Chocolate Cupcakes on a Friday Night

      So I decided to make cupcakes for my cousin while she was out of town, but I didn't want the usual "vanilla" or "chocolate" icing. It just didn't seem appetizing! I started to think of what I could do, and then it hit me that peanut butter and chocolate is pretty much the best combination. While I got busy looking at different recipes to make for peanut butter frosting I looked over at an Oreo container and thought...Oreo frosting...mmm. So I decided to try that as well. I think they both came out wonderfully, and one day I would love to have both in my bakery. :) 

For the Oreo icing I just made regular vanilla frosting then smashed up Oreos in my food processor and mixed it in with the vanilla until it was light and fluffy. Yum. For the peanut butter I also used the regular vanilla frosting recipe and added peanut butter. I think it was a successful day of baking. 

Recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes:
Makes about 20-24 cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups of flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup milk 

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F. Line your cupcake tin with paper or foil liners. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, salt & sugar. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl mix butter, eggs, vanilla. Then add your flour mix alternately with the milk and beat well. Fill the muffin cups about 1/2 full.

3. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.


Recipe for Peanut Butter Frosting:

Frosts about 16 Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp. milk, or as needed
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
Place the butter and peanut butter into a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer. Gradually mix in the sugar, when it starts to get thick add milk one tablespoon at a time until all the sugar is mixed in and the frosting is spreadable. Beat it for about 2-4 minutes so it can become more fluffy.

Recipe for Oreo Frosting:

Frosts about 16 Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 3tbsp. milk, or as needed
• About 6 Oreos

Directions:

Blend the butter and sugar together, stir in the vanilla and milk and beat until it is nice and fluffy. Crush Oreos (I found putting it in the food processor was easiest because you want the crumbs very small) and add to frosting mixture then beat.

There you have it! Enjoy! :)