dessert, these cupcakes are sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 (15.25-ounce) chocolate cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 32-40 Reese’s mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
For the Peanut Butter Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons milk (or more as needed)
Instructions:
- Prepare for Baking:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
- Make the Cupcakes:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, sour cream, and vegetable oil. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat the mixture on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes to ensure a smooth batter.
- Fill each cupcake liner halfway with the batter. Press one Reese’s mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cupcake. Depending on the size of your cupcake pan, you should get about 16-20 cupcakes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing on low speed until the ingredients are combined. Once the frosting is moistened, increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Frost the Cupcakes:
- Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, use a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 2D tip (or any other preferred tip) to frost the cupcakes with the peanut butter frosting.
- Garnish each cupcake with chopped Reese’s mini peanut butter cups for an extra touch of indulgence.
Tips:
- Customization: For an even richer flavor, try substituting the vegetable oil with melted butter. You can also use a chocolate fudge cake mix for a deeper chocolate taste.
- Storage: Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Allow refrigerated cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving to ensure the frosting is soft and creamy.
- Variation: For a fun twist, try using Reese’s Pieces or peanut butter chips in the frosting or as a topping.
- Time-Saver: If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought peanut butter frosting instead of making it from scratch, but the homemade version will give you that rich, creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the chocolate cupcake.
These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes are the perfect marriage of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite, making them a must-try for any dessert enthusiast. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just treating yourself, these cupcakes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
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