Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

Name: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Makes 24 regular sized cupcakes
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (I prefer Duncan Hines); 3 large eggs; 3/4 c buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk regular milk is okay); 1 c peanut butter, creamy; 3/4 c strawberry or raspberry jam or filling (or your favorite flavor of jam); PEANUT BUTTER ICING; 1 c butter room temp (2 sticks); 1/2 c shortening (preferably high ratio such as Sweetex); 3/4 c peanut butter, creamy; 1 lb powdered sugar sifted; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 4 Tbsp half and half or cream for thinning; 1 Tbsp meringue powder (prefered but optional)

By Susan Bartley
@skbartley

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.

Note: We added mini peanut butter cookies for decorations, but a little extra jam drizzled on top would be delicious too! The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote5

Comments:

10 Comments

Serves:

Makes 24 regular sized cupcakes

Prep:

20 Min

Cook:

20 Min

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

1 box

yellow cake mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
3 large

eggs
3/4 c

buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk regular milk is okay)
1 c

peanut butter, creamy
3/4 c

strawberry or raspberry jam or filling (or your favorite flavor of jam)
PEANUT BUTTER ICING
1 c

butter room temp (2 sticks)
1/2 c

shortening (preferably high ratio such as Sweetex)
3/4 c

peanut butter, creamy
1 lb

powdered sugar sifted
2 tsp

pure vanilla extract
4 Tbsp

half and half or cream for thinning
1 Tbsp

meringue powder (prefered but optional)
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How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes

Step-by-Step

Preheat oven to 350 and line cupcake tins with cupcake papers. This recipe makes 24 so you'll need 2 tins.
Combine 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.
Now fill cupcake papers approx. 2/3 full, I use a 2-inch cookie scoop level full so I get nice uniform sized cupcakes.
Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until light brown and tops spring back when tapped.
Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Using a small knife, make a 1/2" wide circle cut going about 3/4" into the center of the cupcake.
Remove the cake from that opening. (Wilton also makes a small tool for removing the center that is quick and easy to use.)
Repeat on all cupcakes.
Fill a disposible pastry bag or a Ziploc with jam or filling. Cut the tip off leaving a 1/4 inch opening.
Now 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.
In mixing bowl combine butter, shortening and peanut butter, using flat paddle mix ingredients together until well blended and smooth.
Now 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.
Ice 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!