Reese's Pieces Cupcakes

By cecelia26_

Ingredients

• Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp warm water
• 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp instant espressor granules
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 1 1/8 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Reese's Pieces
• Peanut Butter Frosting
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

Details

Servings 18
Adapted from pbandgraham.com

Preparation

Step 1

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffins tins with paper liners.
2.In a small bowl, combine vanilla extract, warm water, cocoa powder, and instant espresso granules. Whisk until well combined and set aside.
3.Microwave butter until melted. Pour butter into stand mixer, add sugar, and mix on medium until cooled, about 4-5 minutes. Once cooled, add eggs one at a time, mix until incorporated. Add cocoa powder mixture. Reduce speed to low and add flour, alternating with the buttermilk, until just combined.
4.Fill each liner 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer to wire racks to cool for 15 minutes; turn out cupcakes on racks and cool completely.


Peanut Butter Frosting
1.In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine confectioners sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt. Mix on medium-low until creamy. Add the cream and beat on high until the mixture is light and smooth.
2.Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and garnish with reese's pieces.