Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn

After an almost 1 month (oh my!) hiatus, I'm finally on to the third popcorn in my buffet. This was another sweet popcorn - very sweet, and used one of my favorite flavor combinations - peanut butter with chocolate! Yum! Personally, I think it's better than a peanut butter cup!

I recently had a wonderful, relaxing vacation (where I learned how to make some amazing, refreshing drinks - I'll try to share them this summer when it warms up here!) As I'm now refreshed & rejuvenated, I'm hoping to get back to more consistent blogging. I miss all of my baking! (And the nurses are asking what I plan on baking next - I think it's a hint!)



CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN (Adapted from One Ordinary Day)

10-12 cups popped popcorn
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup white sugar
1 cup peanut butter (I used creamy)
2 pinches of salt

chocolate chips for drizzling

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Stir corn syrup and sugar together in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Be careful - this is hot! Pour mixture over popcorn and stir to coat. Pour popcorn onto baking sheet and bake in oven for 10-15 minutes. Spoon popcorn onto wire rack covered with waxed paper or parchment paper. Allow to cool completely. Melt chocolate chips in microwave, being careful not to scorch. Drizzle over popcorn and allow to set. Break popcorn into pieces. Store in airtight container.

ENJOY!

Fluffernutter Cupcakes

So, I have to admit, I've never had a Fluffernutter sandwich. (Peanut butter on one slice, Marshmallow Fluff on the other slice) Maybe it's because I grew up in the midwest (The sandwich seems to be a New England favorite - probably because Marshmallow Fluff is made in Lynn, Massachusetts). However, these cupcakes sounded delicious to this peanut butter loving gal. And they definitely were!



FLUFFERNUTTER CUPCAKES

Peanut Butter Cupcakes (From Cupcake Rehab)

2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners, or grease and flour cups.

In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter alternately with the milk.

Mix in the peanut butter chips until completely combined. Spoon into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top of the cupcakes spring back when lightly pressed. Cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.



Marshmallow Butter Cream

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup flour
16oz container Marshmallow Fluff

Beat butter & 1 cup of the sugar until light. Add 1/2 of the fluff, and beat until combined. Add the other 1/2 of the fluff, again mixing until combined. Beat in flour, and an additional 1-2 cups of the sugar until it is the sweetness & consistency you prefer.

ENJOY!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Who doesn't love the chocolate/peanut butter combo? I know that my husband & I both do, along with everyone who helped me eat the cupcakes. From the outside they look delicious, but little do you know when you take your first bite, that they are filled with a peanut butter goodness, kind of like a peanut butter cup. I would highly recommend making these for any PB cup lovers you may know!



CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES (Adaped from Proceed With Caution)
Makes 24 cupcakes

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING:

1 cup confectioners' sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ tsp. vanilla extract

Combine the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (at least 24) and set aside on a baking sheet.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES:

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
2 large eggs

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners.

Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; whisk together and set aside. In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the sour cream, milk and vanilla extract. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until incorporated.

Spoon a tablespoon or two of batter into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Place a ball of the peanut butter filling in each cupcake well and top with the remaining batter so that all the cups are filled. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.



PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING:

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
4 tbsp. butter, room temperature
½ cup creamy peanut butter (used closer to ¾ cup – adjusted to taste)
3¼ cups confectioners' sugar (used just under 4 cups)
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter and peanut butter until smooth. Slowly mix in the confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth and well blended. Mix in the whipped topping until smooth and fluffy. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.



ENJOY!