peanut butter and jelly cupcakes
Everybody loves peanut butter and jelly. Now combine these flavors in a cupcake and you've got a hit! I have also make this recipe as a 8" cake, using a bit more filling to fill the inside layers, than icing with the peanut butter icing. Young and old alike love the marriage of peanut butter and jelly. I use strawberry or raspberry most of the time, but really any flavor will work. Happy baking!
Blue Ribbon Recipe
If you and your family are peanut butter & jelly fans, you will love these cupcakes. The cupcake itself is very dense but moist, and the perfect vessel for the jelly. Be careful the jelly oozes out... but it's so good. Susan's frosting is sweet, creamy, and the perfect finishing touch. We used strawberry jam, but get creative and use your favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk regular milk is okay)
- 1 cup peanut butter, creamy
- 3/4 cup strawberry or raspberry jam or filling (or your favorite flavor of jam)
- PEANUT BUTTER ICING
- 1 cup butter room temp (2 sticks)
- 1/2 cup shortening (preferably high ratio such as Sweetex)
- 3/4 cup peanut butter, creamy
- 1 pound powdered sugar sifted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons half and half or cream for thinning
- 1 tablespoon meringue powder (prefered but optional)
How To Make peanut butter and jelly cupcakes
-
Step 1Preheat oven to 350 and line cupcake tins with cupcake papers. This recipe makes 24 so you'll need 2 tins.
-
Step 2Combine first 4 ingredients in mixing bowl, beat on low for 1 minute to combine ingredients, then beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Batter will be thick.
-
Step 3Now fill cupcake papers approx. 2/3 full, I use a 2-inch cookie scoop level full so I get nice uniform sized cupcakes.
-
Step 4Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until light brown and tops spring back when tapped.
-
Step 5Remove from oven and allow to cool.
-
Step 6Using a small knife, make a 1/2" wide circle cut going about 3/4" into the center of the cupcake.
-
Step 7Remove the cake from that opening. (Wilton also makes a small tool for removing the center that is quick and easy to use.)
-
Step 8Repeat on all cupcakes.
-
Step 9Fill a disposible pastry bag or a Ziploc with jam or filling. Cut the tip off leaving a 1/4 inch opening.
-
Step 10Now fill each opening on the top of the cupcakes with the jam, filling just to the top of the cupcake, do not over fill. Set aside and make your icing.
-
Step 11In mixing bowl combine butter, shortening and peanut butter, using flat paddle mix ingredients together until well blended and smooth.
-
Step 12Now add sifted powdered sugar and meringue powder (if you're using it) and blend in on low speed until it's incorporated. Add vanilla and half and half, one tablespoon at a time, just until icing is creamy and spreadable. If you need more than 4 tablespoons go ahead and add more, but I find 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) is perfect. Beat on medium speed for 10 minutes to get a nice creamy icing.
-
Step 13Ice filled cupcakes using either a pastry bag or a knife. Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge. Remove from fridge and let sit for a half hour or so before serving. Now just enjoy!
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!