Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cupcakes are a delightful combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, creating a heavenly dessert that is sure to delight your taste buds. The contrast between the moist chocolate cupcakes and the smooth, nutty peanut butter cupcakes makes for a tantalizing treat that is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday celebration, a potluck gathering, or simply a sweet indulgence to enjoy with friends and family.

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a match made in dessert heaven and has been a beloved pairing for decades. Although the exact origins of this delectable duo are uncertain, it is said to have gained popularity in the 1920s when peanut butter became increasingly popular as a sandwich spread. The addition of chocolate to peanut butter in various desserts, including cupcakes, was a natural progression to create a mouthwatering treat loved by many.

The rich, velvety flavor of chocolate blends harmoniously with the nutty creaminess of peanut butter, creating a flavor profile that is both comforting and indulgent. The chocolate cupcakes provide a deep cocoa taste, while the peanut butter cupcakes offer a delightful nutty sweetness. When swirled together in frosting, these cupcakes become a delightful masterpiece that is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

INGREDIENTS

Chocolate Cupcakes:

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 stick butter, room temperature
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp melted chocolate, cooled

Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

• 1/2 cup & 1 tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla

Chocolate Buttercream:

• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 2-2.5 cups powdered sugar

Peanut Butter Buttercream:

• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 2-4 cups powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Chocolate Cupcakes:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently mix using a spoon.
3. In a larger mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, and lightly beat.
4. Mix in the sour cream and cooled melted chocolate by hand using a spatula.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding it in until no flour remains. Set aside.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together peanut butter, vegetable oil, and brown sugar using an electric mixer.
2. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat again. Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk, mixing by hand until everything is incorporated.

Baking:

1. Begin adding the batter into the cupcake liners, alternating between chocolate and peanut butter. Fill the liners almost completely full with batter.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Allow the cupcakes to cool for about 3 minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool upside down to create dome tops.

Frosting:

1. For the chocolate buttercream, beat together the butter and vegetable shortening until fluffy. Add cocoa powder and gently mix with a spatula. Gradually add powdered sugar until the desired sweetness is achieved.
2. For the peanut butter buttercream, beat together the butter and vegetable shortening until fluffy. Add peanut butter and mix using an electric mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar until the desired sweetness is achieved.

Assembly:

1. In a piping bag, add chocolate buttercream on one side and peanut butter buttercream on the other. Pipe the buttercream onto the cupcakes, starting on the outside edge and working your way into the center, creating a beautiful swirl.

Enjoy these heavenly Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cupcakes, where the rich chocolate meets the delightful nuttiness of peanut butter, creating a delightful dessert that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.