Peanut Butter Cupcakes
These homemade Peanut Butter Cupcakes are soft, moist, and rich in peanut butter flavor. Further, they’re made from scratch using cake flour for that tender bakery-style crumb. It’s a versatile base that pairs beautifully with a variety of frostings, such as chocolate, cream cheese, peanut butter, or even a classic vanilla buttercream.
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Made from scratch – no short-cuts here!
- Uses cake flour for a light and fluffy texture.
- Sweetened with brown sugar for a richer depth of flavor.
- A touch of applesauce and vegetable oil keeps them extra moist.
- Perfect with almost any frosting—you choose your favorite!
Making Peanut Butter Cupcakes
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line 2 muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners.
Next, mix your dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for now.
Then, in a large mixing bowl, beat together the brown sugar, peanut butter, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition to incorporate the egg into the batter.
To clarify, adding one egg at a time allows the fats and liquids to incorporate, whereas by adding the eggs all at once, you run the risk of a broken emulsion, which could result in a tough or dense texture. That is to say, just in case you were wondering.
Lastly, alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix just until combined. In other words, don’t overmix!
Time to Bake
Divide the batter evenly among your cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Then, bake for 15–17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Last step, cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Frosting Ideas for Peanut Butter Cupcakes
These cupcakes are a blank canvas for your favorite toppings! Here are some delicious frosting options:
- Chocolate Butter Frosting – a classic combo!
- Peanut Butter Frosting – double down on the peanut butter love.
- Cream Cheese Frosting – adds a tangy contrast to the sweet, nutty cupcake.
- Salted Caramel Frosting – for a decadent twist.
- Marshmallow Fluff Frosting – for a sweet topping.
- Any Flavor Pudding Frosting – such a banana, vanilla, or chocolate fudge.
Want to keep it simple? These cupcakes taste amazing even without frosting. You could, however, add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream!
Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Use creamy, no-stir peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for consistent results.
- Don’t overmix the batter—this keeps your cupcakes soft and tender.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to avoid melting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Can I Make These Cupcakes Ahead?
Yes! These cupcakes freeze beautifully. Bake and cool them, then store unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Then, thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving.
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Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cake flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (or light)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (room temperature)
- 3 Tbsp. applesauce
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 muffin pans with 24 liners.
- In medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In large bowl using electric beaters, beat together brown sugar, peanut butter, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla until mixed and smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until combined.
- On low speed, add in flour mixture alternating with buttermilk just until combined — do not over mix.
- Fill liners 2/3 full. Bake for 15 – 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean or with tiny crumbs. Cool on a wire rack completely before frosting. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Peanut Butter Cupcakes
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So go ahead—whip up a batch of these peanut butter beauties and share the love. Don’t forget to tag your creations on social media and leave a comment below with your favorite frosting choice!
In the meantime, I hope you have yourself a blessed day.
