Thursday, May 6, 2010

Reeses Cupcakes



I work in an office with 11 men who don't really care too much about birthdays. They could not be more different from me because I just love birthdays. Yours, mine, anyone's birthday is reason to celebrate! I love when people feel really special on their day, and I try to make it happen. The past year at work, I've been making cupcakes for everyone on their birthday, allowing them to choose what kind they want. For my final co-worker, he simply stated nothing fruity, make whatever I want.
It just so happened that Reeses were buy one get one free at Publix when I was going to make his cupcakes, so I decided to make Reeses cupcakes. I simply used my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe (Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake) and then made a simple buttercream, subbing half the butter for peanut butter. These cupcakes had such great flavor, and everyone absolutely loved them.
Now that we've celebrated everyone's birthday with cupcakes at work, I might have to move on to having them choose a type of cookie....


Reeses Cupcakes

Cake:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water


Heat oven to 350°F. 
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer for 2 minutes.
Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). 
Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups.
Fill cups 2/3 full with batter.
Bake 22 to 25 minutes.
Remove, cool for 10 minutes, transfer to cooling racks and cool to room temperature.

Peanut Butter Buttercream:
1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 lbs. powdered sugar, more or less
Milk to thin, if necessary

Cream together butter, peanut butter, vanilla and salt.
Gradually add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating well between additions.
If icing gets too thick, add milk to thin.
*This will depend on the temperature, humidity, etc. Just continue to add or don't add as much when icing gets to desired consistency.

9 comments:

VegeCooking Club said...

Gorgeous! And my favorite flavors. Peanut butter and chocolate.

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I have a REESE here who of course thinks that everything with her name is hers. She would love these!!

Kelly said...

Adorable. I love how you are infusing your adoration of birthdays into the culture.

Rhyannon Y said...

Those look delicious.
My stomach is growling just looking at them.
I may have to make them this weekend. Or tonight.

Kat said...

OMG! These look amazing! YUM!

Joanne said...

I make cupcakes for everyone in my MD/PhD class on their birthday (and sometimes when I just feel like baking but don't want 20 cupcakes in my house...). Or cookie bars. Or brownies. We mix it up.

Reese's are my FAVORITE candy and so I know I would totally adore these!

Lisa said...

I can personally attest to Ash's love of birthdays. When we were in high school she would decorate my locker on my special day with signs and balloons and give me a goody bag. (Ash, I still have the signs you made!) She knows how to make a birthday awesome!

Christina said...

Those look SO GOOD!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I wish I worked with you.

That is one classy cupcake.