Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cupcakes!

When I get a craving for something sweet, nothing satisfies it more than something that is chocolate and peanut butter.    I love the combination of the two and a Reese's peanut butter cup is one of my favorite candy treat, so when I decided to make a cupcake using a brownie mix and I had a bag of miniature Reese's candies, the natural thing was to stick one in the middle. 

I will say that the best part of this whole thing turned out to be the fluffy peanut butter icing...oh my goodness, it is so good!  I could eat it by itself...as a matter of fact I did eat a good deal of it by itself.  I cannot make this very often though, because it's dangerous for me.   Fortunately, my son's girlfriend also loves peanut butter and she weighs about 90 pounds soaking wet ... I, on the other hand, DO NOT, so I sent her some of these to get them out of my sight.  I am not trying to sabotage her petite cuteness, but I refuse to buy bigger pants!   

This recipe is very simple because you use a brownie mix, even the icing goes together very easy for homemade icing.  Here is all you need:

Ingredients:

1 family size box of brownie mix, makes a 9x13 pan  (prepared as directed for cake like brownies, so you need eggs, oil and water)

24 miniature Reese's candies

Fluffy Peanut Butter Icing:

5 Tbs butter, softened

1 cup smooth peanut butter

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 cup half and half or cream

dash of salt

Prepare the brownie mix as directed on the package for cake like brownies.   Either spray two 12 cup muffin pans with nonstick baking spray or place cupcake liners in the cups.  I recommend the cupcake liners for easier cleanup.  Fill the cups half full.  Unwrap the Reese's candies and place on in each cup.  Cover with the rest of the batter, filling each one to 2/3 full.  Place in a 350 degree preheated oven for 18-20 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool before icing.

While the cupcakes cook, prepare the peanut butter icing.  Cream the butter and peanut butter together with an electric mixer.  Add in the sugar, half and half or cream, vanilla and dash of salt. Beat until it is light and fluffy.  Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to get it all blended.  Also, the dash of salt might sound odd, but don't leave it out, it really adds something to this.  Just a dash though, not much!  This icing is to die for!  I am not a huge icing kind of person, but this is so good! It might be because it's peanut butter and I do love peanut butter, but you have to try it!



When the cupcakes have cooled, frost them with the icing. Store in an airtight container or on a covered cake plate.

Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cup Cakes!