Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

You know you want one.  I found this recipe over at Brown Eyed Baker.

For the cupcakes, you will need:

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon table salt
½ cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 350.  Line a standard muffin pan with 12 liners.  You'll get 12 cupcakes. 

Over a double-boiler, heat the butter, chocolate, and cocoa.  Make sure the water is just barely simmering in the pot so the chocolate doesn't seize.  Slowly melt it untl it comes smooth.  You could microwave it, but it's more work than just using a double-boiler.  Once it's melted, set it aside to cool.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a small bowl.  In another larger mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until fluffy.  Then add in the sugar, vanilla, and salt until fully incorporated.  Add the cooled chocolate mixture and whisk to combine.  Sift about 1/3 of the flour mixture over the wet ingredients.  Stir to combine, then add in the sour cream followed by the rest of the flour mixture [again, sifted].  Be sure to gently stir this at each stage so as to not make the cupcakes tough.  We want little pillows of rich chocolate desire here, kids.  Then just bake for 18-20 minutes or until your cake tester/toothpick comes out clean.  Let them cool on a wire rack completely before frosting.

For the frosting, you will need:
1 cup 10X [powdered] sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5 tablespoons of butter at room temp [unsalted, please]
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup heavy cream

Mix all of the ingredients together at once, minus the heavy cream.  When everything is smooth and dreamy, add in the cream.  Mix on high until it is light and smooth.

 

These will surely win friends and influence enemies.  Or "frenemies".  "Frienemies"?  I learned that word recently and was waiting to insert it into a conversation.  I don't know how to spell it, but I know I have one or two of them.  If they were here, I'd at least think about making these cupcakes for them. 

Either way, eat one of these with a friend. 

Or your lover, which is what I did because we gave the rest of them to college students.