Think if a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a Pancake had a baby you'd get this. Chocolatey fluffy cake topped with chocolate peanut butter maple frosting. Pretty much the best frosting, or cupcake experience of you life....and I'm not exaggerating.
To me, what makes a cake, or a cupcake, is THE FROSTING. I am 100% about having the best possible frosting. Frosting is also fun t mix up! Buttercream is pretty bomb, but its also vanilla- and we all need a little chocolate in our life. and peanut butter. and maple for goodness sakes! Try this delicious chocolate Peanut butter frosting with these Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes they will pair perfectly.
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER MAPLE FROSTING
When making frosting you always want to have :
- ROOM TEMP BUTTER- If it is too cold you'll have clumps, if it's too warm your frosting will be on the runny, less fluffy side. ROOM TEMP BUTTER.
- QUALITY POWDER SUGAR- I have bought generic brand powder sugar that left my frosting gritty, ever since then I can't bring myself to buy a brand I don't trust. This special sugar also helps make frosting nice and fluffy!
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR CHOCOLATE PB MAPLE FROSTING
- BUTTER
- SUGAR
- CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
- MAPLE EXTRACT
- COCOA POWDER
- HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM
PERFECT FLUFFY FROSTING STEPS:
STEP 1. Take your room temperature butter and beat it for about 30-60 seconds on med-high speed until it is nice and fluffy. You will need to use a hand mixer or stand mixer to make frosting.
Step 2: Turn mixer down to medium speed and add in vanilla maple and salt.
Step 3. Add in your peanut butter and beat on med-high for another 30 seconds so they are creamed together and fluffy.
Step 4. While beaters are on med speed slowly add cocoa powder, powder sugar and cream. Alternating cream with powder.
Step 5. Let beat on high for about 30-60 seconds until the frosting has reached your desired consistency. You want it smooth and fluffy.
HOW DO I PIPE FROSTING ON CUPCAKES?
I don't always pipe frosting on the cupcakes, but do kind of love it. I also love how fast and easy it makes frosting cupcakes. I take a few short cuts- let me show you how.
PRO-TIP 1: If you are doing a simple design and use a gallon size bag! then you don't have to wash out the frosting after. You can throw it away! (always buy better quality- name brand- for these. Cheaper gallon sized zipper bags tend to tear up the sides easily)
PRO-TIP 2: Use a Cup to load up you frosting bag! I cut a corner out of my ziplock and add the tip. Then fold the sides over a tall cup- as pictured below.
PRO-TIP 3: Using a firm grip, twist the top of the bag (so frosting won't squeeze out the end!) and apply even pressure in circular motions around the edge of the cupcake working inward. (These cupcakes I used a large open star tip)
TOPPINGS FOR THESE CUPCAKES
Of course you can use sprinkles! Are those ever out? But also try
- chocolate shavings
- mini chocolate chips
- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
- and of course, we all know crumbled BACON goes amazing with maple flavor!
WHAT CUPCAKE RECIPE DO YOU USE?
The best, moist and delicious chocolate cupcake recipe that i love is this No-Fail Chocolate Cupcake Recipe. And while you can use any flavor of cake as the base I strongly recommend using chocolate cake/cupcake as the base. I mean, peanut butter and chocolate are totally MFEO.
Tell me about it!
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Peanut Butter Maple Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ c salted butter room temperature (or use unsalted and add more salt)
- ½ c creamy peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon maple extract
- ½ Tablespoon coarse salt
- 4 c powdered sugar *for gluten-free, check that it is GF and not made with wheat starch
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ c heavy cream
Instructions
- Cream butter in mixer until light and fluffy.
- Mix in peanut butter.
- Add vanilla and maple extract, salt, and powdered sugar.
- Add cream, starting with ⅓ c, increase up to ½ c to achieve desired consistency.
- Frosts 2 dozen cupcakes
Notes
HOW DO I PIPE FROSTING ON CUPCAKES?
I don't always pipe frosting on the cupcakes, but do kind of love it. I also love how fast and easy it makes frosting cupcakes. I take a few short cuts- let me show you how. PRO-TIP 1: If you are doing a simple design and use a gallon size bag! then you don't have to wash out the frosting after. You can throw it away! (always buy better quality- name brand- for these. Cheaper gallon sized zipper bags tend to tear up the sides easily) PRO-TIP 2: Use a Cup to load up you frosting bag! I cut a corner out of my ziplock and add the tip. Then fold the sides over a tall cup- as pictured below.
PRO-TIP 3: Using a firm grip, twist the top of the bag (so frosting won't squeeze out the end!) and apply even pressure in circular motions around the edge of the cupcake working inward.
TOPPINGS FOR THESE CUPCAKES
Of course you can use sprinkles! Are those ever out? But also try
- chocolate shavings
- mini chocolate chips
- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
- and of course, we all know crumbled BACON goes amazing with maple flavor!
Mel says
LOOOVE this recipe! it is the perfect combination of chocolate, peanut butter and a touch of maple. Surprisingly it is not a heavy or overly rich frosting and the best smooth texture! Paired these with the chocolate cupcake and recommended and they were gone in a flash.
Desarae says
HUGE COMPLIMENT! Thank you Mel!
Janae says
Made these tonight for a get together with friends and they were a hit! Everyone LOVED them!