Monday, January 24, 2011

Peanut Butter Cupcakes


Perusing my new Twitter account I noticed a comment that today, January 24th, is National Peanut Butter Day!  I have to admit I did not research any further to find truth to the statement, however, even a claim for National Peanut Butter Day is good enough for me.  We must celebrate!

With encouragement from Foodbuzz, Frigidaire and Jennifer Garner who are working together on Frigidaire's new Kid's Cooking Academy  to inspire families to cook together while making healthy choices, we decided to direct our National Peanut Butter Day Celebration in a kid friendly direction.  You can help too by visiting the Kid's Cooking Academy.  Each day you visit, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children.  In addition, with every Foodbuzz Featured Publisher post submitted for the cause, Foodbuzz and Frigidaire will donate an additional $50! 

While Peanut Butter Cupcakes are extraordinarily kid friendly they are also popular with any peanut butter loving adult, and have been joyfully served at Liv Life birthday parties in years past.  A simple recipe brings the opportunity for kids to participate in the creation of this low-fat treat provided by Cooking Light (See Liv's smile - about 2001!).  We took the liberty of adding a touch of spelt flour to the ingredients to bump up the nutritional value (slightly, but better than nothing!) and due to our lactose intolerant teenager, low fat organic soy milk has been substituted without any loss of flavor or texture.

Originally printed in Cooking Light Magazine in 2000, Liv has participated in whipping up these cupcakes since she was a tot.  Now she makes the entire batch by herself, but we are in agreement that the ever popular Buzz Lightyear cupcake liners are a must!





Peanut Butter Cupcakes
adapted from Cooking Light

Cupcakes:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter (we like crunchy!)
3 Tbs butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup spelt flour (may use all purpose)
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup low fat organic soy milk (may use milk)

Frosting:
1 Tbs butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbs creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup low fat organic soy milk (may use milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar 

Preheat oven to 350º.

To prepare cupcakes, beat first four ingredients together until well blended (brown sugar through vanilla), 4 - 5 minutes.  Add the egg and egg white, beating well to combine.  Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife.  Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl, whisking to combine.  Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture alternating with the 1/4 cup of milk (or soy milk), beginning and ending with the flour mixture.  Mix just until combined.

Spoon the batter into 10 -12 muffin cups lined with paper liners.  Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack, then remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

To prepare the frosting, add the butter, granulated sugar and peanut butter to a stand mixer (or use an electric mixer) and beat until sugar crystals have dissolved (about 4 - 5 minutes).  Add the vanilla and the milk and mix until combined.  Add the powdered sugar and beat until the frosting is smooth, adding a bit more if the frosting is too thin.  If the frosting is too thick you may add a teaspoon or two of milk to thin.  Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes, and celebrate!!

Happy National Peanut Butter Day!!


57 comments:

  1. They sound wonderful and look so light and fluffy...and what a beautiful, happy face to go with them!! I always take those "foodie" days at face value, too. Any reason to celebrate or honor certain foods is fine by me ;) Beautiful post.

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  2. Very nice looking cupcakes. I love peanut butter so I'd be happy to celebrate peanut butter day. What a beautiful little girl!

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  3. Yummy...I LOVE PB, and these sound and look great!!! Cute photos too :)

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  4. Happy Peanut Butter Day! I will have to make these cupcakes. My husband and I eat a lot of peanut butter, the natural type. I don't have Buzz Light Year liners, though:( Thanks for sharing your pics and recipe!

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  5. Happy Peanut Butter Day is right! So glad you picked this recipe to support such a great cause. Hopefully I hope Liv won't mind too much, but I don't have any buzz lightyear cupcake liners and I must make these.
    -Gina-

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  6. Kim, what a precious picture of your daughter. Love it! And I love this recipe, too. I don't think I've ever had a peanut butter cupcake--such a delicious idea. The only problem is that the frosting might never make it to the cupcakes! I'd eat it right out of the bowl. :-)

    Great cause.

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  7. I love the swirl on top. An empty wrapper is always a good sign that something was extra yummy!

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  8. Peanut butter is a winner in our house and these look like winners to me! YUM!

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  9. Beautiful cupcakes; they're an excellent creation for National Peanut Butter Day! I'm sorry I missed the day myself...nothing like a nice chocolate and peanut butter combo to make for a soothing evening.

    Also, very nice Buzz Lightyear cupcake wrappers. You definitely ensured your cupcakes went above "and beyond", har har har. ^_^

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  10. A sweet, nutty post perfect for the day. They look so light and welcoming!

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  11. i find out later in the day it was actually Peanut Butter day. Yesterday it was pie day, wonder what is tomorrow :))

    The cupcake sound delicious. Love crunchy peanut butter too and Olivia is so adorable.

    thanks for sharing Kim
    have a wonderful evening

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  12. What a way to celebrate!! Love it! So many wonderful celebrations.

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  13. Happy peanut day and so glad you are also participating to this campaign! These cupcakes are adorable!

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  14. I adore peanut butter - these look heavenly!

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  15. I love the icing. I don't think I've ever had peanut butter icing. This looks fantastic. And yay for Cooking Lite! My friend recently turned me on to the magazine. It's great.

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  16. Absolutely gorgeous, Kim and Liv! They look scrumptious and decadent! I've never made peanut butter cupcakes before. Tried dumping some into banana muffins once but that didn't turn out too well. I'll definitely be making these in the future!

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  17. Oh how much I want them.. :) you are just killing me :) now I wont find peace till I get something like that :)))

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  18. Thanks for sharing Ntl. Peanut Butter Day! Not that I need any excuse to eat pb, but now I have a reason to celebrate big time!

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  19. Haha I love, Liv! Hope my daughter is as helpful when she's older!! Peanut butter cupcakes would go down a treat 'round here!!!

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  20. Hooray for national peanut butter day! I love peanut butter and these cupcakes look perfect. Great frosting swirl :)

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  21. Yay for peanut butter day! What a fabulous day to have, I am so glad I know about it now and I have a peanut butter sandwich for lunch today and I didn't even know I was celebrating haha! These cupcakes look so awesome, I just love the recipe!

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  22. These look fantastic! Kids in the kitchen is so important to me. It's proven to make kids less picky and helps them in their independence. That smile is priceless. Adorable!

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  23. These are gorgeous. I'm new to your blog but wanted to tell you that I've spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I really enjoyed my visit and love the food and recipes you feature here. I'll be back for more. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  24. Oh goodness I'm going to eat up that cutie! So adorable!!!

    The cupcakes look wonderful - silky, sweet, and peanuty! mmmmmm!

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  25. I think my favorite is the picture of Liv to be honest! How adorable! Wonderful recipe, will have to give them a try with my little guy! Thanks!

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  26. Peanut Butter Cupcakes

    Meringue Cupcakes Made with Matcha Green Tea Powder

    http://www.fourgreensteps.com/community/recipes/desserts-a-goodies-/meringue-cupcakes-made-with-matcha-green-tea-powder

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  27. these cupcakes are amazing! i love it already. thanks for sharing this.

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  28. Gorgeous! Love that happy face licking the beaters - she'll remember that! Great job!

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  29. I used to snack on spoonfuls of peanut butter, and these cupcakes look like they may satisfy that delightful craving! Liv's face is priceless in that picture. :)

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  30. Her face is so precious in that snapshot. Just love it! Great PB cupcakes. Especially in the Buzz Lightyear.

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  31. Mmmmm...national peanut butter day...love it! These cupcakes sound amazing! I love your pictures....too cute! :)

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  32. Peanut Butter is my kryptonite. These are a must-make for me!!

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  33. I think I could eat a whole vat of that frosting. Although, it's got peanuts, right? So, it's got lots of protein, so it's good for me. Yeah, that's what I'm telling myself. ;)

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  34. Yes please! Anything w/ PB works for me. These look fantastic.

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  35. These cupcakes look amazing! Perfect for any celebration. I love the paper cake molds,too. They look cute.

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  36. Hi Kim-Such a beautiful peanut butter cupcakes and heavenly PB frosting. Great cause, and perfect dessert!
    Your little daughter is glowing with her sweet smile...so adorable!

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  37. What a great way to celebrate National Peanut Butter Day! And I agree, they wouldn't be as great without the Buzz Lightyear liners! =)

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  38. Hi Kim

    what a great cupcake, and what a perfect little face!!
    Congratulations on your #1 post on the top9!
    Cheers
    Dennis

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  39. Congrats on the Top 9 today!!!! Whomever bids on them, will get a yummy treat!

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  40. Awesome! I love the cute muffin liners! And the frosting looks to die for! I could just eat that up!

    Gratz on Top 9!!

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  41. UUUMMMMM.....THIS HAS MADE MY MOUTH WATER!

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  42. oh my, those look sooooo good. i love using peanut butter in bread!!!

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  43. Liv's smile says it all! We all love peanut butter and your cupcakes look deliciously light - I really do have to get a piping bag so I can make beautiful swirly frosting. Congrats on the Top 9 and a terrific addition to the Frigidaire campaign.

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  44. Congrats on the Top 9! And, as I just got addicted to "Cupcake Wars" I will try this tomorrow (as I think I will be snowed in!)

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  45. Congrats on the Top 9! These cupcakes sound delicious and I love the Buzz wrappers!

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  46. I wouldn't change a thing...oh, maybe I'd throw a chocolate kiss on top. These look amazing.

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  47. I did happen to see these on the Top 9...I'm not surprised! Happy Belated National Peanut Butter Day!!!

    How exciting are these for a peanut butter fan such as I! And thank you for the details on the Academy. I will have to check that out.

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  48. I am down for Peanut Butter day! Any baked goods with Peanut Butter are always welcome. I tried a healthy peanut butter cookie. It was still good with a smaller amount of sugar.

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