Dreamy Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Recipe: Gooey Magic

Decadent chocolate cupcakes hide a molten peanut butter cup center that promises pure indulgence.

Rich, velvety chocolate batter envelops creamy peanut butter in a surprising twist.

These cupcakes deliver a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that will make dessert lovers swoon.

Each bite reveals a luscious, gooey filling that melts perfectly on the tongue.

The combination of deep chocolate and smooth peanut butter creates a heavenly match made in dessert paradise.

Delicate yet intense, these cupcakes are guaranteed to impress at any gathering.

Prepare to elevate your baking game with this irresistible treat that transforms an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary experience.

Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes: Gooey and Indulgent Perfection

• Dive into a decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter in every single bite.
• Whip up these show-stopping cupcakes with minimal prep and simple ingredients that most bakers already have in their pantry.
• Impress friends and family with a dessert that looks professionally made but requires zero advanced baking skills.
• Experience a molten chocolate center that oozes out with each forkful, creating an irresistible sensory experience that will make everyone at the table swoon.

Ingredients for Gooey Lava Cupcakes

• Butter: A rich and creamy base that provides moisture and helps blend the ingredients smoothly.
• Sugars: These sweet ingredients add depth of flavor and help create a tender cupcake texture.
• Eggs: They bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cupcake's structure.
• Peanut Butter: A creamy ingredient that adds a nutty flavor and rich consistency to the cupcakes.
• Peanut Butter Cups: These chocolatey candies create pockets of gooey filling and add delightful flavor contrast.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure to the cupcakes.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cupcake base.
• Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cupcakes rise and become light.
• Salt: A small but essential ingredient that enhances the overall flavor of the cupcakes.

• Muffin Liners, Muffin Tray: Baking tools used to shape and contain the cupcake batter during baking.

Cupcake Tools for Molten Centers

• Muffin Tray: Essential for baking cupcakes, lined with paper cups for easy removal.
• Medium Mixing Bowls: One for wet ingredients, another for dry ingredients to keep mixing organized.
• Whisk or Electric Mixer: Perfect for blending butter, sugars, eggs, and peanut butter smoothly.
• Spatula: Great for folding in chopped peanut butter cups and scraping batter into cups.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cupcakes cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping mini peanut butter cups.

How to Create Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Tray

Get your oven warming up to a cozy 350F (175C).

Line a muffin tray with cute paper cups that will hold your delicious cupcake creations.

Step 2: Create Butter And Sugar Base

In a medium mixing bowl, gently melt the butter and then whisk in both sugars until they become a smooth, creamy mixture that looks irresistible.

Step 3: Introduce Eggs And Peanut Butter

Crack the eggs into the buttery sugar blend and add peanut butter.

Stir everything together until the mixture transforms into a silky, glossy texture that promises deliciousness.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these together until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 5: Marry Wet And Dry Mixtures

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Stir gently, mixing just enough to combine without overworking the batter.

Step 6: Add Peanut Butter Cup Surprises

Chop the mini peanut butter cups into delightful chunks.

Fold these sweet morsels into the batter, distributing them evenly.

Step 7: Fill Muffin Cups

Spoon the batter into the prepared cups.

Drop an extra whole peanut butter cup in the center of each, creating a hidden treasure.

Step 8: Bake To Gooey Perfection

Slide the tray into the preheated oven.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges look set but the centers remain wonderfully molten.

Step 9: Cool And Serve

Let the cupcakes rest in the pan for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

The lava-like centers will be waiting to surprise and delight!

Tricks for the Best Lava Cupcakes Ever

• Stir the batter just until ingredients are combined to keep cupcakes tender and avoid a tough texture.
• Use dark cocoa powder for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor that complements the peanut butter.
• Look for firm edges but slightly jiggly centers to ensure that gooey, lava-like consistency in each cupcake.
• Push a whole peanut butter cup gently into the center of each cupcake for a molten chocolate-peanut butter surprise.
• Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their soft, decadent texture.

Lava Cupcake Flavor Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains rich, decadent flavor.
• Vegan Chocolate Lava Cups: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use dairy-free butter alternatives, and swap regular peanut butter cups with vegan chocolate peanut butter cups.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar, and incorporate sugar-free dark chocolate chips for reduced calorie content.
• Protein-Packed Chocolate Lava Cupcakes: Add protein powder to the dry ingredients and use Greek yogurt to increase protein content while keeping the gooey texture intact.

Fun Ways to Serve Gooey Cupcakes

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Indulgence: Serve these warm cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic pairing that melts together beautifully.
• Decadent Dessert Complement: Dust the cupcakes with powdered sugar and drizzle melted chocolate on top for an elegant and Instagram-worthy presentation.
• Nutty Beverage Pairing: Enjoy these cupcakes alongside a cold glass of milk or a rich espresso to balance the sweet and intense flavors.
• Playful Party Platter: Arrange the cupcakes on a decorative platter with extra chopped peanut butter cups scattered around for a fun, festive touch that invites guests to dig in.

Keeping Lava Cupcakes Moist and Fresh

• Store cooled cupcakes in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Keep covered at room temperature for 1-2 days maximum, ensuring they're in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight.
• Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes until heated through, restoring their gooey center.

FAQs

• How do I get the perfect lava effect in my cupcakes?

Place an extra whole peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake before baking. The cup will melt during baking, creating a gooey molten center that flows when you bite into the cupcake.

• Can I use regular-sized peanut butter cups instead of mini ones?

Yes, but chop them into smaller pieces to distribute evenly throughout the batter. Whole large cups might disrupt the cupcake’s texture and baking process.

• What makes the cupcake batter so moist?

The combination of butter, peanut butter, and eggs creates a rich, smooth base that ensures a soft and tender cupcake texture. The cocoa powder also helps maintain moisture during baking.

Peanut Butter Cup Lava Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Chocolate cupcakes with a molten peanut butter cup center combine rich flavors from American dessert traditions. Chocolate and peanut butter lovers will savor these indulgent treats that melt in your mouth with intense sweetness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cupcake Base:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 g) creamy peanut butter

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Garnish and Mix-ins:

• 1/2 cup (80 g) mini peanut butter cups, chopped
• Extra peanut butter cups for topping

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Instructions

1. Calibrate the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange paper liners inside the muffin tray.
2. Melt butter in a substantial mixing vessel, then thoroughly integrate both sugar varieties until uniformly blended.
3. Introduce eggs and peanut butter, whisking until the mixture achieves a velvety, homogeneous consistency.
4. Separately sift together flour, cocoa powder, leavening agent, and seasoning in a distinct receptacle.
5. Gradually merge dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the batter.
6. Delicately incorporate chopped miniature peanut butter cups throughout the developing mixture.
7. Distribute batter evenly into prepared liners, strategically positioning an additional whole peanut butter cup at the center of each cupcake.
8. Transfer to preheated oven and bake approximately 12-15 minutes, ensuring outer edges solidify while maintaining a molten interior.
9. Allow cupcakes to rest within the pan for 5 minutes, then transition to a wire cooling grid to complete temperature stabilization.

Notes

• Customize the sweetness by adjusting sugar levels to suit personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
• Swap traditional peanut butter cups with dairy-free or vegan alternatives for those with specific dietary restrictions.
• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and more consistent baking results.
• Avoid overmixing batter to maintain a tender, light cupcake texture and prevent tough, dense cakes.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 322
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 134 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg