Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

I've been busy in babyland for the last few months. Between dealing with the holidays, over swollen feet, and setting up a nursery, I haven't taken much time to post. So now that I have finished with all my 'nesting' all I have left is to just wait for this baby to come....

Although I have cooked quite a bit throughout my pregnancy, my baking has fallen to the way side due to uncontrolled water retention! I basically work to get food on the table for dinner and consider that a success.

So when I saw this recipe for homemade peanut butter cups, I just couldn't stop myself! The good news: they are easy and I could sit in a chair while making them! The result: amazing, better than store bought anything, melt in your mouth, treat.

I followed the recipe from Martha exactly; I'm running thin on brain cells these days so the less I have the think the better it is on everyone. My advice, do not skimp on the brand of chocolate. Get the best you can find. I used both toll house chips (because that is what I had left from Christmas and was trying to get them out of my pantry) and I used ghiradelli. There was a big difference in taste. Toll house is just too 'waxy' for me. I used a bittersweet chocolate but you can use milk chocolate or any combination that you prefer.

I will tell you--this recipe makes WAY more than it says. I would say I made nearly 80 cups with the peanut butter mixture. I just needed to melt a bit more chocolate to even it out. I used small candy cups I found at a baking shop.

I took these over to my father in laws house for his birthday, and then the other half I made for my house!

If you are looking for something fun to make for Valentine's Day, these are utterly amazing!

Click here for the recipe!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

I let my pregnancy cravings get the best of me one afternoon and decided it was a good idea to make not only one kind of cupcake...but two (see my anniversary cupcake).

As luck would have it, I had to go to a gym opening that evening, and I told my trainer I would bring a dessert. (I know...who brings a dessert to a gym opening besides me?) But regardless, he was grateful. Plus, maybe he 'gained' a few clients ;)

My thoughts were that I would just make mini cupcakes. That way, people are more apt to pick them up and eat them because they are small. I think the problem was that many people ate five minis which add up to about one full cupcake but whose counting anyways? Not me!

I think I have had chocolate peanut butter cupcakes on the brain for months, but have not taken the plunge to make them until now. To add decadence to the pot, I added mini peanut butter cups to the batter of each mini cupcake. I had a weak moment in the check out isle at Trader Joe. Why do I feel like I have a lot of these so called 'weak moments' lately? Why can't I crave things like vegetables or something? Anyway...

So the cupcakes are my go to cupcake--deep, rich, chocolately, and crumble in your mouth moist. I have never found another chocolate cake recipe to live up to this one. (And I have made my fair share). Just before I pop the cupcakes in the oven, I throw in the mini peanut butter cup to the top of each one. Mine sank to the bottom--even adding the candy to the top. I think you could remedy this in two ways. One: toss the pb cups in flour then add them. OR Two: toss the pb cups in half way. Honestly, its up to you. I'm not sure if either would work, and I cannot be bothered to open my oven and hang my head in to add morsels in while my face burns. If anyone has a good suggestion--feel free to share ;)

The frosting is a fluffy peanut butter and I must say the perfect compliment to this chocolate cake. Its derived from Martha Stewart and forgive me as I am posting the alteration from memory. Sometimes...not always a great thing. The good news is, you can play with this frosting to your taste. I happened to want something 'less peanut butter' and more frosting with a side of peanut butter.

Enjoy! I know I did!

For the cupcake recipe, click here.

-Alterations: none except adding a mini peanut butter cup to the top of the unbaked cupcake. I also cut the recipe in half which still made almost 40 minis!

For the peanut butter frosting recipe, click here.

-Alterations: I cut the peanut butter down, added more cream cheese, and more confectioners sugar. Don't forget to top the cake with another peanut butter cup!