CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER ICING
Time for something Sweet! Chocolate cupcakes are one of my weaknesses. This recipe works very well to satisfy a craving for a chocolate/peanut butter combo. While I was making these it dawned on me that I really prefer baking over cooking dinner. Dinner is a necessity but desserts are so much more fun to create! I’m not real crafty but my artsy side comes out when I bake and it makes me feel more well rounded. The recipe for the chocolate cupcakes has several steps but hang in there it is so worth it. This recipe makes 24 cupcakes which is why the measurements seem odd.
Ingredients
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Hot Water
2 1/4 cups Flour
3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
17 tablespoons Butter
1 2/3 cups Sugar
3 Eggs (room temperature)
1 tablespoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Sour Cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line muffin pan with paper liners
In your glass liquid measuring cup combine the hot water and cocoa powder whisk until smooth
In a medium size bowl mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt
Melt the butter in a medium size saucepan and add the sugar. Stirring occasionally until the butter is melted.
Pour the butter mixture into the mixer and mix on low speed for several minutes until it is cool.
Add the eggs one at a time
Add the vanilla
Add the cocoa mixture
While the mixture is on low speed add 1/3 of the flour, then a small portion of the sour cream, then more flour, the last of the sour cream. Ending with the last of the flour. Begin with the dry ingredients and end with the dry ingredients.
Fill the paper liners 1/2 full
Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean about 15 minutes
Cool cupcakes on a cooling rack
PEANUT BUTTER ICING
Ingredients
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Beat the butter and peanut butter together until light and fluffy
Add the confectioners’ sugar
Add the vanilla
Mix until combined
Add the cream and mix until creamy
Enjoy