Last week was Jason's birthday. I wanted to make cupcakes so they could easily be shared, and who doesn't love the classic pairing of chocolate and peanut butter? I adapted my brownie recipe into one that is more cake like, but with the chewy dense brownie characteristic. I like that in a cupcake.
You know what else I like in a cupcake? A surprise middle.
peanut butter chocolate cupcakes
makes 12 cupcakes
½ cup agave
1 can pumpkin (15oz)
2 eggs (Ener-G egg replacer)
3 teaspoons vanilla
¾ cup brown rice flour
½ cup ap flour (gluten free)
¾ cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
peanut butter for cupcake filling
Combine agave and pumpkin – add egg and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder, add to sugar mixture. Fill muffin cups half way, place ½ tablespoon peanut butter in center, fill muffins with remaining batter.
Bake @ 350 for 30-35 minutes* or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
*These cooked in 30 minutes in my oven; a reader made them and while they turned out well, it took 50 minutes in his oven.
Cool completely before frosting.
peanut butter frosting
peanut butter
powdered sugar
water
I started out with 1 cup peanut butter and 2 cups powdered sugar. Added water to thin slightly, whip by hand until completely smooth. Add powdered sugar to desired consistency - I wanted the frosting to hold a swirl.
While these cupcakes were for Jason's birthday, something exciting is happening today that just may need it's own dessert.
I am honored and excited to be a contributor with gojee - a new recipe site launching today! Gojee, named for the Himalayan berry, is a cooking site showcasing recipes from home cooks. Gojee can recommend recipes based on food you already have, and you can link to a grocery market loyalty card.
I am thrilled to be among amazing company - gojee has hand picked many great recipes from exceptionally talented people! I already have many saved as favorites, and have met some new friends as well. I hope you will visit - we are all very excited today!
Genna says
made these for a party last night - made them mini - everyone approved! thank you so much, this is a delicious cake!
Marly says
I made these for a birthday party today and they were delicious! I love the texture, more like a brownie or a chocolate pound cake? the frosting was easy and fun to work with too - I never knew it could be!
Soma says
yes, all of the desserts in your parade look tasty, this has to be my favorite, nothing more classic than choc pb!!
Cara says
I mean this in the nicest way but I hate you!!! I am throwing my mouse at the computer in utter jealousy right now. This cupcake is precisely what I wanted to make for my dad's birthday this week. But 4 failed batches later, I had to give up. How did you learn how to do all of this?? (and by "this" I mean bake GF/Vegan). Man. Okay, jealousy leaving now. These look absolutely delicious and they sound like they actually taste like a cupcake. Lucky 🙂
spabettie says
oh, trust me, Cara, there have been MANY failed attempts in my kitchen! the vegan is not too difficult, flax or chia really do well as egg replacers, and the Ener-G powder was my first egg replacer! gluten free is the more difficult challenge, and I still have results that aren't exactly as expected.
these cupcakes were good - they were more dense, like a pound cake, but that's okay because we both like that! 🙂 the 'normal' cake crumb and texture is more difficult to achieve with gluten free methods, but I keep trying!
hihorosie says
drool drool drool drool - love choc/pb together! Mmm! And congrats on being a contributor - so exciting!
spabettie says
thank you SO much, I was really excited! 😀
Shirley @ gfe says
I confess that I like these sooo much better than the jalapeno poppers "stand." 😉 Yum!
xo,
Shirley
spabettie says
ahh, okay, Shirley, I know what you like now! 🙂 I understand, until just a couple years ago I didn't like anything spicy or any hot peppers. I still don't like things that are SO hot that it overpowers any flavor and I CRY, but jalapenos are flavorful to me. I know they are not for everyone, though. XXO!
(what runs) Lori says
HOLY MAMA! These look INCREDIBLE! I mean, really really incredible! You are SO talented with the photography and, of course, the food!
Love the simplicity of these.
spabettie says
thank you!! after our lovely friend Kris tweeted, I went to look for your cupcakes 😀 you have some awesome ones, my favorite was the COOKIE.