Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe

Let me tell you a little secret: my family has a borderline unhealthy obsession with peanut butter. If it were socially acceptable, I’m pretty sure they’d eat it with every meal. So, when I stumbled upon this recipe for Peanut Butter Cupcakes a few years back, I knew I had to try it. Let’s just say it was an instant hit. From birthday parties to casual weekend treats, these cupcakes have become a staple in our house. The moist, tender cupcake base, bursting with peanut butter flavor, paired with the decadent, creamy frosting – it’s a match made in dessert heaven. Even my pickiest eater, my nephew, who usually shuns anything beyond plain vanilla, devours these with gusto. Honestly, they disappear within minutes of coming out of the kitchen. If you’re looking for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, a cupcake that’s easy to make but tastes like it came from a fancy bakery, then look no further. This Peanut Butter Cupcake recipe is it. Prepare to become a baking hero!

Ingredients for Irresistible Peanut Butter Cupcakes

To create these delectable peanut butter cupcakes, you’ll need a collection of pantry staples and, of course, plenty of peanut butter! We’ll break down the ingredients into two sections: those for the moist and flavorful cupcakes themselves, and those for the luscious peanut butter frosting that crowns them.

For the Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the cupcakes. Ensure it’s measured correctly for the right texture.
• 1 ½ teaspoons Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes the cupcakes rise and become light and airy.
• ½ teaspoon Baking Soda: Another leavening agent, reacting with the acidity in the buttermilk and peanut butter to create a tender crumb.
• ¼ teaspoon Salt: Enhances the flavors of all other ingredients, especially the sweetness and peanut butter notes.
• ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened: Provides richness, moisture, and flavor. Softened butter creams smoothly with sugar, creating air for a light texture.
• ¾ cup (150g) Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, and helps with browning.
• ½ cup (100g) Packed Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, depth of flavor, and a subtle caramel note that complements the peanut butter.
• 2 Large Eggs: Bind the ingredients together, add richness, and contribute to the structure.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a touch of warmth.
• 1 cup (240ml) Buttermilk: Adds moisture, tenderness, and a slight tang that balances the sweetness. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute (see tips section).
• ¾ cup (190g) Creamy Peanut Butter: The star ingredient! Use a good quality creamy peanut butter for the best flavor and texture. Avoid natural peanut butter with oil separation unless you thoroughly mix it and ensure it’s the right consistency.

For the Dreamy Peanut Butter Frosting:

• ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened: Forms the base of the frosting, providing richness and creaminess.
• ¾ cup (90g) Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, creating a smooth and fluffy texture.
• ¾ cup (190g) Creamy Peanut Butter: Amplifies the peanut butter flavor and contributes to the frosting’s creamy texture.
• ¼ cup (60ml) Heavy Cream or Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the frosting, making it smooth and spreadable. Use heavy cream for a richer frosting, or milk for a slightly lighter version.
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Enhances the frosting’s flavor and complements the peanut butter.
• Pinch of Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor in the frosting.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Perfect Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Baking these peanut butter cupcakes is surprisingly straightforward, even for novice bakers. Follow these detailed instructions, and you’ll be enjoying freshly baked cupcakes in no time.

Part 1: Preparing the Peanut Butter Cupcake Batter

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for consistent rising and texture. Set aside the dry ingredients.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes. Creaming incorporates air into the mixture, which is essential for light and airy cupcakes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
4. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Mixing eggs in one at a time ensures they are fully incorporated and helps create a smooth batter.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Alternately: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and peanut butter until smooth and combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Start with adding about one-third of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mix until just combined. Then add half of the buttermilk mixture, mix until just combined. Repeat with another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining buttermilk mixture, and finally the last third of the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough cupcakes. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a less tender crumb.
6. Fill Cupcake Liners: Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. This allows space for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. The cupcakes should be lightly golden brown on top and spring back lightly when touched.
8. Cool Completely: Remove the muffin tin from the oven and let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling completely before frosting is essential to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.

Part 2: Whipping Up the Peanut Butter Frosting

1. Cream Butter: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Peanut Butter and Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth and combined. Then, beat in the creamy peanut butter until fully incorporated and the frosting is smooth.
3. Adjust Consistency with Liquid and Vanilla: Gradually add the heavy cream or milk, a tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. You want it to be creamy and spreadable, but still hold its shape. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
4. Frost Cooled Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them generously with the peanut butter frosting. You can use a knife, spatula, or piping bag for frosting. Get creative with your frosting swirls!
5. Optional Decorations: For extra flair, you can decorate the frosted cupcakes with mini peanut butter cups, chopped peanuts, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Nutrition Facts for Peanut Butter Cupcakes

(Please note: These are estimated values and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. This is an approximation for one cupcake with frosting.)

• Servings: 12 cupcakes (recipe yield)
• Calories per serving (approximate): 350-400 calories

Approximate Nutritional Breakdown per Cupcake:

• Fat: 20-25g
• Saturated Fat: 10-12g
• Cholesterol: 50-60mg
• Sodium: 150-200mg
• Carbohydrates: 40-45g
• Sugar: 25-30g
• Protein: 5-7g

Important Note: These cupcakes are a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The high calorie and sugar content is typical of most frosted cupcakes.

Preparation Time Breakdown for Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Planning your baking time is essential for a smooth process. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate time needed for each stage:

• Prep Time (Batter & Frosting): 25-30 minutes (This includes gathering ingredients, measuring, and making both the batter and frosting.)
• Bake Time: 18-22 minutes
• Cooling Time (Cupcakes): 30-45 minutes (Allowing cupcakes to cool completely is crucial before frosting.)
• Frosting Time: 10-15 minutes (Frosting the cooled cupcakes.)
• Total Time (Approximate): 1 hour 23 minutes – 1 hour 52 minutes

Tip: You can save time by making the frosting while the cupcakes are baking and cooling.

How to Serve Your Delicious Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Peanut butter cupcakes are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Classic Dessert: Serve them as is, freshly frosted, for a simple yet satisfying dessert after dinner, at parties, or for any special occasion.
• Pair with Milk or Coffee: Enjoy them with a cold glass of milk for a nostalgic treat, or with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a more sophisticated pairing. The richness of the cupcake complements both.
• Ice Cream Sundae Topping: Crumble a peanut butter cupcake over vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent sundae. The combination of warm cupcake and cold ice cream is divine.
• Party Platter Star: Arrange them beautifully on a platter for birthday parties, potlucks, or bake sales. They are always a crowd-pleaser and visually appealing.
• Gift Giving: Package them in decorative boxes or containers to give as homemade gifts to friends, family, or neighbors. Who wouldn’t love receiving a batch of these?
• Themed Dessert Table: Incorporate them into a dessert table with other peanut butter or chocolate-themed treats for a cohesive and irresistible spread.
• Picnic or BBQ Treat: They travel well and are perfect for outdoor gatherings like picnics, barbecues, or potlucks. Just make sure to keep them in a cool place if it’s a hot day to prevent the frosting from melting.

Additional Tips for Baking the Best Peanut Butter Cupcakes

To ensure your peanut butter cupcakes are a resounding success, consider these helpful tips:

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify properly, resulting in a smoother batter and better texture. Room temperature butter creams more effectively, and room temperature eggs and buttermilk blend more seamlessly into the batter.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make cupcakes tough and dense. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. A few streaks of flour are okay; they will disappear during baking.
• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag packs the flour, leading to too much flour in the recipe and dry cupcakes.
• Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly before using.
• Frosting Consistency Control: If your frosting is too thick, add a little more heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Here are some common questions bakers often have when making peanut butter cupcakes:

Q1: Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

A: Yes, you can, but with a few considerations. Natural peanut butter tends to be oilier and sometimes drier than processed peanut butter. Make sure to thoroughly stir the natural peanut butter to incorporate any separated oil before measuring. You might also need to adjust the liquid in the batter or frosting slightly depending on the consistency of your natural peanut butter. Processed creamy peanut butter generally yields a more consistent result in this recipe.

Q2: How should I store leftover peanut butter cupcakes?

A: Store leftover peanut butter cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. However, refrigeration can sometimes dry out cupcakes slightly. To keep them moist, store them in an airtight container and consider adding a slice of bread to the container to help retain moisture. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Q3: Can I freeze peanut butter cupcakes?

A: Yes, you can freeze unfrosted or frosted peanut butter cupcakes. To freeze unfrosted cupcakes, let them cool completely, then wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting. To freeze frosted cupcakes, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until the frosting is firm (about 1-2 hours). Then, wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. This prevents the frosting from sticking to the wrap. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Q4: Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can bake the cupcakes a day ahead of time. Let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container at room temperature until you are ready to frost them. You can also make the frosting a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let the frosting come to room temperature and beat it again briefly to restore its creamy texture before frosting the cupcakes.

Q5: Can I add chocolate chips to the cupcake batter?

A: Absolutely! Chocolate and peanut butter are a classic combination. Adding ½ to 1 cup of chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate) to the cupcake batter would be a delicious addition. Fold them in gently at the end, just before filling the cupcake liners. You could also use mini chocolate chips or chunks. This would enhance the flavor and add a delightful textural element to the cupcakes.

Enjoy baking and devouring these fantastic Peanut Butter Cupcakes! They are sure to become a beloved recipe in your kitchen, just like they have in mine.

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