Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Sorry I have been away.  I’ve actually been on vacation with my family in Atlanta.  We are heading back to Florida tomorrow.  I have really enjoyed being “home” and seeing friends and family but I’m looking forward to getting back home to our house and our routine.  If that makes any sense?  It’s always different when you are in someone elses home, even if it’s my parents.  It’s also been non-stop since we’ve been here so I’m looking forward to being home and having one more day at home before heading back to work.  Maybe I’ll get that nap I’ve been dreaming about my whole vacation!

While here in Atlanta we had a cook-out with neighbors and family and my mom volunteered me to make desserts along with some other dishes.  I thought I would share with you one of the desserts I made for the cook-out.  I actually found it in the Pillsbury Baking Off Cookbook.  The recipe was pretty good but if I made it again I would definitely do some things differently.  I think I would sub the chocolate batter for my favorite chocolate cake recipe and perhaps add a peanut butter frosting.  It was just missing something.  It was still good and actually better the second day.  So here you go Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cupcakes….I hope you enjoy.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  The weather has been beautiful here in Atlanta.  Hope it’s been nice where ever you are. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Print Recipe

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup canola oil (or vegetable)

1 cup hot water

1 Tbsp White Vinegar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

1 – 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup powder sugar

3/4 cup chocolate and peanut butter chips, divided

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a muffin tin with muffin liners, set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking soda and salt.  Add oil, water, vinegar and vanilla to flour mixture, stirring just until smooth (do not over mix).  Gently stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate and peanut butter chips.

In another large bowl, beat egg, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed.  Add powder sugar; beat until creamy.

Spoon 1 level tablespoon of chocolate batter into each cup; evenly spread 1 level tablespoon peanut butter filling on top.  Repeat layers.  Sprinkle with remaining chocolate and peanut butter chips.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not over bake).  Cool in pan 15 minutes.  Remove from pan to cool on wire rack; 15 minutes.  Serve warm or cool.