Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

Reese's Peanut Buttercup Cupcake, anyone?  It is amazing how inspirational candy can be!  I made these cupcakes for a jewlery party I was attending for my boyfriend's mother.  Women + chocolate cupcakes.. Cannot go wrong!
The recipe is from Ina Garten.

Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
Makes 12 cupcakes -

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter
2 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate (I used Ghiradelli)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake/muffin pan with baking cup liners.
2. Melt together butter (cut into 4 pieces), chocolate, and cocoa powder.
          For this step, I used the Wilton Chocolate Pro.  However you can also set a heatproof bowl over a saucepan with barely simmering water or use the microwave at 50% power in 30 second intervals.
3. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking poweder.
4. Whisk eggs in a stand mixer until combined and then add sugar, vanilla, and salt.
5. Add cooled chocolate mixture and whisk until combined.
6. Pour in 1/3 of flour mixture and whisk.
7. Add in sour cream and whisk.
8. Pour in the rest of the flour mixture and mix until thick.
          Be aware - this cupcake mixture is much thicker then most.  I added a little buttermilk to the recipe.
9. Divide among cupcakes liners, filling them about 2/3 of the way.
10. Bake for 18-20 minutes and then let cool on a wire rack.


While the cupackes cool, it is time to make the BEST part -
Peanut Butter Frosting
This recipe is also from Ina Garten.

Ingredients:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 teaspoon salt
1/3 heavy cream

Directions:

1. In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix together sugar, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt.  Mix until creamy.
2. Add the heavy cream and beat on high until light and smooth.


And now, for my most favorite part - ICING THE CUPCAKE!
I used a IM tip.

For more fun and deliciousness, top with crumbled candy!

ENJOY!

 (This was after the crowd began digging in!)