There is a rich chocolate cake, a creamy peanut butter filling, and a rich peanut butter chocolate ganache frosting on these Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Cupcakes. They are the best treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers because they are topped with mini peanut butter cups and chocolate sprinkles.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. 1 cup granulated sugar. 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. 1 tsp baking soda. 1/2 tsp salt. 1 cup buttermilk. 1/2 cup vegetable oil. 2 large eggs. 1 tsp vanilla extract. 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. 1/2 cup powdered sugar. 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened. 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. 1/4 cup heavy cream. 1/2 cup powdered sugar for frosting. 1/4 cup unsalted butter for frosting. 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for frosting. 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter for frosting. 1/4 cup heavy cream for frosting. Mini peanut butter cups for garnish. Chocolate sprinkles for garnish.
Instructions: Preheat your oven to 350F 175C and line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full with the batter. In a small bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup of peanut butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until well combined. Drop a small spoonful of the peanut butter mixture onto the center of each cupcake. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the chocolate ganache frosting. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of heavy cream. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Let it cool slightly. In a separate bowl, beat together the 1/4 cup of softened butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, and 1/4 cup of peanut butter until creamy. Gradually add the chocolate ganache to the peanut butter mixture, beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost them generously with the peanut butter chocolate ganache frosting. Garnish each cupcake with a mini peanut butter cup and a sprinkle of chocolate sprinkles. Serve and enjoy your delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Buckeye Cupcakes!