These Reese’s Pieces cupcakes are a peanut lover’s dream! With a peanut butter cupcake and peanut butter frosting, and a fun surprise in the middle. Anyone who loves Reese’s Pieces candies are going to go nuts for these cupcakes.
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If you and me ever get the chance to go to the movies together you will notice right away that I have to have a box of Reese’s Pieces candies for the movie.
There is no exception to this. I don’t care if I buy them at the theater or smuggle them in (not that I would ever do such a thing).
Ok I totally do that. Please don’t judge me.
I know some people might be Sno Caps people. Or Twizzlers (hey Mom, are you reading this? I will never understand the need for the bag of Twizzlers). But me? Reese’s Pieces everytime.
Probably why they have found their way into a few desserts on this blog like these no bake peanut butter bars, or pretzel blondies, or these peanut butter blondies. I just can’t help myself. I love ME some Reese’s Pieces.
So when I was thinking of new cupcake ideas is it any wonder that my brain went to these fun Reese’s Pieces cupcakes? I mean peanut butter cupcake. Peanut Butter frosting. And because I can…Reese’s Pieces in the middle.
Yes I went there.
To Make These Reese’s Pieces Cupcakes:
For these peanut butter cupcakes, I started with my perfect vanilla cupcakes but you could also my super easy Vanilla Cupcake Recipe and added in a 1/2 cup of peanut butter. I’ve made these peanut butter cupcakes before to make a fluffernutter version and a peanut butter and jelly version. So why not a Reese’s Pieces pinata cupcake version?
These cupcakes call for cake flour. If you don’t have your own you can make your own with some cornstarch. You also will need some room temperature butter. If you’re like me you forget to take it out early. Me. Every. Time. Don’t worry I got you covered. Here are 3 easy ways to soften your butter quickly.
If you’re new to making cupcakes too, I got you covered on that too. I got three posts for you to read: 15 tips for baking cupcakes that will help you go from beginner to pro, 6 cupcake decorating supplies you need to decorate like a pro and 6 reasons why your cupcakes are sinking in the middle.
I decided to turn these into pinata cupcakes. Basically fill the cupcakes with more candy because I can’t get enough of Reees’s Pieces. Simply core your cupcake and fill with the candies.
Then time for the peanut butter buttercream. Swoon and grab a spoon. Now I topped these cupcakes with swiss meringue buttercream flavored with peanut butter. Swiss meringue buttercream is nothing to be intimidated by. But if it’s got you shaking in your boots, I have a step by step tutorial (with video!) to show you how to get it done. And if you need some help piping your cupcakes be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide For Decorating Cupcakes For Beginners
But if you’re feeling like you want to switch it up with the buttercream- feel free to top it with Italian, French, German buttercream, or Ermine (flour) icing ! Just don’t forget the peanut butter 😉
You could use my go to vanilla buttercream with powdered sugar if that’s more your style. And hey, you can also download my Buttercream Cheatsheet! With 13 ways to flavor your vanilla buttercream, you will be creating your own awesome flavors in no time.
So if you are a huge fan of Reese’s Pieces like myself, then you are going to definitely want to grab a piping bag and a box of candy and get to making these asap.
Maybe two boxes? So we can take one to the movies after…
For More Help In Making Cupcakes Check Out These Posts:
Cupcakes Sinking In The Middle
Ultimate Guide To Baking Cupcakes At Home
Ultimate Guide To Making The Best Buttercream Icing
Cupcakes 101: 10 Tips To Bake Perfect Cupcakes (Life As A Strawberry)
How To Bake Perfect Cupcakes (Handle The Heat)
10 Tips For Baking The BEST cupcakes (Sally’s Baking Addiction)
Craving more peanut butter, check out these desserts from fellow bloggers:
Peanut Butter Squares (Tastes of Lizzy T)
Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Tart (Life Love and Sugar)
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake (Taste and Tell)
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Fudge Parfaits (Half Baked Harvest)
4-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies (Gimme Some Oven)
To Make These Cupcakes You Will Need:
- Cupcake Pans (you want two!)
- Cooling Racks
- Piping/Pastry Bags
- Ateco French Star Tip
- Stand Mixer
- Dry Measuring Cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 16 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 5 large eggs room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- Reese's pieces candies for center of cupcakes
For the swiss meringue buttercream
- 9 egg whites
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 sticks unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line your cupcake pans with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
- Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and creamy in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for one more minute.
- Add the sugar to the butter mixture, ¼ cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Mix in the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Combine the buttermilk and the vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing just until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
- Divide the batter between the prepared paper liners, filling each about 2/3 of the way full (you will likely have batter left over after filling 24 wells.I managed to make a full 3 dozen cupcakes) Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. When cooled, cut the center out of your cupcake and fill with jam (I used grape).
- Combine egg whites and sugar in the heatproof bowl of a standing mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved (the mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingertips).
- Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy and glossy, and completely cool (test by touching the bottom of the bowl), about 10 minutes.
- With mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all butter has been added, whisk in vanilla. Switch to the paddle attachment, and continue beating on low speed until all air bubbles are eliminated, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl with a flexible spatula, and continue beating until the frosting is completely smooth. Add in the vanilla extract and peanut butter and stir to combine. Using a large open star piping tip, pipe the frosting on the cupcakes.
Notes
Nutrition
Asjia Rossetti says
Can you leave frosted cupcakes out on counter or should they be refrigerated
Heather says
Hi Asjia! Yes you can leave them out for up to 2 days (unless frosted with cream cheese frosting). Just make sure they are covered!