The batter uses cocoa, buttermilk and half a cup of hot coffee, which gives a dark, moist chocolate cupcake.
Once cool, each one is cored and filled with about two teaspoons of peanut butter before the peanut butter frosting goes on. These contain peanuts.
Why This Recipe Works
- Hot coffee blooms the cocoa for a deeper chocolate colour.
- Coring the cooled cupcakes leaves room for the filling.
- Butter beaten with peanut butter makes a frosting that pipes cleanly.
- Chopped peanuts add crunch on top.
After the Bake
Four additions once the cupcakes are cool.
Cool
Nothing yet
The cupcakes must be completely cool first.
Core
About 2 tsp creamy peanut butter each
Frost
Peanut butter frosting
Finish
Melted semisweet chocolate and chopped peanuts
How to Make It
Pan lined
Heat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin pan.
Dry mix
Whisk all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and fine salt.
Batter
Whisk granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, large egg, buttermilk, neutral oil, and vanilla extract. Mix in the dry ingredients, then stir in hot coffee.
Baked and cooled
Divide batter among the cups and bake 18 to 20 minutes, until a tester has a few moist crumbs. Cool completely.
Filled
Core each cupcake and fill with about 2 teaspoons creamy peanut butter.
Frosted
Beat softened unsalted butter with the frosting creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until pipeable. Frost the cupcakes.
Drizzled and topped
Drizzle with melted semisweet chocolate and finish with chopped roasted peanuts.
Ingredient Notes
- Creamy peanut butter
- Half a cup for the filling and three quarters of a cup for the frosting.
- Hot coffee
- Half a cup, stirred in last.
- Roasted peanuts
- A quarter cup, chopped, for the top.
Success Tips
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before coring or the centers tear.
- Add the cream a tablespoon at a time until the frosting is pipeable.
- Let the melted chocolate cool a minute so the drizzle sits on the frosting.
Serving Ideas
Serve at cool room temperature so the frosting is soft.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; bring to cool room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these contain peanuts?
Yes, peanut butter and chopped peanuts.
Will they taste of coffee?
The coffee deepens the chocolate; it is the only liquid added hot.
