Description
Decadent chocolate cupcakes with a molten peanut butter center, topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting and a mini peanut butter cup. A rich dessert that combines the classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 12 peanut butter cups, frozen
- For the filling: 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- For the frosting: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Mini peanut butter cups for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add vegetable oil, egg, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in hot water until batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.
- Fill each cupcake liner half full with batter.
- Place one frozen peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake, then top with more batter until liners are 3/4 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the cake part comes out clean. The center will be soft.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. While cooling, prepare the filling: heat peanut butter in a microwave for 20 seconds until runny.
- Using a knife or piping bag, inject or spoon a small amount of runny peanut butter into the center of each cupcake (after removing the baked peanut butter cup? Actually, the peanut butter cup creates the lava center, so skip this step). Instead, let the cupcakes cool completely.
- For the frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes with the peanut butter frosting and top each with a mini peanut butter cup.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste. For a more intense peanut butter flavor, use chunky peanut butter in the frosting or add a pinch of sea salt on top. The lava center is formed by the melting peanut butter cup during baking, so ensure the cups are frozen before adding to the batter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Dessert
- Cuisine: American