Super chocolate-y and filled with peanut butter and cheesecake, these peanut butter black bottom cupcakes are sure to be a hit with any dessert lover!”
What would you say if I told you that you could eat a cupcake that tastes like a peanut butter cup with some cheesecake mixed in. Would you believe me?
You probably would because you’re looking at the evidence right there in front of you. But I’ll restate: chocolate filled with peanut butter AND cream cheese! It’s not too good to be true. This is reality!
Delicious, delicious reality.
Remember a couple of months ago when I posted like 12,000 chocolate + peanut butter recipes all in a row? (It might have been more like three recipes in two weeks, but it felt like more to me.)
Well, I decided to give my favorite-ever combo a break, at least around these parts—in my real life I NEVER take a break from it. I spend a good chunk of my life dreaming up new ways to incorporate peanut butter into chocolate recipes (and vice versa).
And now I’m bringing that combo back to IBK.
With cupcakes. Peanut butter black bottom cupcakes—my new favorite variety of cute individual desserts. (Is “cute individual” redundant?)
But I need to take a minute to reflect here. I started this blog as a creative outlet, and to give some purpose to my baking obsession. Because it’s harder for people to turn down baked goods when I tell them I need feedback before I post the recipe—before blogging I didn’t have an excuse other than I just CAN’T have the cookies around any more!
In the year-and-a-half (or so) since my first post, I’ve discovered that even more than the creativity blogging allows, I love interacting with other bloggers, I love hearing feedback from people on social media, and I especially love sharing my food with all of you out there.
So please know just how much I appreciate all of the love and support you’ve given me.
Should we get back to the good stuff now? Sure thing.
Cupcakes! It should be noted that I didn’t have an oven for the first several days I lived in Phoenix. (Oh, did I mention I’m officially moved in? Not unpacked entirely, but moved in. I’m a Phoenician now!) It should also be noted that the first thing I baked once the range was installed was another batch of these babies.
They’re sitting in the freezer waiting for my next late-night chocolate craving.
These chocolate peanut butter black bottom cupcakes are so moist they’re practically gooey. They’re bursting with peanut butter and a cheesecake filling with peanut butter chips, and they’re topped with a luscious chocolate glaze.
In short, they’re chocolate and peanut butter perfection!
Thanks for indulging my inner thoughts today, friends! I just am so glad you’re all here with me and if I could send you your own batch of these cupcakes I’d do it in a heartbeat!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, very hot
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup peanut butter chips, chopped up a bit
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into several pieces
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with cupcake liners and set pan aside.
- Combine the flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the cooled coffee, vinegar, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer set to low until well combined.
- Combine the cream cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Beat until well combined. Fold in chopped peanut butter chips.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin cup. Top with a half teaspoon of peanut butter, followed by 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, until cupcakes spring back when lightly pressed with your fingertip.
- Cool cupcakes in muffin tins for 15 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Combine the chopped chocolate and butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Add corn syrup and vanilla and stir until well combined. Spoon the glaze over each cooled cupcake, then replace cupcakes on wire rack until glaze sets. (Alternatively, you can dip the cupcakes into the glaze.) Serve and enjoy.
Adapted from Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey
Love the sound of these, I like the sound of anything with peanut butter in!!
Haha! We’re on the same page with peanut butter for sure :). Have a wonderful week!
Oh my word. These sound like such fun ! I so want these in my rummy right now. Love, Love, love !!!!! I am so making these and what a great idea to freeze them for that chocolate craving (I have those often!)
Glad you are all moved in now….don’t worry about the boxes, you will get to them 🙂 Have a lovely day !
Thank you Lynne! They are so perfect for those (all-too-frequent here, too) chocolate cravings! Have a great week, my friend!
Chocolate and peanut butter is definitely on the tip top of my fave things! I would love if you could send me one (or three) of these right now, but, until then, I’ll have to bake ’em myself 😉 So happy to hear you’ve moved in! Don’t matter if you still have boxes around, the point is, you’ve MOVED IN so high five to that! Also happy that our paths crossed via blogging. Love reading your posts, girl! xo
I’m more than happy to send you cupcakes any time! I KNOW! I can’t believe we’re really here. I’m ignoring the boxes and just enjoying being in the house, finally :). Have a great week, Dawn!
Hmmm…if my memory of classical studies serves me right, then the Phoenicians were an ancient civilization. They perhaps invented the alphabet? I think that sounds right. But now you are a Phoenician, too? Fitting since you invent such amazing desserts! (See what I did there? Haha!) Congrats on getting moved in…that’s the biggest part! Also, since you probably don’t have a network of cupcake eaters in Phoenix yet, then I’ll gladly take these treats off your hands. 🙂 Happy Monday, my friend!
Haha! I’m pretty sure you’re right and they were alphabet proliferators (that’s a word right?)–so it’s fitting that I’m a sugar proliferator :). I have like two cupcake eaters here, but I’m working on meeting the neighbors so I can pick up a few more. I’ll gladly send cupcakes your way until then! Have a great week, David!
Life definitely needs more cupcakes, and since you just moved, I’m thinking you deserve (and probably need) ALL the dang cupcakes! These look delicious, girlfriend! Loving that peanut butter swirl! Cheers!!
Thank you Cheyanne! I couldn’t agree more. Cupcakes for LIFE! And yeah, I’m needing all the cupcakes I can get right about now :). Have a great week, my dear!
Oh heavens I’ve got to make these!
They’re so good, Julie! Happy Monday!
I am not a big fan of cake and cupcakes, I don’t know why I just prefer other types of desserts BUT the fact that you added a cheesecake element…..Yes. Cheesecake is one of my favorites, with peanut butter and chocolate. This is amazing. Thank you for creating the dessert of my dreams
Haha! You’re welcome Patrick; I’m happy to oblige! Have a great week, my friend!
So glad you are all moved in Kelsie! And rest assured people appreciate your spirited posts and delicious baked goods. You must be thinking a lot about chocolate and peanut butter because you do come up with amazing ideas:) You know how neurons that fire together wire together? I am sure you’ve got some solid neural arsenal when it comes to chocolate and peanut butter:) love the cheesecake element in these cupcakes. And I know you’ll come with an even better creation:) I just know it.
Thank you Milena! I think you’re right about the neurons; I literally think about chocolate and peanut butter every night before I fall asleep. It’s my version of counting sheep :). Have a wonderful week!
So finger-licking treat, Kelsie! I love this recipe and I will definitely give it a try!
Thank you so much Agness! You’ll love them!
I’m all over some PB and chocolate! You’re speaking my language girl!!!
Awww thank you Lindsay! Happy Monday!
i’ve had plain cream cheese black bottom cupcakes before, but not peanut butter ones!!! these sound 342390x better than the original (: and glad that you’re settled (ish) in your new home; i mean, as long as you have the oven in, you’re set, right? (;
YES! The day they installed the oven was the day I finally felt at home–I’m guessing you know what I mean! Bakers need their ovens :). Thank you Heather! Happy Monday!
Wowza! These are the flavors fit for a queen! So happy you’re all moved in!! This is an exciting time for you!
Thank you so much, Annie! I’ve been pinching myself for almost a week now. I can’t believe the worst is over, haha! Have a great week, my friend!
So happy you’re all moved in! Peanut butter, chocolate and cheesecake are the perfect way to celebrate! These cupcakes look heavenly!!!
Thank you Kelly! I can’t imagine celebrating with anything other than my favorite flavor combo :). Have a great week!
I have a history with black bottom cupcakes and they’re one of my favorite treats! I’ve never thought to add peanut butter to the mix and love this idea! This is one delicious way to start the week off!
Black bottom cupcakes are EVERYTHING aren’t they? They’re just so totally divine :). This is Monday food at its finest! Have a great week, Marcie!
I would say YES PLEASE!! These are everything. I’m all about peanut butter and chocolate together anyway (obviously!) and these look especially delicious 🙂
Sues
Thank you Sues! Chocolate-peanut butter lovers unite! Have a great week!
I would need to hide these deep in the freezer or I’d have a heck of a time not eating them all in one sitting! Glad you’re getting settled in your new kitchen!!!
Right? My freezer is a tad on the small side so I’m hoping my terrible memory keeps me from eating every single one tonight! Have a great week, Liz!
These look amazing!!!! i might just make them for my boyfriend’s birthday next weekend. I love cheesecake, I love peanut butter and I love chocolate, so these check all the box. I love meeting new people through blogging, I’ve made some amazing friends through blogging.
Thank you, Mary! These check every box for me, too! I love every single person I’ve met out there in the blogosphere; starting a blog is easily one of the best decision I ever made :). Have a great week, my dear!
I bet you are happy that the move is behind you. These cupcakes are amazing! Chocolate and peanut butter are one of favorite combinations. One of the things I love about blogging is meeting new people too.
I’m so happy I can’t even express it! Thank you so much, Dawn! I hope you have a wonderful week!
SWOON. These. Look. Perfect. I mean, come on, the peanut butter, the chocolate and that heavenly glaze? It just doesn’t get any better than that!!
Thank you SO MUCH, Karly! I agree–it’s impossible to beat that chocolate + pb combo, especially when the whole thing is topped with a bunch of gooey chocolate glaze :).
Keep the peanut butter+chocolate recipes coming! They are pretty much my favourite sweets combination too. I’m drooling looking at the pictures! Anyway, I always appreciate your posts and amazing recipes! Thanks Kelsie!
Thank you so much Marie! Don’t worry; I think it would be physically impossible for me to quit the choc and pb desserts :). Hope your week is going well!
You can never post too many chocolate peanut butter dessert recipes. Just saying 😉 These cupcakes look dangerously addicting!!!
I’m glad you are moved in to your new place! So exciting!! Have a great week 🙂 xoxo
Haha! Thank you Kelly! If there’s one word to describe these cupcakes, addicting would be it :). You have a great week, too, my friend!
These cupcakes look fantastic, Kelsie! The combo of peanut butter and chocolate is the best (well, perhaps after chocolate-lavender). When I feel festive (usually on weekends), I somethimes sprinkle my peanut butter toast with some chopped chocolate. This idea to mingle peanut butter, chocolate, and cheesecake sounds and looks great. But you know what? I prefer not to believe my eyes so send me 7-14 these bad guys, and I’ll announce my verdict shortly.
Thank you so much! I’ve never tried chocolate and lavender but that sounds quite dreamy :). Peanut butter toast is my fave breakfast so I might try adding a little chocolate next time. And I’d be happy to send you cupcakes! Any time! Have a great week, Ben!
dynamite. it’s the best combination in the world, and it’s been amped up considerably!
Thank you so much Grace! I hope your week is going well!
Peanut butter/chocolate/cream cheese/coffee – all the food groups are covered! Awesome recipe!
Thank you Laura! I’m so glad you also consider coffee a food group–it’s one of the most important, in my opinion! Have a wonderful week 🙂
First of all congrats on being a Phoenician and having accomplished the move! Now these cupcakes are so decadent and mouth-watering, i wish they could appear on my lap through the laptop!
Thank you Jenny! I’m at the point where I’m just pretending the rest of my boxes don’t exist :). I’d be more than happy to send you some cupcakes–you know, until someone invents a laptop that can download cake. Have a great week!
Peanut butter, chocolate and cream cheese – loaded combo???
Thank you Maria!
You are incredible that you managed to still blog during your move! And these sound awesome chocolate and peanut butter can never go wrong but throw in some cheesecake and you are dealing with the best kind of face stuffable cake ever. These look insane!
Ilove how you write about blogging. I love it for the creative outlet it gives me but also the interaction I get from amazing bloggers like you!
Thank you, dear Ruby! I never imagined that I would enjoy interacting with other bloggers as much as I do! Reading blog posts and communicating with all of you amazing bloggers is seriously the highlight of every day for me. I hope you’re having a wonderful week!
Kelsie, I am fairly new to the food blog world too and am loving the interaction with the other bloggers as well!! I never realized what a great little community I’d find! Your comments and friendliness is always so appreciated. Also, I think I will be loving my interaction with these cupcakes. Peanut butter and cheesecake is just too good to be true. YUM, girl!
Hahaha! I love my interaction with any and all cupcakes :). Katherine, I’m just so glad we’ve become friends! I still can’t get over how wonderful the food blogging community is!
Peanut butter? And chocolate? Say no more — I’m on my way over. 🙂 This is super — thanks.
Haha! The cupcakes are waiting :). Hope your week is going well!
omg gimme all of it now! I am so hungry right now, and staring at your pictures is not helping! I wish we could just reach into the screen and grab food!
I’m more than happy to share! It’s so painful reading blogs when you’re already hungry, isn’t it? Hope your week is going well Georgie!
These are fantabulous Kelsie!!! Can’t believe you’ve only been blogging a year and a half …AND that you just moved….. AND whipped these up!! Woo hoo for you. I’m seriously impressed. Also that you had the discipline to stash some of these in the freezer! Peanut butter and chocolate is the best combo ever! My neighbor across the street winters in Phoenix. She’s getting away from our NH snow and then she comes back all tan every May. LUCKY her! Hope you love Phoenix my friend.
Thank you so much Allie! You’re the sweetest! I must say that peanut butter and chocolate is truly the very best thing ever :). I’m absolutely loving it here so far; I just wish I tanned instead of burning, haha! Hope your week is going well!
I love this! You’re such an incredible source of encouragement and support- so keep up the good work yourself! 🙂
Thank you so much, Kate! Happy Wednesday! Summer is that much closer 🙂
You have so many of my favorite words in here, chocolate, peanut butter, cupcake, gooey, luscious, chocolate, peanut butter… 😉 They look amazing!
We are so similar, Carlee! They’re some of my favorites, too :). Have a great weekend, my friend!
What a perfect little dessert (my favourite part of the meal ;-)) or midnight snack! Love the combination of peanut and chocolate. Have a great weekend, Kelsie!
What a coincidence! Dessert is my favorite part, too :). Thank you, Miriam! You have a great weekend, too!
Sign me up Kelsie! These look amazing! Can’t beat the peanut butter chocolate combo!!
Right? It’s the best combo around! Thank you Mary Ann! Have a great weekend!
Chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combinations – these look amazing!
Thank you so much Megan! Hope you have a great weekend!
Have made these many times but not with the peanut butter. So that give me an excuse to make more!
I’m so happy to give you excuses to bake! Haha :). Hope your week is going well, Abbe, and have a great weekend!
These look amazing and are so needed today!! I’ll take 6 😉 Take care!
Thank you Stacey! I’ll happily share :). Have a great weekend!
These cupcakes look extremely addictive and irresistible ! 🙂
Thank you Pamela! Happy weekend!
Oh Kelsie, my son is going to go crazy over these. Pinning it ti try 🙂
Thank you Kankana! I hope you guys have an awesome weekend!
This sounds yummy! I’m not the biggest fan of peanut butter though – what I always like to mix with any recipe that says peanut butter is Nutella!
Thank you Teesh! It’s hard to go wrong with Nutella 🙂