Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Cupcakes Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add the melted butter, pretzel crumbs, confectioners' sugar and 1 cup of the peanut butter and stir together until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking dish. Combine the chocolate chips and the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate and peanut butter are melted and smooth; two intervals should be enough. Mix to blend, then spread over the peanut butter-pretzel layer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.

Steps:

• Chocolate Cake
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cupcake pans with 24 baking cups.
• Place the cocoa powder in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and pour the hot coffee over. Mix on low speed until a thick paste forms and the mixture stops steaming, about 1 minute.
• Increase the mixer speed to medium. In a 4-cup measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, oil, vanilla, egg, egg yolk, and salt and mix lightly with a fork, ensuring yolks are broken. Slowly pour into the mixer bowl.
• Stop the mixer, detach the paddle, and scrape the bottom of the bowl well to loosen any caked-on cocoa. Reattach the paddle and turn the mixer to medium, letting it run for 1 minute. Stop mixer again.
• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda and add to the batter. Mix on low speed til just combined. Remove the bowl and paddle and use paddle attachment to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring everything is mixed.
• Scoop the batter into prepared baking cups, filling them two thirds of the way.
• Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. The cupcakes are done when the centers spring back when you touch them.
• Remove cupcakes from oven. Let cool completely.
• Peanut Butter Buttercream
• Prepare master recipe for buttercream . Once butter is added, add the peanut butter and salt and mix on high to combine. Taste for seasoning. If desired, add more peanut butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, or a pinch more salt. Continue until, after tasting, your eyes roll into the back of your head.
• Classic Ganache
• Place the chocolate in a bowl, and shake the bowl back and forth until the chocolate flattens out on top.
• Heat the cream and sea salt in a medium saucepan until it comes to a boil.
• Immediately pour the hot cream mixture over chocolate, and let sit for two minutes to allow chocolate to melt.
• Using a heatproof spatula, stir the cream and chocolate together until completely smooth.
• Allow to cool slightly before drizzling on the cupcakes. The ganache should not be hot to the touch; it should still be liquid. If it cools completely and becomes solid, microwave it on 50 percent power in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until desired consistency is reached.
• Assembly
• Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip with the peanut buttercream, and pipe onto each chocolate cupcake. Put the cupcakes into the refrigerator so the buttercream hardens, about 20 minutes.
• Pulse the pretzels and peanuts in a food processor until they're coarse crumbs. Alternately, place in a strong zip-top bag and repeatedly smack the bag with a rolling pin, a heavy skillet, or anything else you find enjoyable. Place the crumbs in a pie dish or baking pan.
• Remove the cupcakes from the refrigerator and gently roll the sides of the buttercream in the pretzel mixture. Pour a handful of the mixture over the top of each cupcake and lightly pack on with hand. Shake off any excess and set aside.
• Drizzle ganache across each cupcake.

Steps:

• Line an 8- or 9- inch square baking pan with foil.
• Melt 8 tablespoons of the butter and add to a large bowl. Add the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, vanilla and 1 cup of peanut butter and stir until well combined. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the prepared baking pan and smooth with an offset spatula to create an even layer.
• Combine the chocolate chips, the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the remaining tablespoon peanut butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Alternatively, this can be done over a double boiler. Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter and smooth with an offset spatula. Arrange the pretzel sticks on the surface of the chocolate, pressing them lightly to adhere. Refrigerate until hardened, about 1 1/2 hours. Cut into squares to serve.

Steps:

• In a microwave or heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and 3 t. oil until smooth.
• Dip pretzels, shake off excess.
• Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheet to set and then refrigerate for one hour.
• Meanwhile melt the peanut butter chips and remaining oil.
• Transfer to a small resealable bag.
• Cut a small hole in the corner of bag, drizzle over 1/2 the pretzels and again refrigerate until hardened.
• Store in a airtight container.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Cool completely before proceeding.
• In a piping bag, add thick stripes of caramel to the sides of the bag before spooning in the chocolate frosting. This will give a caramel swirl when the frosting is piped onto the cupcake. Pipe frosting onto all cupcakes.
• Crush mini pretzels to sprinkle over the top of the frosting. Garnish each cupcake with one whole mini pretzel.

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and milk until smooth.
• Set aside.
• In a bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs, water, oil and vanilla.
• Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. (batter will be thin.).
• Fill paper-lined jumbo muffin cups half full with batter.
• Drop scant tablespoons of peanut butter mixture into center of each.
• Cover with remaining batter.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Cool 10 minutes.
• Remove from pans to wire racks.
• Cool completely.
• Combine frosting ingredients.
• Frost cupcakes.
• Store in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 30 paper baking cups in muffin cups.
• Prepare, bake and cool cupcakes according to package directions.
• Combine frosting and peanut butter in medium bowl. Stir until smooth. Frost one cupcake. Decorate with peanut butter cup candy, cut-side down. Repeat with remaining cupcakes and candies.