May 25, 2009

Uh-oh......

I know I've been talking about dieting for swimsuit season, but my daughter turned 19 this past week, and she requested these horrible (actually quite delicious), terrible smelling (they smell like heaven), Peanut Butter Cup Cakes for our family get together. And then I got to thinking, "What if someone doesn't like chocolate cupcakes?" So, I made yellow cupcakes with strawberry frosting as well. Real strawberry frosting. Interested? Okay, I'll share...

The peanut butter cup cakes were actually based on a cake/cupcake recipe from Bakerella (find her on google). She is an extremely creative baker; check out her "cake pops".

Peanut Butter Cup Cakes w/Chocolate Frosting
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1 box chocolate cake mix
2 teaspoons Godiva liqueur (optional)
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup melted semi sweet chocolate
2 cups chocolate frosting (see below)
10 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (unwrapped/diced into small cubes)

Make the cake batter according to box directions (eggs. oil, etc.). To this batter, add the liqueur, peanut butter and melted chocolate, mix well.

Pour batter into muffin tins with cupcake liners, filling 2/3 full. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1-3 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup melted semi sweet chocolate

Bring butter to room temperature; beat until fluffy. Add cocoa powder and vanilla, blend together, then add melted chocolate, whip until blended. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Alternate sugar with milk, continue beating until spreading consistency.

Frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting, then arrange diced peanut butter cups on top. (If you want, fill a pastry bag or ziploc bag with frosting. Using a large decorator tip, pipe frosting onto cupcakes). Makes 24.

Ready for more?.......


For these cupcakes, I pretty much used a box mix and just added additional flavorings. The frosting is a recipe from a cupcake bakery called "Sprinkles" (found on the Martha Stewart website). The locations are mostly based on the west coast, but rumor has it they're coming east. I would love to visit a Sprinkles bakery!

Yellow Cupcakes w/Strawberry Frosting
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1 box yellow cake mix
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Make cake mix according to box instructions. To the batter, add the dry instant pudding and vanilla. Beat well. Pour into muffin tins with cupcake liners, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes; remove from pans, and allow to cool completely.

"Sprinkles" Strawberry Frosting

1/2 cup crushed, fresh strawberries
1 stick unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of coarse sea salt
3 and 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Wash the strawberries, hull and mash. Beat softened, unsalted butter until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and sea salt, beat well.

Slowly add a small amount of the crushed berries, alternating with the addition of confectioners sugar. Keep adding crushed berries and sugar; beating until frosting is dense, creamy and easy to spread. More sugar may be added if needed. Add another pinch of sea salt if frosting tastes too sweet. Frost cupcakes and keep chilled. Decorate as desired, makes 24.

I hope everyone had a restful, long weekend. My "to-do" list is still tacked to the fridge and the sorted laundry in the basement has only dwindled a little bit, but I enjoyed the sunshine, ate some great food, and loved taking time to just relax. I hope you can also find time to refresh your soul and take time for yourself! The "projects" will always be there...(really, they will!)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I had the pleasure of tasting the chocolate cupcake yesterday and it was decadent ---the peanut butter cup (my favorite) was a topping was the best ---

Teresa Cordero Cordell said...

Thank you for coming by my blog. Your cupcakes are excellent. I too enjoy visiting bakerella for inspiration. You asked about tortillas. The brand I use is called Mission. Here is a link to their site. MissionI don't know if they have them in NY but you can check and see their distributors list. I enjoy visiting your site.