Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Toffee Peanuts

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Toffee Peanuts
by Sarah Kwan of The Garden of Earthly Delights

Chocolate Cupcakes:
3/4 cup cake flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
12 mini peanut butter cups (plus more for decorating cupcakes)

Line a 12-piece muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Sift together cake flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together egg, vegetable oil, and milk.

Add dry ingredients to egg mixture, whisking lightly until combined.

Divide the cupcake batter evenly into the muffin tin.

Add a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cupcake.

Bake for 18 minutes, then let cool thoroughly before icing.

Peanut Butter Icing:
4 large egg whites, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup water
1 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

Whip the egg whites in a large bowl on low speed until foamy, with even small bubbles.

Add the cream of tartar and continue whipping, until the egg whites form glossy peaks.

In a pot, heat sugar, salt, and water over medium-high heat, until it reaches 238°F.

Pour the sugar syrup into the egg whites in a slow steady stream while mixing on high. Continue to mix until the bowl is cool to the touch (approximately 5 minutes).

Add the butter in small chunks, beating continuously.

Add the peanut butter and continue whipping. If the mixture turns lumpy, not to worry - keep beating until it pulls together again and becomes smooth.

To assemble:
1/2 cup butter toffee peanuts
12 mini peanut butter cups

Spoon the icing into a pastry bag fitted with a large tip and frost fully cooled cupcakes.

Lightly chop 1/2 cup of butter toffee peanuts in a food processor, and sprinkle over each cupcake..

Top each cupcake with a halved mini peanut butter cup.

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