Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting!

Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Happy Mouth Feel

Another delicious home run from Ina Garten!  All credit goes to her on these!

Here goes:
(for the cupcakes)
1 & 1/2 sticks unsalted butter @ room temp
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 extra large eggs @ room temp
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup milk (buttermilk is best) @ room temp
1/2 cup sour cream @ room temp
2 tbsp espresso shot
1 & 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 & 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt

I know it looks like a lot - but it's easy!  Preheat oven to 350!

Cream the butter and two sugars for about 4-5 min until fully mixed.

UUuuuuhhh  butter and two sugars... just get me a spoon right now - says the fat boy in me.  Add one egg at a time and the vanilla - beat another minute or two.

In another bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  If you have a sifter - use it!

In a third bowl, mix together your wet ingredients:  the buttermilk, sour cream and espresso.  (I just realized how gross that looks... sorry)

OK!  Add a third of the dry mix to the butter/sugar and mix together.  Then add a third of the wet and mix.  Alternate the dry and wet in thirds till fully mixed together.  Divide the batter into a cupcake pan with paper liners.  I fill each cup about 3/4 full.  Bake for 20 minutes - stick a toothpick in and if it comes out clean, they are done!

Tazzy can't hardly WAIT!

Let them come to room temperature before frosting!

Speaking of FROSTING....

What you need:

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup creamy peanut butter

5 tbsp unsalted butter @ room temp

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/3 cup heavy cream

Use a hand mixer to whip the butter, sugar and peanut butter, vanilla and salt together.  

Add the cream and beat on medium and then high - you want it to be light and smooth looking.

UUUUUuuuhhhhhhmmmmm  Get me a second spoon just for this!  

Healthy Version of this Recipe!!!! Check it out

Click the link above to watch a great video on how to make a healthier version of these.  I'm totally going to try that and compare sometime!  The guy in the video also has a ton of great, healthy versions of Food Network recipes!  What a great idea!

Frost each cupcake and top with some chopped peanuts!  

YUM!!!  So good - I would make sure you take these out right at 20 minutes.  Mine came out a tiny bit on the dry side - so don't over bake!