This Simple Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes is anything but boring. Loaded with peanut butter chips, and topped off with white chocolate frosting, these are sinfully delicious.
These aren’t just any cupcakes; they’re made with Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips and topped with a dreamy White Chocolate Frosting. These additions pair perfectly with my Simple Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes.
My Dad is a HUGE fan of peanut butter or anything chocolate! So I decided to make him something he would like, and oh man! He loved them!!!
Imagine biting into moist, fluffy chocolate cupcakes with a surprise peanut butter twist inside. There isn’t much that sounds better to me.
Making these cupcakes is a fun activity that you can do on your own, with friends, or even with kids.
They’re perfect for birthday parties, a cozy weekend treat, or anytime you’re craving something sweet and chocolaty.
The best part is that you don’t need to be a pro baker to whip up these homemade chocolate cupcakes.
Let’s dive into why this simple recipe for chocolate cupcakes is going to be your new go-to for all occasions!
Some of our other favorite chocolate and peanut butter recipes we have on our site include: No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars with Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate Instant Pudding Pie (No Bake), and Best Brownie Cake (Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Filling).
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen or just a quick trip to the grocery store away.
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, you’ll have delicious cupcakes in no time, making this the best easy chocolate cupcakes recipe.
- Deliciously Moist: Thanks to the moist chocolate cupcakes base and creamy frosting, each bite is a delight.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Peanut butter chips
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Milk
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Cocoa Powder
- Granulated
- White chocolate chips
- Icing sugar
- Heavy whipping cream
HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder.
- Cream the butter on medium speed with an electric hand mixer until it’s very soft and creamy and add the eggs one at a time.
- Add the flour mixture to the batter in 3 batches, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Stir in the milk until well combined.
- Fold in the peanut butter chips.
- Divide the batter evenly between the liners and cook for about 17-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, cream the butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until mixed in.
- Stir in the milk and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the melted white chocolate and mix it in, turn the mixer on medium-high and whip for 3 minutes.
- Frost your cupcakes and add more peanut butter chips for garnish.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT KIND OF CANDY CHIP?
Yes! If peanut butter isn’t your thing, feel free to swap out Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips with your favorite kind of candy chip, like milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT KIND OF FROSTING?
Absolutely! While the white chocolate frosting pairs wonderfully, you can easily substitute it with vanilla buttercream, chocolate buttercream frosting, or even a cream cheese frosting to suit your taste.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Pick whatever you think will be a crowd favorite. Or go crazy. You decide, haha!
- Sprinkles for a pop of color
- A drizzle of melted chocolate for extra chocolaty goodness
- Crushed peanuts for a crunchy texture
- Espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor
- Vanilla extract for a hint of vanilla
- A sprinkle of sea salt on the frosting for a sweet-salty twist
- Swirls of caramel for a decadent finish
- Fresh berries for a tart contrast
- Mini Reese’s cups as a topping for peanut butter lovers
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
There are some good ideas here! Let me know in the comments how it goes.
- Whole milk instead of regular milk for a richer texture
- Olive oil or canola oil in place of melted butter for a lighter crumb
- Hot coffee instead of hot water to intensify the chocolate flavor
- Cake flour for a tender crumb
- Dark chocolate chips for a deeper chocolate flavor
HOW TO STORE:
Room Temp: Keep frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Frosted or Unfrosted cupcakes can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost (if needed) before serving.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use a piping bag to create professional-looking frosted tops.
- Make sure all your ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for the best results.
- Fill cupcake liners about ¾ full to avoid overflowing.
- Use a toothpick to check doneness – it should come out clean from the center of the cupcake.
- Let cupcakes cool on a wire rack before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For a fun twist, use a cupcake corer to add a dollop of extra peanut butter chips or chocolate ganache inside each cupcake.
This Simple Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes is a yummy treat that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just as a treat for yourself, these cupcakes are sure to be a hit.
With their moist texture, rich chocolate flavor, and creamy frosting, they’re everything you could want in a cupcake and more.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried this SIMPLE RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Simple Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 ounces unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ounces milk
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
Frosting
- 4 ounces unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup white chocolate chips melted and cooled slightly
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a cupcake tin with 12 cupcake liners.
- In a small bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder until combined.1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 4 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Cream the butter on medium speed with an electric hand mixer until it’s very soft and creamy and add the eggs one at a time.4 ounces unsalted butter, 2 large eggs
- Add the flour mixture to the batter in 3 batches, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Stir in the milk until well combined.3 ounces milk
- Fold in the peanut butter chips.1 cup peanut butter chips
- Divide the batter evenly between the liners and cook for about 17-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the Frosting:
- In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, cream the butter until smooth.4 ounces unsalted butter
- Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until mixed in.2 cups powdered sugar
- Stir in the heavy cream and scrape down the sides as needed.2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Add the melted white chocolate and mix it in, turn the mixer on medium-high and whip for 3 minutes.1 cup white chocolate chips
- Frost your cupcakes and add more peanut butter chips for garnish.
Notes
- Use a piping bag to create professional-looking frosted tops.
- Make sure all your ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for the best results.
- Fill cupcake liners about ¾ full to avoid overflowing.
- Use a toothpick to check doneness – it should come out clean from the center of the cupcake.
- Let cupcakes cool on a wire rack before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For a fun twist, use a cupcake corer to add a dollop of extra peanut butter chips or chocolate ganache inside each cupcake.
Comments & Reviews
Jenn says
These are my new favorite cupcakes! So fluffy and full of chocolate peanut butter flavor! SWOON!
amanda livesay says
Oh my gosh, these are fabulous! I love peanut butter and white chocolate together!