There are some people who are in your life that just make your days a little bit better. I’m talking about the people you see for maybe just one minute a day: a person at a coffee shop, someone you pass in the hall, or in my case, one of the guys who works at my SEPTA station. I always look forward to a smile and a wave from him. So I was pretty bummed when he told me he was moving to another station. Sigh.
I wanted to find a way to thank him for making my day a little bit better, and I honestly don’t know any other way to thank someone besides with food (this is something I may need to work on…) So I decided to make him cupcakes! And who doesn’t like chocolate peanut butter cupcakes?
I found this recipe on Food Network and thought it was perfect. It even incorporated coffee into the recipe (one of my favorite tricks) to heighten the chocolately flavor. I decided to try to make my own peanut butter icing though, to make it more my own.
Ingredients:
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 tablespoons brewed coffee
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 tablespoons brewed coffee
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Icing:
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 package (8 oz) low fat cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup (or 1/2 a container) of smooth peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the butter, granulated and brown sugars to a large bowl and beat on high for 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla, mixing well each time.
In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee.
In a third bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda.
Add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately to the large bowl, mixing with a hand mixer in between the addition of each mixture, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. (I poured half of the buttermilk mixture in, beat the mixture on medium, adding half the flour mixture, and beating on medium. I then repeated this until just combined).
Add the mixture to a cupcake pan lined with paper liners. The recipe randomly made 18 cupcakes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans.
To make the icing, combine all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl using a hand mixer.
Add the frosting to the cupcakes once completely cooled.
If desired, top with crushed peanuts.
Was there even a chance that these would be so-so?
Peanut butter and chocolate are two of the most fantastic, decadent paired ingredients.
I hope he likes them!
Those look very good.
Nothing better than chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing. Frankly anything chocolate with peanut butter makes me smile.
I am SO making these, soon! When I lived in Ardmore there was this elderly guy that made the sandwiches and coffee in the morning. I went so much he knew I loved the turkey sausage sandwich and would ask if I was able to get one each time he saw me. If not, he’d make one right away for me. I loved it. I miss going there! I hope the SEPTA guy loves the cupcakes!
I’m not a big chocolate fan, but it does get a bump in flavor value once a bit of coffee is added. The addition of your peanut butter frosting is a winner. I’m sure he would love them, but I’m sorry you’re losing your morning smile!
Even if he doesn’t like the flavor of the cupcakes it is the gesture that will speak volumes. But really who doesn’t chocolate and peanut butter?
Oh I just love these!Just saw Ina Garten make them yesterday on FN and yours look super delicious!Droolworthy 🙂
I am sure those are addicting!! PB and Chocolate is dannngerous!
That was so sweet of you! I’m sure he loved these delicious looking cupcakes! I mean who doesn’t love chocolate & pb, yummmm!
A smile and a wave can do so much. This is such a thoughtful gift. I always use food.
Mmm, these look so perfect 🙂 Wonderfully seductive!
Oh yum! These cupcakes sound absolutely delicious! And really, food is the best way to say thank you!
These look great! I showed my step-daughter and she asked me to make them for her! I think I will. Thank you for linking up to my Peanut Butter party.