Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Swirled Frosting
Prep Time15mins
Cook Time20mins
Total Time35mins
Course: Dessert
Servings: 18cupcakes
Author: Melanie Kathryn - Gather for Bread
Ingredients
CUPCAKES
1/2cupunsalted buttersoftened
1 1/2cupssugar
2eggs
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1 1/2cupsall-purpose flour
1/2cupHershey's special Dark baking cocoa
1teaspoonbaking soda
1/4teaspoonsalt
1cupbuttermilk
DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1and 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4cupunsweetened Hershey's Dark chocolate cocoa powder
1/2cupunsalted buttersoftened to room temperature
2Tablespoonsheavy cream or half-and-half*
1teaspoonvanilla extract
PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
3/4cupcreamy peanut butter
4Tablespoonsunsalted buttersoftened to room temperature
3/4cupconfectioners' sugar
1teaspoonvanilla extract
3Tablespoonsheavy cream or half-and-half
Instructions
CUPCAKES:
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
Scoop batter into paper lined muffin cups. Fill two-thirds full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for about 10 minutes before removing to wire racks. Cool completely.
DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
Sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder, making sure there are no lumps. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sifted sugar/cocoa powder blend alternately to butter with the heavy cream and vanilla. Mix on low speed after each addition. Once combined, beat on high speed until creamy, at least 2 minutes.
PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING:
Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the peanut butter and butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Mix in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Mix until combined. Add heavy cream and mix on high until smooth and creamy, at least 2 minutes.
Prepare a large piping bag with a large star tip or use a large ziptop bag. Spoon peanut butter frosting carefully down one side of the bag. Carefully spoon the dark chocolate frosting down the opposite side. Squeeze down gently to get started. Pipe twists of frosting on top of each cupcake.
Notes
If you don't have unsalted butter on hand salted butter will work. If you don't have buttermilk, make your own. Measure 1 tablespoon vinegar into a 1 cup measuring cup. Fill with milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until curdled.