Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Special Treats: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing

03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (1)

This weekend I decided to bake yet again! This time I made some chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing. Overall, this was a very yummy cupcake! The icing was DELICIOUS, and the cupcake was tasty but a little dry. I think I overcooked them (Boohoo) but they were still tasty :) .... Overall, I would say a 7 out of 10 for this recipe. If I manage to make them more moist next time, then I would say they are more like an 8.5 or 9.

03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (2)

Recipe: Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing


Ingredients:
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup good cocoa powder (I used Hershey's)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing, recipe follows
  • Chopped salted peanuts, to decorate, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixed fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes.

3. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee.

5. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

6. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it's completely blended.

7. Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes (Note: I personally recommend baking around 16-18 minutes so that the cupcakes are more moist), until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.

8. Frost each cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired.


Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing:

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream

1. Place the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work.

2. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (3)

I found a video on YouTube that really helped me ice the cupcakes much better! They turned out much prettier than usual, so I would highly recommend checking it out!
03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (4)
03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (5)

Once you are finished icing the cupcakes, you can add some peanuts on top as decoration. They are pretty and very delicious :)
03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (6)
03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (7)

After that, all you need to do is eat...
03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (8)

and smile :) ...
03 March 29 - Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing (9)

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