Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

These cupcakes are so decadently delicious!  The recipe comes from Taste of Home Cake Mix Treats, and if you love chocolate and peanut butter you’ll love these cupcakes!!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 package chocolate cake mix
• 1 1/4 c. water
• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 1/3 c. canola oil
• 3 eggs
• 24 miniature peanut butter cups

Frosting:

• 12 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
• 2/3 c. peanut butter
• Additional peanut butter cups, chopped

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil, and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds.  Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until smooth.
2. Fill paper lined muffin cups half full. Place peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake.  Cover each with 1 TBSP batter.
3. Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Place chocolate in a small bowl.  In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil.  Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth.  Stir in peanut butter.  Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until ganache reaches a spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.
5. Spread over cupcakes; immediately sprinkle with additional peanut butter cups.  Let stand until set.

****Don’t use reduced fat or generic brands of peanut butter.

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes: