Peanut Butter Ball Chocolate Cupcakes

Enjoy these delicious Peanut Butter Ball Chocolate Cupcakes, which are the ideal balance of chocolate and peanut butter. Every cupcake has a surprise peanut butter ball inside, smooth peanut butter buttercream on top, and rich chocolate ganache on top.

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar for buttercream
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter for buttercream
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream for ganache
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts optional, for garnish
• Cupcake liners

Instructions:

Set your oven's temperature to the recommended setting on the box of cake mix

Prepare the chocolate cake mix as directed on the package

Use cupcake liners to line a cupcake pan

Pour batter into each cupcake liner until it reaches about two thirds full

Combine 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter in a separate bowl and stir until well combined

Using the mixture, roll small balls of peanut butter and put one in the middle of each cupcake

As directed on the package, bake the cupcakes for 18 to 20 minutes in a preheated oven

Use a toothpick to test for doneness; it should insert cleanly into the cake rather than sticking out like a peanut butter ball

Make the peanut butter buttercream while the cupcakes are cooling

Beat two cups heavy cream in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form

To the whipped cream, add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter

Beat until the buttercream is well-combined and smooth

After the cupcakes cool completely, use a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip to pipe the peanut butter buttercream onto each cupcake

One-fourth cup heavy cream should be heated in a small saucepan until it starts to simmer

Pour it over one cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips after removing from the heat

To make ganache, stir the chocolate until it's smooth and fully melted

Each cupcake should have its top dipped in chocolate ganache, letting some drips fall over the sides

Optional: For added texture and flavor, top the ganache with chopped peanuts while it's still wet

The cupcakes are ready to be eaten after they have had a few minutes to set