Ok, so the title may be a bit dramatic but, seriously, these babies are just delectable. A treat for the eye and tastebuds. I think for me, personally, the ultimate flavor combination is a good, quality chocolate with peanut butter...classic...simple, yet dramatic...satisfying.
My best friend from middle school turned 30 last month and I made these cupcakes for her. Let me tell you a little bit about this girl. We met in the 7th grade and pretty much clicked right away. She's sweet, funny, and just fun to be around. We share the same faith, likes and dislikes, love for sushi and salt & vinegar chips and I love her family and she loves mine! We've been in and out of each other's lives over the last 18 years, had our share of ups and downs, fought with each other, laughed with each other, cried with each other, and lost touch. But through it all, she is still one of the very few people who know me inside and out, accept me for who I really am, and love me in spite of it. I'm so thankful that she moved within 40 minutes of me last year and that I was able to be in her wedding just over a year ago. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that whatever comes, I'll always be able to count on her! Thanks, Danielle! LYLAS!! :)
Danielle and I on the weekend of her wedding :) |
Now back to the cupcakes....
Sorry, I know you want the recipes and how-to's but I just love looking at them! :)
Dark Chocolate Cake:
2 cups AP flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup dark cocoa powder (recipe calls for dutch process)
2 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plain greek yogurt (recipe calls for sour cream)
1 1/2 cups water
2 T distilled white vinegar
1 t vanilla extract
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tins with liners. Sift the dry ingredients together into a large bowl and whisk to combine them well. Add the oil and yogurt (or sour cream) and whisk to blend. Gradually beat in the water. Blend in the vinegar and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs and beat until well blended. Divide among cupcake liners. Bake until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes before removing cupcakes from pan.
For the icing, I had some left over Cream Cheese Icing that I added peanut butter to until Danielle said it was enough. :) Yes, she was there with me when I made them and since they were for her...well, she was the boss.
For the chocolate-peanut butter drizzle, I just melted semi-sweet chips with peanut butter in the microwave. Sorry, I don't have amounts for you but it's really just up to you and your taste preference. Of course, the toppers were Reese's peanut butter cups, piped with more icing on top to make them look like mini cupcakes. I couldn't help it....I just love cupcakes! :)
Make these cupcakes! They are so delicious and will turn a rainy afternoon into a delight!! Until next time, happy reading and, more importantly, happy cupcake-ing!
I love dark chocolate and these look divine! Thanks so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThese look so good!
ReplyDeleteOne for me please!!!! They look great and I would take a box of that over anything else ... well maybe not... but I would really appreciate it!!
ReplyDeleteYour friend was lucky.
Jillian
http://puzzlemecomplete.blogspot.com/
Over here from Flour Me With Love - this looks amazing and some of my favorite flavors - chocolate and PB!
ReplyDeleteThese look so good! And I love that you iced the PB cup too! What a great idea! I'd love it if you'd stop by Sweet & Simple Sunday and link up!! Have a great day!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cupsbykim.blogspot.com/2012/06/sweet-simple-sunday-eleven.html
Kim
OH MY ABSOLUTE DELICIOUSNESS! I wish I would have seen these earlier! I would have made them for Father's Day. I just pinned it to pinterest! Thanks for linking up to the Monday Meet up! I am your newest follower. Hope you will stop by http://www.garagesalesrus.blogspot.com/ and follow back.
ReplyDeleteRobin
Yum, you are making me want to become a baker. :)
ReplyDeleteMMMmmm pass one over....no make that 3! They look soooo delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love looking at them too. Mmmmmm. These look especially pretty, artistic. Thanks for sharing, Heather.
ReplyDeleteThose look so delicious! I'm definitely going to try this!
ReplyDeleteNew follower from the Blog Hop
-Buffi
My Wonderfully Dysfunctional Blog
Super delicious looking
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have a special touch, Your cupcakes always look super beautiful
Thanks, Winnie!!
DeleteNew follower throught the mingle, so hoppy I found you! These cupcakes look wonderful :) My boys love peanut butter and chocolate...your PB Chocolate Cupcakes would put a HUGE smile on their faces (and in their tummies).
ReplyDeleteThanks...glad to have you here! :)
DeleteOh my those look delicious! I will have to try a batch soon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they sound delish--I love the dripping chocolate!
ReplyDeleteNicely done and what a lovely tale of friendship! Thanks for linking up again :-)
ReplyDeletethey sound great, almost as great as your friend:)
ReplyDeleteThey look unbelievable! The frosting with the pb cup looks just so very good.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I want one now!!!
ReplyDeleteThose look absolutely decadent! My mouth is watering (as usual). Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!
ReplyDeleteJill @ Create.Craft.Love.
I met my BFF in the 5th grade and we're still friends. I can appreciate a good, long-term friendship. Oh, and these cupcakes look ridiculously delish.
ReplyDeleteSeriously amazing, oh.my.gosh. My husband would freak! Thanks for sharing and I am a new follower!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have had a great weekend!
Michelle
www.delicateconstruction.com
Bonkers! These look good. I'd just love to have you link up at Thursday Food Fest at http://www.theeaseoffreeze.com. Hope to see you and have a good week. Sarah
ReplyDeleteOh my word! PB and Chocolate together are my fave! Thanks so much for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday :)
ReplyDeleteLYLAS too chica!!! ALWAYS :-D
ReplyDeleteThese were SOOOOOO Amazingly delicious...I want more :-D
Yay! You finally read it!!
DeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful and sinful looking! I can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday last week. I can't wait to see what you link up this week. Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
These cupcakes look delicious! Love the peanut butter cups on them! We are so glad that you linked up to our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday". Please come back again really soon! Thanks! -The Sisters
ReplyDeleteI featured your cupcakes today at my linky party! They look sooo good! I love it!! Stop by and link something up again!
ReplyDeleteKim@madeinaday