If you’re ready to indulge in the ultimate chocolate and peanut butter delight, this Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These cupcakes bring together rich cocoa, smooth and chunky peanut butter, and a luscious frosting to create a treat that’s perfectly gooey inside and beautifully moist throughout. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a comforting dessert, these cupcakes promise to deliver layers of flavor and texture that’ll make you smile with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the list intimidate you—each ingredient here is straightforward and plays an essential role to build the perfect cupcake. From the cocoa powder lending that deep chocolate flavor to the buttermilk adding moisture and tang, everything works harmoniously to create these delightful treats.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives cupcakes their structure and tenderness.
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: For rich, authentic chocolate flavor without any added sweetness.
- 1 tsp baking powder: Helps the cupcakes rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Works with the buttermilk to create a tender crumb.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate taste.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness that blends perfectly with chocolate.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed): Introduces a subtle molasses note and keeps the cupcakes moist.
- 2 large eggs: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk): Brings moisture and a slight tang, improving texture.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cupcakes ultra moist without adding strong flavor.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Brightens and rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- 1/2 cup boiling water: Enhances the cocoa flavor and ensures a smooth batter.
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky): The gooey peanut butter center’s star ingredient.
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy): Used in both the filling and frosting for a luscious texture.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the peanut butter filling.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Key to a creamy, dreamy frosting.
- 3 cups powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and structure to the peanut butter frosting.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting with warmth.
- 2 tbsp milk: Adjusts the frosting’s consistency to the perfect spreadable texture.
How to Make Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together your all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures your leavening agents and dry flavors are evenly distributed, setting the stage for a balanced cupcake.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This combination adds richness, sweetness, and moisture so that every bite is satisfyingly tender.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mix to the wet batter and stir just until combined. Then, carefully pour in the boiling water. It might thin out the batter, but that’s exactly what you want to create those moist, delicate cupcakes.
Step 4: Add Peanut Butter Filling
Line your muffin tin and fill each liner halfway with batter. Drop a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each—this hidden gooey center is the heart of the recipe! Cover the peanut butter with more batter until each liner is about three-quarters full.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the cupcakes for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake (away from the peanut butter center) comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cooling is crucial to keep the gooey center intact and ready for filling.
Step 6: Make the Peanut Butter Filling
In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. This simple but luscious filling adds an extra peanut buttery pop inside the cupcakes after baking.
Step 7: Prepare the Peanut Butter Frosting
Beat together softened butter and creamy peanut butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly. Add vanilla extract and milk to reach your preferred frosting consistency—smooth, creamy, and ready for spreading or piping.
Step 8: Assemble Your Cupcakes
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, carefully hollow out the center of each cupcake and spoon the peanut butter filling inside. Finish with a generous swirl of peanut butter frosting on top. For an extra touch, drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle chopped peanuts to elevate presentation and flavor.
How to Serve Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your cupcakes adds visual appeal and an extra layer of flavor. Try a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or sprinkle a few roasted peanut fragments on top of the frosting. A light dusting of cocoa powder can also add a sophisticated touch that hints at the chocolatey goodness inside.
Side Dishes
These cupcakes shine as a dessert star, but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream turns your treat into a decadent experience. Fresh berries or a small glass of cold milk will perfectly complement the rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cupcakes on a beautifully arranged dessert platter with colorful napkins and fresh flowers for a special occasion. Alternatively, place them in pretty cupcake wrappers and box them as a thoughtful homemade gift. You can also turn them into mini dessert parfaits by layering crumbled cupcake, peanut butter filling, and frosting in clear cups for a whimsical presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them to maintain freshness. The frosting may firm up slightly in the cold but returns to perfect texture once at room temp.
Freezing
Freeze the cupcakes (without frosting for best results) by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
Reheating
Warm your cupcakes gently in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to revive that gooey peanut butter center and soften the cake. Avoid overheating as it may melt the frosting unevenly. Freshly warmed, they taste just like they came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter adds a lovely texture contrast in the gooey center and frosting. It’s a great way to customize the cupcakes to your preference.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, use regular milk with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice added. Let it sit for 5 minutes; this mimics the tanginess and acidity of buttermilk, which helps with the cupcakes’ tender crumb.
Why is the batter so thin?
The boiling water thins the batter and intensifies the cocoa flavor. It’s completely normal and necessary to achieve moist and tender cupcakes with rich chocolate taste.
Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or other binders to keep the texture consistent.
How do I avoid the peanut butter filling leaking out?
Make sure to fully cover the peanut butter filling with batter before baking. Also, avoid overfilling the cupcake liners to help keep the filling in place as it melts gooey during baking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and this Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe captures that magic perfectly. The luscious peanut butter center paired with moist chocolate cupcakes and creamy frosting is an irresistible treat that’s sure to brighten any day. Give this recipe a try, and you might just find yourself baking it over and over for family, friends, or a well-deserved sweet moment all for yourself.
Print
Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes combine rich chocolate cake with a molten peanut butter center, topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting. Perfectly moist and decadent, they are an irresistible treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers alike.
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup boiling water
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky, your preference)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure they are evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Dry with Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cupcakes.
- Add Boiling Water: Pour in the boiling water and mix gently; the batter will become thin, but this is expected and will result in moist cupcakes.
- Fill Cupcake Liners: Spoon the batter into a prepared muffin tin lined with cupcake liners, filling each about halfway full.
- Add Peanut Butter Center: Drop about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each cupcake, then cover with more batter until the liners are about three-quarters full.
- Bake Cupcakes: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the edges comes out clean but the peanut butter center remains gooey. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Peanut Butter Filling: In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened butter with creamy peanut butter until light and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly each time.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: Mix in vanilla extract and milk, beating until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Add more milk if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
- Fill Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, use a small knife to cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and fill with the peanut butter filling.
- Frost Cupcakes: Top each filled cupcake with a swirl of peanut butter frosting using a piping bag or knife.
- Optional Decoration: For extra flair, drizzle melted chocolate over the cupcakes or sprinkle with chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- The batter will be thin after adding boiling water, which is normal and helps produce moist cupcakes.
- Use either smooth or chunky peanut butter based on your texture preference for the filling.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, regular milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- To ensure gooey centers, do not overbake the cupcakes; watch closely towards the end of baking time.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Bring refrigerated cupcakes to room temperature or warm slightly before serving for best flavor and texture.
