Description
These cupcakes are a joyful bite of nostalgia with fluffy brown sugar cake, gooey chocolate centers, juicy cherries, and creamy peanut butter frosting. A dessert that feels like snack time during recess—comforting, playful, and a little indulgent.
Ingredients
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup salted butter (softened)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
½ cup whole milk
1 cup chopped cherries (fresh or frozen, patted dry)
12 chocolate squares or truffles
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup salted butter (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
12 whole cherries (optional)
Caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners or lightly grease.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in vanilla.
5. Add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk. Stir gently until just combined.
6. Fold in chopped cherries.
7. Fill each cupcake liner halfway with batter. Press one chocolate truffle in the center. Cover with more batter until ¾ full.
8. Bake for 16–18 minutes until tops are golden and spring back to the touch. Cool 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to a rack.
9. Make frosting: Beat peanut butter and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar and cream, beating until fluffy.
10. Frost cooled cupcakes. Add a cherry on top and drizzle with caramel.
Notes
Use high-quality soft truffles or filled chocolates for best gooey texture. Avoid chips.
Cherries must be patted dry if using frozen or jarred to avoid excess moisture.
Let cupcakes cool before frosting to avoid melting the peanut butter topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 355
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: cupcakes, peanut butter, gooey center, nostalgic dessert