Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes Recipe – An Easy Cake Mix Recipe

If you love the taste of peanut butter and chocolate and you are also a dessert lover, you are going to fall in love with these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes. Not only do you get the pleasure of enjoying a delicious chocolate cupcake, but there is also a hidden surprise in each one.

A full size chocolate peanut butter cup is nestled inside the center of the cupcake. Then the cupcakes are taken to the next level with a delicious peanut butter frosting on top.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the frosting is sprinkled with chopped chocolate peanut butter cups. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it?

As good as these look you would think that they are difficult to make. However, this dessert recipe couldn’t be easier!

With the help of store bought chocolate cake mix and vanilla icing, this recipe is a breeze to prepare. Although they are so delicious that as soon as someone takes a bite into one they always think that it came from a bakery.

It is one of my favorite desserts to take to any family gathering or potluck. And it is always the first dessert my Mom asks me to make on Mother’s day.

The only downfall is that there are never any leftovers to take home. However, I have now learned to make a double batch and keep a few extras at home!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pairing

When it comes to desserts there is nothing more classic than the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Both the taste and texture are considered one of the most irresistible combinations that have been around for decades.

When eaten together it creates both a unique flavor and texture that many people love. The chocolate has a rich, smooth, and slightly bitter taste that is complemented by the salty, nutty flavor of peanut butter.

And the creamy texture of the peanut butter also provides a pleasant contrast to the smoothness of chocolate. Although both aren’t technically considered healthy foods, just like when I make Carrot Cake I can always find a way to look at the positive side of the nutritional value.

For starters chocolate contains compounds called flavonoids, which are known to have a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And peanuts are also rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber, which may contribute to the pleasure of eating them.

Overall, the combination of chocolate and peanut butter may simply be a matter of personal preference, but the unique taste and nutritional benefits of each component make them a popular and delicious pairing for many people.

Combine the two ingredients together and its a win-win situation. At least it is when it comes to making a dessert that everyone will love!

Easy To Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Recipe

As mentioned above, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes are simple and easy to make. That is because we are using two important pre-made ingredients.

1. Chocolate Cake Mix – By using a store-bought cake mix you will save yourself some time and effort when making these cupcakes. Although there are a lot of different varieties of cake mix to choose from, it is important to avoid the chocolate fudge cake mix boxes.

The chocolate fudge mixes are designed to be much more moist than standard cake batter mixes. Therefore, be sure to choose a cake mix that doesn’t include the word ‘fudge’.

However you can choose whatever flavor of chocolate cake mix that you prefer. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, triple chocolate, or even devil’s food cake will work in this recipe.

Because there are so many choices, the added ingredients that are listed on the back of the box will vary. Therefore, be sure to take a look at your individual box and pick up those ingredients as well.

2. Vanilla Frosting – The store bought vanilla frosting that you find in the baking aisle is the base to the topping. Then we will add creamy peanut butter to the frosting to make it a mild tasting peanut butter frosting.

However, because store bought frosting is rather thick, you may need to add milk or water to make it thinner. This is especially important if you would like to pipe the frosting on top of the cupcakes.

Homemade Chocolate Cake Batter (optional)

Although most of us will opt to use a store bought cake mix to make these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes, you can certainly make a homemade chocolate cake batter instead. Therefore, I included my favorite recipe homemade chocolate cake batter.

Ingredients For Homemade Chocolate Cake Batter:

• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 cup water

Instructions to Make Homemade Chocolate Cake Batter:

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Then add the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and white vinegar to the dry ingredients, and stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Slowly pour in the water while continuing to stir the batter until it becomes smooth and free of lumps. Then pour the batter into the muffin tins as instructed below.

Reese Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients on back of package to make the batter)
• 18 standard chocolate peanut butter cups
• 1 cup vanilla frosting
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12 cup muffin tin with cupcake paper liners.

In a large bowl, prepare the cake batter per instructions on the package (with the ingredients listed on the package).

Fill each muffin cup half full with the batter.

Place an unwrapped standard size peanut butter cup in each. It is best to set it on top of the batter so that it does not sink. Cover each peanut butter cup with the remaining batter, filling until each cup is 3/4 of the way full.

Place the Reese’s peanut butter cup cupcakes in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center (above the peanut butter cup) comes out moistly clean. Then remove the cupcakes from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.

In a medium size mixing bowl add the vanilla frosting and peanut butter. Stir until smooth. Frost the cupcakes, mounding the frosting on top. *If you would like to pipe the frosting, you will need to thin it out a little with milk or water.

Chop the remaining peanut butter cups into small pieces. Then top the cupcakes with the chopped chocolate peanut butter cups.

Store in a closed container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Enjoy! Mary

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