Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss

What flavors go together better than chocolate and peanut butter? After tasting this cupcake, nothing! And it's all because of the frosting. The frosting is so creamy and smooth and delicious. It totally makes this cupcake! I got 24 regular cupcakes and about 8 mini cupcakes out of the batch. I topped them with Mini Reese's and alternated cupcakes with chopped Reese's and halves. I know when I have something good when my husband wants to take half the batch to work (not sure if he's sharing or just keeping them all to himself!), he did say he could demolish the entire batch! I made these for a co-workers birthday and he ate 3 before lunch! He told me I "have outdone myself" and they were by far his favorite cupcake yet!

I love taking pictures of cupcakes, there just so cute!

Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake

Source: Hershey’s Website

• 2 cups sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
  

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. For Cake:Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost. 10 to 12 servings.
4. For Cupcakes: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.
   

Peanut Butter Icing

Source: Ina Garten (Food TV)

• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions:

Place the confectioners sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.