Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I didn't like peanut butter until a few months ago.... I don't know what I was thinking! Lately I have been into putting peanut butter on fruit, even vegetables! (celery, carrots) So naturally, I thought it was time to try peanut butter with chocolate. I'm pretty happy with the result.

For the chocolate cupcakes you will need:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup canola/vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup sour cream/Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

First, sift or whisk any big clumps in your mix. This helps insure a smooth, clump-free batter. Then, add the other ingredients and mix until well incorporated.

If you don't have buttermilk on hand, just add a teaspoon of lemon juice and fill the rest up with milk.

Bake the cupcakes at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
(makes 20-24 cupcakes)

For the ganache, you will need:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup peanut butter

First, place the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a bowl and set aside. Heat the whipping cream in a microwave for about 2 minutes, or until it starts to get bubbly.  Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and peanut butter and stir until it looks like this:

Take your cooled cupcakes and spoon some ganache on top. Take the bottom of the spoon and smooth it out.

Now... the frosting. This frosting is like creamy peanut butter clouds. It's sooo good.

You will need:

• 2 sticks butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 5-6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon milk (more if needed)

Cream together the butter/margarine and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well incorporated. 

Pipe or spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes when the ganache is cooled. 

For the toppers, take a square pretzel and spread some peanut butter on top. Take another pretzel and put it on top. Then, dip it it ganache.  

If you make these cupcakes, I would love to see! Post them on instagram using the hashtag #petitebakeress

Happy Baking!

Ashley

S'mores Brownies

These s'mores brownies are crazy good and perfect for summer. They have a graham cracker crust, a thick brownie and a layer of creamy ganache with graham cracker crumbs and a roasted marshmallow on top. Is your mouth watering yet?

Ingredients:

• brownie mix and the ingredients listed on the back of the box
• 6 graham cracker sheets
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup chocolate chips (any kind. I used semi-sweet)
• 1 bag marshmallows

Start out by mixing up your brownies according to the box

Then smash your graham crackers and melt the butter

And stir it together with a fork to create a crust-like mixture. Fill up a cupcake pan with liners and spray them so the brownies don't stick. Take a heaping teaspoon of the crust and pat it down inside the cupcake liners. Then fill the liners 3/4 full with the brownie batter. I like to use a cupcake scoop to make sure the liners are evenly filled. Bake the brownies according to the instructions on the box. 

While the brownies are baking, let's make the ganache. It's only 2 ingredients! All you need is heavy whipping cream and chocolate chips. First, measure out your chocolate chips in a bowl and set it aside. Then, measure 1 cup of whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it until it starts to get bubbly, about 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the cream from the microwave and pour it over the chocolate chips and stir away. Keep on stirring until it forms a creamy chocolate sauce. Once your brownies are done, take them out of the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes.

Take your spatula and pour some ganache on top of your cupcakes. Smooth it out so it creates an even layer on your cupcake. Let them dry for a few minutes. 

After the ganache is cooled but still a little tacky to the touch, take some graham cracker crumbs and sprinkle them on top. Now, it's time to add the marshmallows. Cut a marshmallow in half and put it on your cupcake. Then, take a lighter and carefully roast your marshmallow. If it lights on fire, just quickly blow it out!

You're all done! Stand back and admire your beautiful brownies... Then eat one. Or three.

If you make these brownies, I would love to see! Post them on instagram using the hashtag #petitebakeress

Happy Baking!

Ashley