Peanut Butter Cup(cakes)

VERY rich cupcakes, but VERY good! This is the perfect chocolate & peanut butter treat!


Peanut Butter Cup Cake
by Parents.com

1 devil’s food cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (plus more for garnishing - about 2 bags)

Frosting (half frosting recipe for cupcakes)

8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. Scrape down sides after 1 minute. Fold in 2 cups of the chopped peanut butter cups. Pour batter into pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cakes completely. Place chopped dark chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring cream just to a boil and then pour over chocolate. Whisk until chocolate melts. Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth.

For a 9-inch (two layer) cake:

Coat two 9-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray. Line with wax paper and coat paper. Pour batter into pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cakes completely.Trim each cake layer so the tops are flat. Place one layer on a cooling rack and pour 1 cup frosting on top. Spread evenly with a spatula. Add second layer and pour remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Smooth out with spatula. Allow frosting to set for a minute and gently press remaining chopped peanut butter cup pieces all over top and sides of cake. Place in refrigerator for about an hour to set. Remove and serve.

For cupcakes

Pour batter into a lined cupcake pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cupcakes completely. Dip cupcakes one at a time into frosting. Allow frosting to set for a minute and gently press remaining chopped peanut butter cup pieces all over top of cupcakes.