Reese’s Stuffed Cupcakes

Introduction & Inspiration

This recipe, “Reese’s Stuffed Cupcakes,” is a dream come true for peanut butter and chocolate lovers. It combines the richness of devil’s food cake with a creamy peanut butter frosting and a hidden Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup surprise inside each cupcake.

The inspiration comes from the classic and irresistible pairing of peanut butter and chocolate, and the desire to create a cupcake that’s both decadent and fun.

These cupcakes are perfect for birthday parties, potlucks, or any time you’re craving a truly indulgent treat.

The use of a boxed cake mix makes the recipe relatively easy, while the homemade peanut butter frosting and the stuffed Reese’s cups elevate it to something special.

Nostalgic Appeal (with a Peanut Butter Cup Twist)

These cupcakes tap into the nostalgic appeal of both chocolate cupcakes and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, two treats that many people have enjoyed since childhood.

Devil’s food cake, with its rich chocolate flavor, is a classic comfort food.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, with their combination of milk chocolate and creamy peanut butter, are an iconic candy.

The combination of these two elements creates a cupcake that’s both familiar and exciting, appealing to a wide range of tastes.

The hidden Reese’s cup inside each cupcake adds an element of surprise and delight, making them even more fun to eat.

Semi-Homemade Convenience

This recipe utilizes a boxed devil’s food cake mix as its base, making it a “semi-homemade” creation. This offers the usual advantages:

• Convenience: Saving time and effort.
• Consistency: Providing reliable results.
• Accessibility: Readily available ingredients.

The homemade peanut butter frosting adds a touch of that from-scratch goodness and allows for customization of flavor and texture.

This balance between convenience and homemade elements makes the recipe approachable and appealing.

Flavor Goal

The primary flavor goal is a rich, moist, and intensely chocolatey cupcake with a creamy, peanut buttery frosting and a burst of peanut butter cup flavor in the center.

The devil’s food cake mix provides the deep chocolate base.

The peanut butter frosting is sweet, creamy, and intensely peanut buttery, complementing the chocolate cake perfectly.

The stuffed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup adds an extra layer of flavor and texture, with its combination of milk chocolate and creamy peanut butter filling.

The melted chocolate drizzle on top adds a final touch of chocolate decadence.

It’s a flavor combination that’s designed to be over-the-top, indulgent, and utterly satisfying for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s break down each ingredient:

For the Cupcakes:

• Devil’s Food Cake Mix (prepared according to package instructions): This provides the base for the cupcakes, offering a convenient and consistent chocolate cake. The additional ingredients (typically eggs, oil, and water) are needed to complete the batter.
• Reese’s Miniatures (unwrapped, divided): These are the surprise inside each cupcake, adding a burst of peanut butter cup flavor.

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

• Creamy Peanut Butter: This is the key ingredient in the frosting, providing its signature peanut butter flavor and creamy texture.
• Unsalted Butter (softened): This adds richness and helps to create a smooth and fluffy frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting and provides structure.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: This enhances the flavor of the frosting.
• Kosher Salt: This balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Heavy Cream: This adds moisture and helps to create a smooth and spreadable consistency in the frosting.

For the Garnish:

• Melted Chocolate: This is drizzled over the top of the frosted cupcakes, adding an extra layer of chocolate and visual appeal.
• Reese’s Miniatures Added to the top of the cupcake.

Essential Equipment

Here’s the equipment you’ll need:

• Muffin tin (standard 12-cup): For baking the cupcakes.
• Cupcake liners: To line the muffin tin and prevent sticking.
• Large mixing bowl: For preparing the cake batter and the frosting.
• Hand mixer (or stand mixer): For mixing the cake batter and whipping the frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient proportions.
• Small microwave safe bowl: For melting chocolate.
• Spatula or knife: For frosting the cupcakes.

That’s a fairly standard list of baking equipment.

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s the ingredient list with precise measurements:

• 24 Reese’s miniatures, unwrapped, divided
• Devil’s food cake mix, prepared according to package instructions
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 10 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp. heavy cream
• ¼ cup melted chocolate

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through the process:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. Prepare Cake Mix: Prepare the devil’s food cake mix according to the package instructions.
3. Fill Liners and Add Reese’s: Fill each cupcake liner about three-quarters full with batter. Place a Reese’s Miniature into the center of each unbaked cupcake.
4. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the edge (avoiding the Reese’s center) comes out clean.
5. Cool: Let the cupcakes cool completely in the muffin tin.
6. Make Peanut Butter Frosting: Meanwhile, make the peanut butter frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until evenly combined. Gradually add the heavy cream and beat until smooth and creamy.
7. Frost and Garnish: Frost the cooled cupcakes with the peanut butter frosting. Top each cupcake with a Reese’s Miniature, then drizzle with melted chocolate.

Troubleshooting

Here are a few potential issues and solutions:

• Cupcakes Sinking: Overmixing, oven temperature, and expired leavening agents can cause this.
• Cupcakes Too Dry: This can happen if you overbake them. Watch the cupcakes carefully and check for doneness with a toothpick.
• Frosting Too Stiff: Add more heavy cream, a tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
• Frosting Too Runny: Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
• Reese’s Cup Sinking Be sure it is centered, and not touching the bottom or sides of the liner.

Tips and Variations

Here are some ways to customize this recipe:

• Different Cake Mix: Use a different flavor of cake mix, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a yellow cake mix for a different flavor profile.
• Different Candy: Use different candies for the filling, such as mini Snickers bars, mini Milky Way bars, or Rolos.
• Add Chocolate Chips: Mix in chocolate chips to the batter.
• Different Frosting Flavor: Add cocoa powder to the frosting for a chocolate-peanut butter frosting, or use a cream cheese frosting instead.
• Make Mini Cupcakes: Use mini muffin tins and adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Skip the stuffing: If desired, you can omit stuffing the cupcakes.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Reese’s Stuffed Cupcakes are perfect for:

• Birthday Parties: They’re a fun and festive treat that kids and adults will love.
• Potlucks and Gatherings: They’re easy to transport and serve a crowd.
• Dessert Buffets: They add a decadent and eye-catching element to any dessert spread.
• Everyday Indulgence: They’re a perfect way to satisfy your peanut butter and chocolate cravings any day of the week.

They pair well with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Nutritional Information

These cupcakes are a rich and decadent treat, containing sugar and fat from the cake mix, butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate.

The exact nutritional information will vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use.

It’s best to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Summary: Reese’s Stuffed Cupcakes are devil’s food cupcakes with a hidden Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inside, topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting and a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time? A: Yes, you can bake the cupcakes and make the frosting a day or two in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Assemble the cupcakes (stuff with Reese’s and frost) closer to the serving time.

Q: How long do they last? A: Stored in an airtight container, the cupcakes should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Q: Can I freeze them? A: You can freeze the unfrosted and unfilled cupcakes for up to 2-3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Thaw them in the refrigerator before filling, frosting, and decorating. It’s not recommended to freeze the fully assembled cupcakes.

Q: Can I use a different type of candy for the filling? A: Absolutely! Experiment with your favorite miniature candies.

Q: Can I use natural peanut butter for the frosting? A: It’s best to use creamy, processed peanut butter for the frosting, as natural peanut butter can sometimes separate and create a less stable frosting.

The History of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

To continue expanding this article, let’s explore the history of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the star ingredient in these cupcakes.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were created by H.B. Reese, a former dairy farmer and shipping foreman for Milton S. Hershey, in 1928.

Reese originally started his own candy company, the H.B. Reese Candy Company, in the basement of his home in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

He created a variety of candies, but his peanut butter cups, originally called “penny cups” because they sold for one cent each, became his most popular product.

The original Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were made with Hershey’s milk chocolate and a creamy peanut butter filling.

The combination of sweet milk chocolate and slightly salty peanut butter was an instant success.

During World War II, when sugar was rationed, Reese discontinued most of his other candies and focused on producing peanut butter cups.

In 1963, the H.B. Reese Candy Company was acquired by The Hershey Company.

Today, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are one of the best-selling candies in the world, and they’re available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and flavors.

The Perfect Pairing: Chocolate and Peanut Butter

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter, as showcased in these Reese’s Stuffed Cupcakes, is a classic and beloved flavor pairing.

The sweetness of the chocolate is perfectly balanced by the salty, nutty flavor of the peanut butter.

The creamy texture of peanut butter complements both the fudgy texture of the cake and the smooth texture of the melted chocolate.

This flavor combination is popular in a wide variety of desserts, including:

• Peanut Butter Cups: Of course!
• Cookies: Peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, or chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.
• Brownies: Peanut butter swirled brownies or brownies with peanut butter frosting.
• Ice Cream: Peanut butter ice cream with chocolate swirls or chunks.
• Cakes and Pies: Chocolate cakes or pies with peanut butter frosting or filling.

The enduring popularity of this flavor combination is a testament to its deliciousness and versatility.

Tips for Working with Melted Chocolate

Melting chocolate, as we do for the drizzle on these cupcakes, requires a bit of care to prevent it from seizing or burning.

Here are a few tips for melting chocolate successfully:

• Use a Double Boiler or Microwave: The microwave method, as described in the recipe, is quick and convenient. Heat in short intervals and stir in between. Or, you can use a double boiler.
• Chop the Chocolate Finely: This helps the chocolate to melt evenly (if not using chips).
• Avoid Water: Make sure that no water comes into contact with the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize and become grainy.
• Don’t Overheat: Overheating the chocolate can cause it to burn and become bitter.

By following these tips, you can melt chocolate perfectly every time, creating a smooth and glossy drizzle for your Reese’s Stuffed Cupcakes.

The Importance of Room Temperature Ingredients

Using softened butter and room temperature ingredients, is important.

Room temperature butter is softer and more pliable, making it easier to cream with the sugar for the frosting.

Room temperature eggs emulsify more easily into batters and frostings.

Taking the time to bring your ingredients to room temperature can make a significant difference.

The Joy of Baking Cupcakes

Baking cupcakes, even with the help of a boxed mix, is a fun and rewarding experience.

The process of measuring ingredients, mixing batter, and watching the cupcakes rise in the oven can be therapeutic and satisfying.

The aroma of baking cupcakes filling your kitchen is incredibly comforting and inviting.

And the final product – a batch of delicious, homemade cupcakes – is a sweet reward for your efforts.