Irresistible PB & J Cupcakes

by Sophie & Abby Bourg
(Northridge, Los Angeles, CA)

PB & J Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes - makes approximately 12 cupcakes

-160g of self raising flour
-2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon of salt
-125g of peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
-115g of butter
-140g of brown sugar
-2 large eggs
-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
-60ml of non fat milk
-125g of Greek style natural yoghurt
-12 teaspoons (number subject to number of cupcakes) of Strawberry or raspberry jelly

For the buttercream:

-1/2 cup of unsalted butter
-2 cups of powdered sugar
-1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
-1 1/2 tablespoons of milk
-25g of smooth peanut butter (crunchy won’t work as it will clog the piping tip)
-3 tablespoons of strawberry jelly
-2 pinches of salt
-6 strawberries sliced in half

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C or 350°F. Line a baking tray with cupcake cases.

In a bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, cream the peanut butter, butter and brown sugar until achieve a light and fluffy consistency. Beat in the eggs one at a time,then add the vanilla.

Now gradually beat in the flour mixture a little at a time.

Mix in the milk and the Greek yogurt.

Spoon half of the batter into the cupcake cases. Put about a teaspoon of jelly on top then cover with more batter until it’s just below the rim.

Bake in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Check it is fully by poking the middle with a toothpick to ensure mixture is fully cooked.

Buttercream:

1.Cream the butter and then sift in the powdered sugar. Beat for around 10 minutes for light and fluffy buttercream.

2.Pour half of the buttercream into a separate bowl. Add the smooth peanut butter to one half and jelly to the other.

3.Put the buttercream’s into separate piping bags. Roll out a piece of plastic wrap about 12 inches in length. Pipe out three lines of each flavor onto the plastic wrap, changing flavor for each line doing another layer on top. Wrap up the plastic wrap carefully. Cut of one end then put in a separate piping bag with a nozzle of your choice.

4.Pipe onto the cooled cupcakes.

5.Add a strawberry on top.

6.Now sitback and enjoy your delicious PB & J cupcake!!