Irresistible Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Recipe

Sweet dreams come true when peanut butter cup lava cupcakes merge decadent chocolate with creamy peanut butter.

Molten centers promise pure indulgence for dessert enthusiasts.

Unexpected textures create a delightful surprise in every bite.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over this irresistible treat.

Melted goodness flows from the center, turning an ordinary cupcake into a magical experience.

Rich flavors dance across your palate with each mouthwatering morsel.

Rush to the kitchen and make magic happen – these cupcakes are calling you.

Why Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Are A Hit

• Uncover Hidden Surprises: Bite into these chocolate cupcakes and discover a delightful peanut butter filling that transforms each treat into a thrilling culinary adventure.
• Master Bakery-Level Techniques: Learn professional baking skills by creating perfectly balanced cupcakes with smooth batters, precise filling techniques, and artistic drizzling.
• Customize for Every Crowd: Adapt these cupcakes for various gatherings, from casual family desserts to elegant party treats that will impress both kids and adults with their decadent flavors.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Garnish with whole peanut butter cups and sea salt to create a gourmet-style dessert that looks as stunning as it tastes, making every bite a visual and gustatory delight.

Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Ingredient Breakdown

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure and texture to the chocolate cupcakes.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cupcake batter.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the chocolate cupcakes.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a moist cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide richness to the cupcake batter.
• Milk: Contributes moisture and helps create a smooth, consistent batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cupcakes remain tender and soft.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the chocolate flavor.

• Creamy Peanut Butter, Powdered Sugar, Unsalted Butter: Combine to create a smooth, sweet filling for the cupcake center.
• Peanut Butter Cups: Provide extra texture and intense peanut butter flavor throughout the filling.
• Chocolate Ganache: Creates a rich, glossy topping for the cupcakes.
• Sea Salt: Adds a sophisticated flavor contrast to the sweet cupcakes.
• Whole Peanut Butter Cup: Serves as an elegant garnish for the finished cupcakes.

Steps To Make Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F and line your muffin tin with cute cupcake liners, spreading them out evenly so each cupcake gets perfect love.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Ensure no pesky lumps remain for a silky smooth base.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Keep whisking until everything looks beautifully combined and glossy.

Step 4: Create Chocolate Batter

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring carefully until a luscious chocolate batter emerges. Stop mixing as soon as everything looks incorporated.

Step 5: Whip Up Peanut Butter Filling

• Creamy peanut butter
• Powdered sugar
• Softened unsalted butter

Mix until you get a dreamy, spreadable consistency.

Step 6: Add Peanut Butter Cup Chunks

Fold chopped peanut butter cups into the filling, distributing them like delightful little treasures.

Step 7: Fill Cupcake Liners

Pour chocolate batter halfway into each liner, then drop a generous spoonful of peanut butter filling right in the center.

Step 8: Seal The Surprise

Cover the peanut butter filling completely with remaining chocolate batter, creating a hidden pocket of deliciousness.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Slide the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the edge – it should come out clean.

Step 10: Cool Down

Let cupcakes chill on a wire rack until they reach room temperature.

Step 11: Prepare Drizzle Magic

Craft chocolate ganache and warm some extra peanut butter for the final flourish.

Step 12: Decorate With Flair

Drizzle chocolate ganache and melted peanut butter over cupcakes, creating swirly artistic patterns.

Step 13: Final Fabulous Touch

Crown each cupcake with a whole peanut butter cup and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt for that gourmet finish.

Smart Tips For Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes

• Sift Dry Ingredients Carefully: Remove any clumps in flour and cocoa powder to ensure a smooth, consistent cupcake texture.
• Blend Wet Ingredients Thoroughly: Whisk sugar, eggs, milk, and oil until completely smooth for a well-integrated batter.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together to prevent tough, dense cupcakes.
• Control Filling Placement: Spoon peanut butter filling carefully in the center, covering completely with chocolate batter for a surprise inside.
• Master Baking Timing: Watch cupcakes closely and test with a toothpick to achieve perfect moisture and doneness.

Flavor Swaps For Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same rich chocolate flavor while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes: Swap eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and substitute butter with coconut oil for a completely dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet taste.
• Almond Butter Alternative: Swap peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty profile, creating a unique flavor combination while keeping the core recipe structure intact.

What Tastes Good With Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes

• Pair Creamy Chocolate Milk: The rich chocolate cupcakes beautifully complement a cold glass of smooth chocolate milk, enhancing the dessert's decadent cocoa notes.
• Complement with Bold Coffee: A strong, freshly brewed espresso or dark roast coffee balances the sweet cupcake's intense chocolate and peanut butter flavors, cutting through the richness.
• Match with Caramel Liqueur: An elegant caramel-infused liqueur provides a sophisticated adult twist, harmonizing with the cupcake's nutty and chocolate undertones while adding a luxurious warmth.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream creates a delightful temperature contrast, its creamy smoothness perfectly offsetting the cupcake's dense texture and amplifying its indulgent taste profile.

How To Store Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Right

• Store cupcakes in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid for up to 3-4 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, preserving them for 2-3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Keep cupcakes at room temperature for 1-2 days in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain their quality.
• Gently warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore their soft, moist texture.

Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes FAQs

• How do I prevent the peanut butter filling from sinking to the bottom of the cupcake?

Fold the filling gently into the center of the batter and cover completely with chocolate batter to help it stay in place during baking.

• Can I use natural peanut butter for the filling?

It’s best to use creamy, stabilized peanut butter to ensure a smooth, consistent filling that won’t separate during mixing.

• What's the secret to getting a perfect chocolate cupcake texture?

Sift dry ingredients, avoid overmixing the batter, and be careful not to overbake to maintain a moist, tender crumb.

• How can I tell if the cupcakes are fully baked?

Insert a toothpick near the edge of the cupcake – it should come out clean, with no wet batter clinging to it.

Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent peanut butter cup lava cupcakes melt chocolate and creamy peanut butter into a sinful dessert experience. Molten centers and rich ganache invite chocolate lovers to savor each irresistible, gooey bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup milk
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp salt

Filling Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup creamy peanut butter
• 0.25 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 peanut butter cups, chopped

Topping Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup chocolate ganache
• 3 whole peanut butter cups, for garnish
• 2 tbsp peanut butter, melted
• 1 pinch sea salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners, ensuring even spacing for consistent baking.
2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl to eliminate any lumps and create a smooth dry mixture.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk granulated sugar, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and fully integrated.
4. Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until a uniform chocolate batter forms without overmixing.
5. Create the peanut butter filling by blending creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and softened unsalted butter until a creamy, spreadable consistency develops.
6. Fold chopped peanut butter cups into the peanut butter filling, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Fill each cupcake liner halfway with chocolate batter, then carefully spoon a dollop of peanut butter filling into the center of each.
8. Cover the peanut butter filling with remaining chocolate batter, ensuring the filling is completely sealed within the cupcake.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the edge comes out clean, indicating proper doneness.
10. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before preparing the final touches.
11. Prepare chocolate ganache and warm the additional peanut butter for drizzling.
12. Drizzle chocolate ganache and melted peanut butter over the cooled cupcakes, creating an artistic swirl pattern.
13. Garnish each cupcake with a whole peanut butter cup and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt for a gourmet finishing touch.

Notes

• Prevent dry cupcakes by avoiding overmixing the batter, which can develop gluten and create a tough texture.
• Ensure even baking by rotating the muffin tin halfway through the cooking time to promote uniform heat distribution.
• Refrigerate the peanut butter filling for 15 minutes before using to make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg