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Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Buttercream Icing

Peanut butter and chocolate are the classic combination featured in these Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Buttercream Icing. To simplify, these cupcakes begin with a doctored cake mix with a few added twists to ramp up the flavor. They’re topped with a homemade peanut buttercream frosting and sprinkled with peanuts and a drizzle of chocolate ganache. They’re rich and delicious!

Double Chocolate Cupcakes With A Peanut Buttercream Icing

Easy Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Buttercream Icing Recipe

I love baking as is demonstrated by the many desserts found in the recipe index. I nearly always bake completely from scratch, but wanted to show how to doctor a cake mix to elevate it and turn it into something special. These cupcakes are topped off with a creamy homemade peanut-buttercream icing that takes them to another level. For the crowning touch, these double chocolate cupcakes are finished with a drizzle of homemade chocolate ganache, and a sprinkle of chopped salted peanuts. They’re sure to be the belle of the party. How to make Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Buttercream Icing: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two 12 cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  • In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter with 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips. Stir until completely smooth.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, buttermilk and eggs. Pour the melted chocolate into the cake batter on low speed then increase the speed to medium high.
  • Beat on medium high for about 1-2 minutes until the batter is smooth and the melted chocolate is fully incorporated.
  • Using a regular size ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full. 
  • Place into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before icing.
  • Icing: In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer whip together the softened butter and peanut butter around 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add 1 Tbsp of heavy cream, vanilla and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Repeat alternating 1 Tbsp cream and powdered sugar until all sugar is used. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Chocolate Ganache: Melt 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips with 1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream in the microwave until smooth. Do this in 30 second increments stopping to stir as needed. Cool slightly.
  • Frost cooled cupcakes and drizzle each with the melted ganache. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top. Store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

ingredients to make double chocolate cupcakes

How to Make the BEST Double Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Buttercream Icing

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Double Chocolate Cupcakes: One box Devils Food cake mix, buttermilk, large eggs, butter and semi sweet chocolate baking chips.
  • To make the Peanut Buttercream Icing you’ll need: Peanut butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, softened butter, vanilla extract and chopped peanuts for garnishing.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Two 12 cup muffin/cupcake pans, cupcake liners, hand mixer or stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knife and chopping board or nut chopper to chop the peanuts, icing spatula or pastry bag fitted with a jumbo open star tip.
  • When making these cupcakes, you can use a doctored cake mix as demonstrated in the recipe or you may opt to use my Double Chocolate Cake recipe for the batter if you prefer to bake from scratch.
  • The cupcakes can be made one day in advance then frosted just before serving. Especially if it’s your plan to drizzle with warm ganache.
  • Should you like to make the frosting in advance. Chill it in an airtight container then bring to room temperature to soften and whip with a whisk or a mixer  before frosting the cupcakes. Have extra cream on hand to thin, if needed.
  • Store frosted Double Chocolate Cupcakes in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Chocolate Cupcakes frosted with peanut buttercream icing

More Easy Cupcake Recipes to Make

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Double Chocolate Cupcakes with a Peanut Buttercream Icing

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Chill Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 40 minutes
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: double-chocolate-cupcakes-with-peanut-buttercream-icing, peanut-butter-cream-recipe
Servings: 24 Cupcakes
Calories: 323kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • Cupcakes:
  • 1 15.25 oz box devils food cake mix
  • 1 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Peanut Buttercream Icing:
  • 1 16 oz box powdered sugar
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 10-12 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla
  • 1 cup salted cocktail peanuts chopped

Instructions

  • Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two 12 cup muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  • In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup butter with 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips. Stir until completely smooth.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cake mix, buttermilk and eggs. Pour the melted chocolate into the cake batter on low speed then increase the speed to medium high.
  • Beat on medium high for about 1-2 minutes until the batter is smooth and the melted chocolate is fully incorporated.
  • Using a regular size ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full. 
  • Place into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely on wire racks before icing.
  • Icing: In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer whip together the softened butter and peanut butter around 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add 1 Tbsp of heavy cream, vanilla and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Repeat alternating 1 Tbsp cream and powdered sugar until all sugar is used. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Chocolate Ganache: Melt 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips with 1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream in the microwave until smooth. Do this in 30 second increments stopping to stir as needed. Cool slightly.
  • Frost cooled cupcakes and drizzle each with the melted ganache. Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top. Store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Please note: Follow the recipe for ingredient amounts not the instructions on the back of the box. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 619IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
 

4 Comments

  1. Melissa,

    Thank you SO MUCH for the recipe. I was lead to your site by my friend/fellow foodie Didi Dalaba. Although I have to work on my decorating skills everything came out great and was DELICIOUS!

    Thanks Again!
    Scott Earl

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