If you love brownies and peanut butter, then these Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes are going to be your new favorite treat! They are rich, chocolaty, and filled with creamy peanut butter goodness. Each cupcake is heartily topped with a delightful peanut butter frosting and garnished with pieces of Reese’s cups for an extra special touch. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or just a personal treat, these cupcakes are sure to impress anyone who takes a bite.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes combines two beloved desserts into one wonderful creation. Who can resist the combination of fudgy brownies, creamy peanut butter, and the iconic Reese’s peanut butter cups? This recipe is simple enough for beginners yet yields impressive results that even experienced bakers will adore. Plus, they can be made for any occasion, making them a versatile option for birthdays, holidays, or simply a satisfying evening snack!
How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes
Creating these dreamy cupcakes is quite easy. Just follow the simple steps outlined below, and you’ll have a batch of delicious treats ready in no time!
Ingredients:
- 1 box fudgy brownie mix (18.4 oz, plus eggs, oil, and water called for on box)
- 12–15 pieces full-size Reese’s peanut butter cups, frozen
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While your oven is heating, line a standard cupcake tin with 12–15 cupcake liners.
Freeze the Reese’s Cups: Place your Reese’s peanut butter cups in the freezer while you prepare the brownie batter. This step helps maintain their shape and prevents them from melting too much during baking.
Prepare the Brownie Mix: Follow the package instructions for the fudgy brownie mix. Mix it well until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
Fill the Cupcake Liners: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of brownie batter into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Then, take the frozen Reese’s cup and place it on top of the batter. Cover the Reese’s cup with additional brownie batter until the liner is about ¾ full.
Bake the Cupcakes: Place the cupcake tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look just slightly soft. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let the cupcakes cool completely in the tin.
Make the Frosting: While the cupcakes are cooling, you can prepare the peanut butter frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until the mixture is smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), and vanilla extract. Whip on high for about 2–3 minutes, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, use a piping bag or a simple spatula to spread or pipe the peanut butter frosting onto each cupcake.
Garnish (Optional): For the finishing touch, sprinkle chopped Reese’s cups, mini chocolate chips, or add a drizzle of chocolate on top of the frosted cupcakes if desired.
How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes
These delightful cupcakes are best served fresh but can also be stored for later. You can serve them on a pretty cake stand for an inviting presentation. Pair them with a glass of cold milk for the ultimate treat experience. Perfect for birthday parties, family gatherings, or a coffee date with friends, serve them at room temperature for the best flavor.
How to Store Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes
To store these cupcakes, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the un-frosted cupcakes for up to 3 months. Just ensure they are placed in an airtight container or properly wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Thaw them at room temperature before frosting.
Tips to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes
- Don’t Overmix the Brownie Batter: It’s important to combine the ingredients until just mixed to keep the brownies fudgy and moist.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make your frosting easier and smoother by ensuring your butter and peanut butter are at room temperature before mixing.
- Chill the Reese’s Cups: Freezing the Reese’s cups before adding them to the batter helps them retain their shape and adds an exciting surprise when biting into the cupcake.
- Customize the Frosting: Feel free to adjust the frosting’s sweetness by adding more or less powdered sugar, depending on your taste preferences.
Variation
There are a few ways you can mix things up with this recipe:
- Chocolate Brownie Base: Use a chocolate brownie mix for an extra chocolatey experience.
- Nutty Toppings: Instead of Reese’s, you could chop up other chocolate-based candy bars or even add crushed nuts for a different crunch.
- Different Frosting: For a twist, try using cream cheese frosting instead of peanut butter frosting. It adds a lovely tangy flavor that goes well with chocolate.
- Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top of the frosting for a sweet and salty flavor that balances the sweetness perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use homemade brownie batter?
Yes, you can absolutely use your own homemade brownie recipe instead of a boxed mix. Just prepare your recipe accordingly and follow the rest of the steps as usual.
Can I bake these cupcakes in advance?
Yes! You can bake the cupcakes in advance and store them in the refrigerator for a few days. Just wait to frost them until you are ready to serve for the best texture.
Can I make mini cupcakes instead?
Absolutely! You can use a mini cupcake tin and adjust the baking time to about 12-15 minutes, depending on your oven. Just keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
Indulge in these Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes today; they will surely delight the taste buds and leave everyone wanting more! Enjoy your baking!
Print
Reese’s Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in fudgy brownie cupcakes filled with creamy peanut butter and topped with delightful frosting.
Ingredients
- 1 box fudgy brownie mix (18.4 oz, plus eggs, oil, and water called for on box)
- 12–15 pieces full-size Reese’s peanut butter cups, frozen
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard cupcake tin with 12–15 cupcake liners.
- Freeze the Reese’s peanut butter cups to maintain their shape during baking.
- Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions until smooth.
- Fill each cupcake liner with 1 tablespoon of brownie batter, place a frozen Reese’s cup on top, and cover with more batter until ¾ full.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the edges are set. Cool completely in the tin.
- Make the frosting by beating together softened butter and peanut butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes with the peanut butter frosting.
- Garnish with chopped Reese’s cups or chocolate chips if desired.
Notes
Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or freeze un-frosted cupcakes for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 25mg