While I love making fancy cupcakes like Irish Car Bombs and Mint Juleps, a simple cupcake with classic flavors can be just as great. The key to making a simple cupcake that people rave about all comes down to two things: an amazing recipe and great presentation. Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcakes are one of my favorite types of cupcakes because they have broad appeal and are very easy to make.

I start out with my favorite Devil’s Food Cake recipe from Nick Malgieri. I first learned how to make it at a baking class I took from him at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC a few years ago and it’s been my go to chocolate cake recipe ever since. It uses oil instead of butter which keeps the cake moist and unsweetened chocolate to really give it a deep chocolate flavor. The recipe will make approximately 24 regular sized cupcakes, you just adjust the baking time to 15 to 20 minutes. If you prefer mini cupcakes, it will make about 72 and the baking time is only 8 to 12 minutes. For the frosting, I turn to my favorite baking blogger, Brown Eyed Baker. Her peanut butter frosting is very easy to make and even more delicious.

When making full size cupcakes, I use a 1M Wilton decorating tip to frost them in order to get a great swirl. Then, I like to top off the cupcake with a bite sized Resse’s Peanut Butter Cup. Not only does the peanut butter cup look great, it also highlights the flavors you’ll find in the cupcake which is something I look for in any edible garnish. If you are making mini cupcakes, use the same 1M tip to make a star on the top of each one for a great clean look!

We hope you love these cupcakes as much as we do! What other classic cupcake flavors do you like to make?