Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes: An Easy Recipe for an Irresistible Treat
Indulge in the ultimate flavor combination with these incredible Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes! This beloved recipe was originally inspired by the delightful cupcake shop aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas cruise ship, bringing a touch of vacation magic right into your kitchen. These aren’t just any chocolate cupcakes; they feature a moist, rich chocolate base, generously filled with a creamy peanut butter mixture, crowned with a luscious homemade chocolate frosting, and finished with a glossy ganache and a miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It’s a symphony of sweet and salty, soft and smooth, that’s guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering or a perfect treat for yourself.
Effortless Excellence: Cake Mix Based Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
We believe that incredible flavor doesn’t always have to mean endless hours in the kitchen. That’s why this fantastic Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake recipe begins with a simple, convenient box of cake mix. Using a high-quality chocolate fudge cake mix, such as Betty Crocker Super Moist or your preferred brand, provides a consistent and perfectly moist base every time. This approach allows you to focus your culinary creativity on the show-stopping elements: the rich peanut butter filling, the velvety chocolate frosting, and the decadent ganache. The beauty of starting with a cake mix is that it saves you time and effort without compromising on taste, especially once you add all the luxurious layers that make these cupcakes so special. Plus, as a little secret tip, you can enhance the chocolate flavor even further by substituting the water called for on the box with brewed coffee!
The true magic of these Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes lies in their thoughtful construction. Each component plays a vital role in creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. From the deep chocolate notes of the cupcake itself to the creamy, slightly salty peanut butter hidden inside, every bite is an experience. The fluffy, sweet chocolate frosting provides a perfect canvas for the glossy chocolate ganache, which adds another layer of intense chocolate goodness. And, of course, no Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake would be complete without a cute Reese’s mini perched atop, often surrounded by a scattering of chocolate sprinkles for that extra touch of fun and visual appeal. This layered approach ensures that even with a cake mix base, the final product feels utterly gourmet and completely irresistible.
Elevate Your Baking: The Scratch Version Alternative
For those who adore the process of baking from scratch and prefer to craft every element themselves, this recipe is incredibly versatile. While a quality cake mix provides a fantastic foundation, you can absolutely make the chocolate cupcake base from scratch. This allows for greater control over ingredients and offers the satisfaction of a completely homemade treat. If you’re inclined to bake your chocolate cupcakes from scratch, we have a couple of excellent suggestions that pair wonderfully with the peanut butter filling and chocolate toppings.
Our recommended Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes recipe is an ideal choice. It’s known for its ease of preparation and delivers an incredibly rich, moist, and deeply chocolatey crumb that will perfectly complement the intense flavors of peanut butter and ganache. This recipe consistently yields tender cupcakes that hold up beautifully to the generous filling and frosting. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a chocolate cupcake with a slightly different flavor profile and a buttery richness, you might consider trying our Brown Sugar Chocolate Cupcakes. The hint of brown sugar adds a subtle caramel note that deepens the chocolate flavor and creates an extra layer of complexity. Whichever scratch recipe you choose, remember that with all the decadent fillings, frosting, and toppings involved, the homemade base will only further elevate this already exceptional dessert. Rest assured, whether you opt for the convenience of a box mix or the satisfaction of baking from scratch, the end result will be a batch of undeniably delicious and much-loved Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes.
Key Components of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
Let’s take a closer look at what makes these cupcakes truly extraordinary, detailing each delightful layer:
- The Chocolate Cupcake Base: Whether from a box mix or scratch, the foundation is a deeply flavored, moist chocolate cupcake. It’s crucial for the cupcake to be sturdy enough to hold the filling and toppings, yet tender and light.
- The Creamy Peanut Butter Filling: This is the heart of the cupcake! A simple yet incredibly effective mixture of peanut butter, powdered sugar, and a touch of half & half creates a smooth, sweet, and slightly salty filling. Each cupcake is cored and filled, providing a delightful surprise in every bite that perfectly contrasts the chocolate.
- The Fluffy Chocolate Frosting: Made from scratch, this buttercream frosting is incredibly smooth and rich. It’s whipped to perfection with softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cocoa powder, with just enough half & half to achieve a light, spreadable consistency. This ample layer of frosting adds significant height and creamy texture to the cupcakes.
- The Decadent Chocolate Ganache: A simple ganache, made from semi-sweet chocolate chips, a bit of butter, and heavy cream, provides a shiny, intensely chocolatey topping. It drizzles beautifully over the frosting, creating a professional and inviting finish.
- The Signature Topping: No Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcake is complete without a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup right on top, firmly placed into the ganache. Chocolate sprinkles are then added around it, enhancing both the visual appeal and adding a slight textural crunch.
Tips for Baking and Assembling Your Cupcakes
Achieving bakery-worthy cupcakes at home is easier than you think with a few simple tips:
- Don’t Overmix: When preparing your cupcake batter, whether from a mix or scratch, mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dry cupcakes.
- Even Scooping: Use an ice cream scoop or a measuring cup to fill your muffin liners evenly. This ensures all cupcakes bake at the same rate and are uniform in size.
- Cool Completely: Before coring and filling your cupcakes, and especially before frosting them, ensure they are completely cooled. Warm cupcakes will melt your filling and frosting, leading to a messy outcome.
- Chilling the Frosting: As noted in the recipe, chilling your frosting slightly before applying the warm ganache can help the frosting set more firmly, preventing it from melting or sliding off.
- Gentle Ganache Application: When spooning or drizzling the ganache, work gently. A small spoon is perfect for creating a neat circle or drizzle in the center of the frosted cupcake.
- Presentation Matters: The mini Reese’s cup and sprinkles are not just for taste; they make these cupcakes visually stunning. Arrange them carefully for the best effect.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties and holiday gatherings to a simple weeknight indulgence. They are rich and satisfying, making them an excellent dessert centerpiece. For storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you need to store them longer, or if your frosting is very delicate, refrigerate them. Allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to ensure the frosting and cake are soft and delicious. You can also freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months; just thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and decorating.
- Peanut Butter Pie Cupcakes
- Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
- Brown Sugar Chocolate Cake Cupcakes
- Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Peanut Frosting
- Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pudding
Recipe: How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cupcakes
- 1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (or any other brand of your choice, ensuring it’s a rich chocolate flavor)
- eggs, oil, water (or brewed coffee for richer flavor) as indicated on the cake mix box for preparation
For the Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons half & half (or milk)
For the Chocolate Frosting
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
- ½ cup or less half & half (or a mix of cream and milk, adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
For the Chocolate Ganache & Topping
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 24 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
-
Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a 24-cup muffin pan with paper or foil cupcake liners. This ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
-
Bake the Cupcakes: Prepare the chocolate cupcakes according to the directions provided on the back of your chosen cake mix box. For an intensified chocolate flavor, consider using brewed coffee instead of water as indicated in the box instructions. Fill each prepared muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter. Bake for the recommended time, usually 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before proceeding.
-
Create the Peanut Butter Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, ½ cup of powdered sugar, and 3 tablespoons of half & half (or milk). Mix until smooth and creamy. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, use a small knife or a cupcake corer to cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake, removing a small cone of cake. Fill each cavity with approximately one tablespoon of the prepared peanut butter mixture. You can eat the removed cake pieces as a chef’s treat!
-
Make the Chocolate Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the 2 sticks of softened unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the 4 cups of powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and ¾ cup of cocoa powder. Begin adding the ½ cup of half & half (or milk/cream mixture) a little at a time, beating constantly until the frosting reaches a smooth, creamy, and spreadable consistency. You may not need all the liquid, or you might need a little more, depending on your desired thickness. Generously frost each filled cupcake using an offset spatula or pipe a beautiful, big dollop of frosting onto each one. At this stage, it’s highly recommended to chill the frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This will help the frosting firm up, creating a stable base for the warm ganache topping.
-
Prepare the Ganache and Final Touches: For the ganache topping, combine the 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter, and ¼ cup of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Alternatively, you can melt these ingredients together in a double boiler over simmering water. Once the ganache is smooth, spoon a little of the warm topping into the center of each frosted and chilled cupcake, creating a small circle or drizzling it artfully. While the ganache is still slightly soft, immediately put sprinkles around the edge of the ganache circle. Finally, place one mini Reese’s peanut butter cup directly in the center of each cupcake for the perfect finish.
There you have it – a recipe that promises to bring joy and deliciousness to your day. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration of classic flavors and a testament to how easy it can be to create something truly special. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe offers a delightful experience from start to finish. We encourage you to try them out and share the magic with your friends and family. Happy baking!