Prepare to experience a truly irresistible dessert sensation: our Decadent Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes. These aren’t just any cupcakes; they are a match made in dessert heaven, featuring intensely chocolatey mocha cupcakes crowned with a rich, velvety smooth peanut butter frosting. The harmonious blend of deep cocoa, aromatic coffee, and creamy peanut butter creates an unforgettable treat that will captivate your taste buds with every bite.
If your heart beats for peanut butter, you absolutely must explore our Peanut Butter Espresso Cake for another delightful experience.
There are some days that just feel serendipitous, aligning perfectly like stars. Today is one of those days! Not only is it my birthday – a very happy birthday to me, if I do say so myself – but it also happens to be #NationalPeanutButterDay. Coincidence? I think not. It feels like the universe conspired to celebrate my love for peanut butter, and what better way to honor such a day than with these incredible Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes?
Life often throws unexpected pleasant surprises your way, much like a recent trip to the DMV. A few months ago, I received that dreaded letter from the state, mandating a visit to renew my license and undergo a vision test. My immediate reaction? Pure panic. Who truly *wants* to dedicate an entire morning, or even an afternoon, to the DMV? Certainly not I.
Yet, to my utter astonishment, what I braced for as a tedious ordeal turned into an absolute breeze. I was in and out in a mere 15 minutes! The staff were incredibly kind and efficient, making the experience surprisingly pleasant. And the cherry on top? I managed to “lose” 25 pounds from my license photo (a delightful perk of a new photo!), passed my vision test with flying colors, and even walked away with a genuinely decent license picture. It truly was a GREAT day, proving that sometimes, even the most mundane tasks can turn into unexpected victories.
If this unexpected burst of positivity is any indication of what my 34th year holds, then I am absolutely brimming with excitement and thoroughly looking forward to every moment of it. It’s these small, joyful moments that remind us to celebrate life’s everyday triumphs – and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of homemade, deeply satisfying cupcakes?
In our household, the affection for certain flavors runs deep, and peanut butter is definitely at the top of that list. But it doesn’t stop there; our family’s enthusiasm for coffee is equally profound. Even my son and daughter have recently discovered the delightful allure of coffee (though I only allow them a small sip or two for now!). It’s safe to say we’re one big, happy peanut butter and coffee-loving family, and that’s a tradition I’m more than happy to embrace.
For those who frequently bake, or even aspiring home bakers, here’s a golden tip I often share and love to reiterate: incorporating coffee, or even a touch of espresso, into your chocolate baked goods is a game-changer. It doesn’t make your chocolate taste like coffee; instead, it magically intensifies and deepens the inherent flavor of the chocolate. Think of it as a secret weapon that elevates your chocolate creations from merely good to absolutely phenomenal. The subtle bitterness and rich aroma of coffee enhance the cocoa notes, making the chocolate taste more “chocolatey” and complex, without overpowering it.
For the luscious base of these Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes, we start with a classic, moist chocolate cupcake recipe. We infuse it with a blend of coffee extract and robust, freshly brewed espresso, ensuring that rich, complex mocha flavor permeates every crumb. To truly amplify the chocolate experience, we also fold in a generous handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips, creating delightful pockets of molten chocolate that melt in your mouth. This thoughtful combination results in a cupcake that is deeply flavorful, wonderfully moist, and utterly satisfying.
And what would these incredible cupcakes be without their crowning glory? The frosting for these mocha delights is a testament to simple perfection. It’s a dreamy, creamy peanut butter frosting made with just a few core ingredients: smooth peanut butter, delicate powdered sugar, a splash of milk or heavy cream to achieve the perfect consistency, and a hint of vanilla extract to round out the flavors. This creates a frosting that is rich, nutty, sweet, and perfectly balanced, providing an ideal complement to the mocha base.
When combined, these two elements—the intensely flavorful mocha cupcake and the luxurious peanut butter frosting—transform into something truly extraordinary: the unforgettable Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes. Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures, a perfect harmony of bittersweet chocolate, aromatic coffee, and creamy, salty-sweet peanut butter. They are designed to impress and destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Even though it’s my birthday, I’m still trying to stay on track with my New Year’s resolutions, especially after working hard to keep off those 25 pounds I happily shed before my license renewal! So, while I savored one (or maybe two, #noshame, it’s my birthday!), I thoughtfully saved a few of these delightful creations to enjoy for dessert tonight after our dinner out. The rest? They’re being whisked away to friends and family, ensuring I don’t succumb to the temptation of having them all to myself!
Seriously, if you are a true enthusiast of the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate, then these Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes are an absolute must-try. I cannot recommend them highly enough. Their rich flavor profile, moist texture, and the sheer joy they bring make them an exceptional treat. I’m already eagerly anticipating that second (or third!) one for dessert – and yes, I might have even indulged in one for breakfast this morning. After all, it’s my birthday, and some rules are simply meant to be broken when a cupcake this good is involved!
You don’t need a special occasion to bake these amazing Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes. Indulge in them today!
7 votes
Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes
Prep
Cook
Total
Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yield 24 servings
Decadently chocolate mocha cupcakes are topped with a rich and delicious peanut butter frosting making these Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes a match made in dessert Heaven!
Ingredients
Mocha Cupcakes
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coffee extract
1 cup milk
1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Frosting
10 tablespoons butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
2 cups powdered sugar
optional chocolate covered espresso beans
Instructions
Mocha Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or into the bowl of your stand mixer, place butter and beat for 1 minute. Add sugar and scrap down the bowl as needed. Beat for 2 additional minutes. Add in vanilla and coffee extract and eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Combine milk and coffee.
- Alternating between the flour mixture and milk mixture, slowly add into mixing bowl with creamed butter. Scrap down the bowl as needed and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips
- Spoon into muffin liners and bake for 18 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes in pan and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Peanut Butter Frosting
- In a mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, add butter and peanut butter and mix to combine. Add in powdered sugar and beat slowly. Gradually add in in vanilla extract and cream until fully incorporated.
- Place into a piping bag fitted with a 2D tip and pipe peanut butter frosting onto mocha cupcakes. Top with chocolate covered espresso beans if desired.
Courses Dessert
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 24 servings
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 464 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 33 g | 51% | |
Saturated Fat 17 g | 85% | |
Cholesterol 82 mg | 27% | |
Sodium 172 mg | 7% | |
Total Carbohydrates 42 g | 14% | |
Dietary Fiber 3 g | 12% | |
Sugars 28 g | ||
Protein 6 g | 12% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
One bite of these irresistible cupcakes, and I can almost guarantee they will instantly secure a spot as your new favorite dessert. The sheer delight they bring is undeniable; my husband has already put in a special request for them to be the centerpiece of his birthday celebration in May. They truly are that good!
To further celebrate #NationalPeanutButterDay and share the love for this incredible ingredient, I’ve teamed up with some of my talented Foodie Friends. We’ve compiled a fantastic round-up of other delicious peanut butter recipes, ensuring there’s something for every peanut butter enthusiast. Dive into these delightful creations below and find your next favorite peanut butter treat:
Peanut Butter Day Recipes to Savor
- 3 Healthy Peanut Butter Smoothies by Bear & Bug Eats
- Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce by Everyday Eileen
- Marshmallow Peanut Butter Cookies by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls by The Freshman Cook
- E.T. Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Easy Peanut Butter & Chocolate Swirled Fudge by Cookaholic Wife
- Easy Peanut Butter and Banana Croissants by Jonesin’ For Taste
- Fluffernutter Macaron by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- My Family’s Favorite Peanut Butter Cookie (recipe remake) by Family Around the Table
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie by Soulfully Made
- Nutter Butter Ice Cream Cone Cookies by Amy’s Cooking Adventures
- Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Granola Squares by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie Bowl by Simple and Savory
- Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oatmeal by Frugal Pantry
- Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Spread by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Peanut Butter Mocha Cupcakes by Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
- Peanut Butter Mousse Parfaits by The Redhead Baker
- Honey Peanut Butter Popcorn by The Gingered Whisk
- Peanut Butter Snowballs by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Peanut Ginger Pasta by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Thai Inspired Noodles by A Day in the Life on the Farm
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