Monday, June 18, 2012

PB Chocolate Cupcakes: Treats for Your Soul

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!



30 comments:

  1. I love dark chocolate and these look divine! Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  2. These look so good!

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  3. One 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!!
    Your friend was lucky.
    Jillian

    http://puzzlemecomplete.blogspot.com/

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  4. Over here from Flour Me With Love - this looks amazing and some of my favorite flavors - chocolate and PB!

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  5. These 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!!
    http://www.cupsbykim.blogspot.com/2012/06/sweet-simple-sunday-eleven.html

    Kim

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  6. 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.

    Robin

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  7. Yum, you are making me want to become a baker. :)

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  8. MMMmmm pass one over....no make that 3! They look soooo delicious.

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  9. I love looking at them too. Mmmmmm. These look especially pretty, artistic. Thanks for sharing, Heather.

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  10. Those look so delicious! I'm definitely going to try this!
    New follower from the Blog Hop
    -Buffi
    My Wonderfully Dysfunctional Blog

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  11. Super delicious looking
    You certainly have a special touch, Your cupcakes always look super beautiful

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  12. New 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).

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  13. Oh my those look delicious! I will have to try a batch soon.

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  14. Yeah, they sound delish--I love the dripping chocolate!

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  15. Nicely done and what a lovely tale of friendship! Thanks for linking up again :-)

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  16. they sound great, almost as great as your friend:)

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  17. They look unbelievable! The frosting with the pb cup looks just so very good.

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  18. Those look absolutely decadent! My mouth is watering (as usual). Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning to our Pomp Party board!

    Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.

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  19. 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.

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  20. Seriously amazing, oh.my.gosh. My husband would freak! Thanks for sharing and I am a new follower!!
    Hope you have had a great weekend!
    Michelle
    www.delicateconstruction.com

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  21. 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

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  22. Oh my word! PB and Chocolate together are my fave! Thanks so much for sharing at Toot Your Horn Tuesday :)

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  23. LYLAS too chica!!! ALWAYS :-D
    These were SOOOOOO Amazingly delicious...I want more :-D

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  24. Heather,
    These 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

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  25. 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

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  26. I featured your cupcakes today at my linky party! They look sooo good! I love it!! Stop by and link something up again!
    Kim@madeinaday

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Hey friends! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Reading them makes me happy! If you're a no-reply comment-er, please change this on your blogger. I make every effort to respond but sometimes can't get over here to post a reply. It's easier for me to hit reply on my email and immediately let you know that I appreciate your support and encouragement. Thanks much!

Blessings,
Heather

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