Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I’m not the biggest fan of cupcakes.  Yes, hard to believe but its true.  Most cupcakes are too sweet for my taste and covered with a ridiculous amount of frosting.  I could almost say I hated cupcakes until I came across a great recipe in Carole Bloom’s cookbook Bite-Sized Desserts.

Its a perfect treat for adults and children. You can could even swap in milk chocolate ganache for children its dark chocolate is too bitter.  These cupcakes look classy and sophisticated.  They’re a hundred times better than those from supermarket and take less time to make than driving to a trendy cupcake shop and waiting in line.  Plus, they’re so easy to make.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Ganache

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Yield: makes 10 cupcakes

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, soften

1/3 cup peanut butter (I used Peanut Butter & Co.’s White Chocolate Wonderful)

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 extra large egg, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla paste

1/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

Dark Chocolate Ganache:

6 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped

3 ounces heavy cream

Directions:

Peanut Butter Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl.  Set aside.

3. Cream the butter using an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add the peanut butter and continue to blend until smooth.  Add all the brown sugar and beat until creamy.

4. Lightly beat the egg with the vanilla in small bowl.  Slowly add this to the peanut butter mixture, stopping to scrape down the bowl to ensure ensure mixing.  Make sure the egg is room temperature as not not curdle or break the peanut butter mixture.

5.  Combine the whole milk and heavy cream (half and half blend).

6. Add the flour mixture in three batches to the peanut mixture.  Alternate with the half and half blend and mix well after each addition.

7.  Use a large ice cream scoop to evenly divide the batter among the lined cupcake pan.

8.  Bake for 20 minutes, until light golden.  Be sure to test the center with a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.  Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool on rack before frosting.

Dark Chocolate Ganache:

1. Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl.

2. Bring the cream to a boil and pour over chocolate.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let side for about a minute.

3. Using a heat-resistance spatula stir the mixture until smooth.  Begin in one spot, stirring in a small circle, then gradually increasing size of circle. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, letting the plastic rest directly on top of ganache to prevent skin formation.  Let the ganache sit for about 20-30 minutes.

4.  Take off the plastic wrap and stir up the ganache. It should have thickened to a pipeable consistancy.  Fill a piping bag with a large star tip and pipe on cooled cupcake.

adapted from Bite-Sized Desserts