Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

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Indulgence meets perfection with these Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes, a treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth. These cupcakes feature a rich, moist chocolate base topped with a soft peanut butter cookie, creating an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. The highlight? A surprise molten peanut butter center that oozes out with every bite, making each one a delightfully messy and delicious experience.

Drizzled with silky chocolate, sprinkled with chocolate chips, and adorned with crunchy candy pieces, these cupcakes are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Whether you’re a peanut butter lover, a chocolate enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates a good dessert, these cupcakes are bound to become a favorite. Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or just because—you’ll love every decadent bite!

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Why You’ll Love These Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

• Perfect Flavor Combination – The rich chocolate cupcake pairs flawlessly with creamy, nutty peanut butter for a match made in dessert heaven.
• Irresistibly Gooey Center – That warm, melty peanut butter filling takes these cupcakes to another level of deliciousness.
• Beautiful & Impressive – Topped with chocolate drizzle, candy pieces, and chocolate chips, these cupcakes are as stunning as they are tasty.
• Easy to Make – Despite their gourmet appearance, these cupcakes are simple to bake at home with no fancy techniques required.
• Crowd-Pleaser – Whether for a party, holiday, or just a weekend treat, these cupcakes will have everyone asking for seconds!

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To create these Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes, you’ll need a few essential tools to ensure the process goes smoothly. Each tool plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture, shape, and consistency.

Essential Tools & Their Importance

• Muffin Tin – This is essential for baking the cupcakes evenly and maintaining their perfect shape. A 12-cup standard muffin tin works best.
• Cupcake Liners – Prevents sticking and makes removing the cupcakes effortless while also keeping them looking neat.
• Mixing Bowls – You’ll need separate bowls for the dry and wet ingredients to properly mix everything without overworking the batter.
• Hand or Stand Mixer – Helps cream the butter and sugar together smoothly, ensuring a light and fluffy cupcake texture.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon – Useful for portioning the batter evenly into the cupcake liners for consistent baking.
• Piping Bag or Spoon – Needed for adding the gooey peanut butter filling into the cupcakes before baking.
• Offset Spatula or Butter Knife – Helps spread the chocolate drizzle and peanut butter topping evenly over the cupcakes.
• Cooling Rack – Ensures even cooling, preventing soggy bottoms and allowing the cupcakes to set properly before adding toppings.

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Preparation Tips

Getting the best results starts with a few smart preparation techniques. Follow these tips to make your cupcakes flawless:

• Use Room-Temperature Ingredients – Butter, eggs, and milk should be at room temperature for a smoother batter and better texture.
• Measure Ingredients Accurately – Use a kitchen scale for precision, especially for flour and cocoa powder, to avoid a dense cupcake.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter – Mix until just combined to keep the cupcakes light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes.
• Chill the Peanut Butter Filling – Slightly chilling the peanut butter before adding it to the cupcakes will help it stay gooey and not get absorbed into the batter.
• Fill Cupcake Liners Evenly – Only fill each liner about ¾ full to prevent overflow while baking.
• Cool Completely Before Decorating – Let the cupcakes cool fully before adding chocolate drizzle and toppings to avoid a melty mess.

By following these tips and using the right tools, you’ll be set up for cupcake perfection!

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Ingredients for Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

To make these decadent Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes, you’ll need a combination of baking essentials, rich chocolate flavors, and creamy peanut butter. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (120ml) hot water or brewed coffee (for enhanced chocolate flavor)

For the Peanut Butter Filling

• ½ cup (120g) creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup (30g) powdered sugar

For the Peanut Butter Cookie Topping

• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Drizzle & Toppings

• ½ cup (90g) chocolate chips, melted
• ¼ cup (45g) chocolate chips (for sprinkling)
• ¼ cup (45g) peanut butter candy pieces (for decoration)

These ingredients work together to create an incredible balance of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy toppings—a dream for any dessert lover!

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Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cupcake Batter

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing on low speed. Start and end with the dry ingredients.
6. Slowly mix in the hot water or brewed coffee until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, but that’s normal.

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Step 2: Fill & Add Peanut Butter Filling

1. Fill each cupcake liner halfway with the chocolate batter.
2. In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
3. Spoon 1 teaspoon of peanut butter filling into the center of each cupcake batter.
4. Cover with more cupcake batter, filling each liner about ¾ full.

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Step 3: Bake the Cupcakes

1. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the edge (not the center) comes out clean.
2. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

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Step 4: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cookie Topping

1. In a bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
4. Roll the dough into small balls (about 1-inch wide) and slightly flatten them.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool.

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Step 5: Assemble the Cupcakes

1. Place a cooled peanut butter cookie on top of each cupcake.
2. Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle over the cupcakes.
3. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips and peanut butter candy pieces for decoration.

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Notes

• Coffee Enhances Chocolate – Adding hot brewed coffee instead of water deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cupcakes taste like coffee.
• Peanut Butter Filling Texture – Chilling the peanut butter mixture slightly before using it makes it easier to work with and helps maintain the gooey center.
• Soft Cookie Topping – The peanut butter cookie should be slightly underbaked so that it stays soft and blends well with the cupcake’s texture.
• Melting Chocolate for Drizzle – Melt the chocolate chips in 20-second bursts in the microwave, stirring in between, to prevent burning.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

1. Overfilling Cupcake Liners – Filling liners too much can cause overflow and make the cupcakes lose their shape. Keep it to about ¾ full.
2. Skipping Room Temperature Ingredients – Cold ingredients don’t mix well and can lead to a dense cupcake. Let butter, eggs, and milk sit at room temperature before using.
3. Overbaking the Cupcakes – The gooey peanut butter center might dry out if the cupcakes are baked too long. Check at the 18-minute mark and remove when the edges are set.
4. Not Cooling Before Decorating – Adding toppings to warm cupcakes will cause chocolate drizzle to melt and toppings to slide off. Always wait until they are fully cooled.
5. Using Natural Peanut Butter – Natural peanut butter separates and is too runny for the filling. Stick to creamy, processed peanut butter for the best results.
6. Skipping the Cookie Step – The peanut butter cookie on top adds an extra layer of flavor and texture. It might seem like an extra step, but it’s worth it!
7. Not Measuring Ingredients Properly – Baking is precise. Use a kitchen scale for flour and cocoa powder to avoid overly dense or dry cupcakes.

By avoiding these common mistakes, your Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes will turn out perfectly every time!

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What to Serve With Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes?

These rich and indulgent cupcakes pair wonderfully with a variety of drinks and side treats. Whether you’re serving them at a party or just treating yourself, here are some great pairings to enhance the experience.

8 Perfect Pairings

1. Cold Milk

A classic choice! The creamy, cold milk balances the richness of chocolate and peanut butter, making each bite even more satisfying.

2. Hot Coffee or Espresso

The slight bitterness of coffee complements the sweetness of the cupcakes, creating a well-rounded dessert experience.

3. Vanilla Ice Cream

A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside a warm cupcake is pure heaven! The contrast of temperatures and flavors is irresistible.

4. Chocolate Ganache Dipping Sauce

Want to take it to the next level? Serve these cupcakes with a side of warm chocolate ganache for extra indulgence.

5. Fresh Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries add a refreshing tartness that cuts through the richness of the chocolate and peanut butter.

6. Salted Caramel Sauce

Drizzle some warm salted caramel over the cupcake for a decadent sweet-salty twist.

7. Peanut Butter Milkshake

Double up on the peanut butter goodness with a thick, creamy peanut butter milkshake. It’s a fun and delicious pairing!

8. Whipped Cream with Crushed Nuts

Top your cupcakes with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for an extra creamy and crunchy contrast.

Whether you go for a simple glass of milk or an elaborate dessert spread, these Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes will shine with any of these pairings!

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Storage Instructions

To keep your Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes fresh and delicious, follow these storage guidelines:

Room Temperature (1-2 Days)

• Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the chocolate drizzle from melting.

Refrigerator (Up to 5 Days)

• Place the cupcakes in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Before serving, let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to soften the peanut butter filling.

Freezer (Up to 2 Months)

• Freeze cupcakes without the toppings for best results. Wrap each cupcake individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and add the toppings fresh.

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Estimated Nutrition (Per Cupcake)

Nutrient	Approximate Amount
Calories	420 kcal
Carbohydrates	48g
Protein	7g
Fat	24g
Saturated Fat	12g
Sugar	35g
Fiber	3g
Sodium	180mg

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

These Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes are an indulgent treat, best enjoyed in moderation!

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a boxed cake mix instead of making the cupcakes from scratch?

Yes! If you’re short on time, a chocolate cake mix can be used as the base. Just prepare it according to the package instructions, then follow the steps for adding the peanut butter filling and toppings.

2. How do I keep the peanut butter filling gooey after baking?

To keep the peanut butter filling soft, don’t overbake the cupcakes and use creamy processed peanut butter instead of natural peanut butter, which can dry out.

3. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes a day ahead, store them at room temperature, and add the toppings right before serving for the freshest taste.

4. What’s the best way to melt chocolate for the drizzle?

The easiest method is to microwave chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth. You can also melt them using a double boiler over simmering water.

5. Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for both the cupcake and cookie layers. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

6. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes! Crunchy peanut butter will add a bit of texture to the filling, but it might not be as smooth and gooey as creamy peanut butter.

7. How do I prevent the cupcakes from sinking in the middle?

Make sure not to overmix the batter, as too much air can cause them to collapse. Also, don’t open the oven door while baking—temperature fluctuations can cause sinking.

8. Can I use a different type of chocolate for the drizzle?

Of course! Dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even a combination of both can be used for a unique twist.

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Conclusion

These Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes are the perfect indulgence for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. With their rich chocolate base, surprise gooey center, and irresistible toppings, they’re a show-stopping treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a party, a special celebration, or just a cozy night in, these cupcakes are guaranteed to impress.

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