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Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream | A Nerd Cooks
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4.75 from 4 votes

Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Peanut Butter Buttercream

These Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream are nothing short of delicious. This flavor combination is a classic for a reason.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Cupcakes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24 cupcakes
Calories: 1265kcal
Author: Lauren Pacek

Ingredients

For the chocolate cupcakes

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 16 tablespoon unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups buttermilk

For the salted peanut butter buttercream frosting 

  • 32 tablespoon unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups smooth peanut butter
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6-7 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoon heavy cream or milk

Instructions

To make the cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two muffin tin with liners. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt together. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugars together on medium speed for 3-4 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for a minute or so after adding each egg. Add the vanilla extract.
  • Lower the speed of the mixer to low, add half of the flour mixture, and beat until it is well-incorporated. Slowly stream in the buttermilk until it is all combined. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat until it is just combined. Finish stirring everything with a spatula, if necessary.
  • Fill the liners ⅔ of the way full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a knife/toothpick, when inserted into the center of the cupcake, comes out clean.
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove and place them on a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

To make the frosting

  • Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until it is softened (about 1 minute).
  • Add the peanut butter, salt, and vanilla extract and beat well.
  • Add 2 cups of the powdered sugar and beat on low until well combined.
  • Add another 2 cups of sugar along with 3 tbs of heavy cream/milk. Beat until combined.
  • Add the remaining 2-3 cups of sugar (depending on your desired consistency) and remaining cream/milk and beat until the frosting reaches the desired thickness.
  • Beat on medium speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
  • Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, frost them. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 1265kcal | Carbohydrates: 237g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 388mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 214g