Monday Menu (Gasp!) ~ Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

I actually have a recipe to post on a Monday!  It's a Monday Menu resurrection!!  Well, for today anyway.  Next Monday I won't want to dwell on recipes.  Or maybe I will.  Actually, I probably will.  Nevermind all that.

Back to the Monday Menu!!

These cupcakes are the sum of all I love in a dessert.  Peanut butter....chocolate...in a cupcake! Yes, I do love them.  I saw this recipe on Pinterest, and knew I had to try it.  I tweaked it just a bit, and my frosting recipe may frustrate those that are in need of precision.  But you really do need to experience these cupcakes.  They are deee-lightful, and your tongue and tummy will thank you kindly.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

6 TBSP butter, softened

3/4 cup peanut butter (Jiff, please)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup flour

2 cups miniature chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Frosting:

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter (Jiff again, please)

1 tsp vanilla

1 pound powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

For the cupcakes, beat together butter, peanut butter and both sugars until smooth and creamy.  Add vanilla and eggs, beat well.  Add salt, baking powder and half the flour.  Mix until just combined.  And milk and combine well.  Add remaining flour and stir just until combined.  Add chocolate chips and fold in with a spatula.

Spoon into lined baking cups, filling about 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 for 21-23 minutes, until lightly golden and center springs back when touched.

Remove from oven and cool completely.

For the frosting, beat together butter and peanut butter.  Add vanilla and beat well.  Add powdered sugar and beat until well combined and lump-less.  Add milk, and beat until creamy.  You may need to add more milk or powdered sugar until it's the right spreading consistency.  You can totally dump a little more of this or that until it tastes like you want it and it's as thick or thin as you like your frosting.

Scoop a nice fluffy bloop of frosting onto each cooled cupcake.  Drizzle with a little melted chocolate if you want, or just dive right in.

I mean really, now.  Mmmm.

Another beautiful view of the cupcakes, but check out the angels in the window in the background!  They are even moved to praise!

Maybe they always look like that, but I like to believe that even they were a bit excited about the beauty before them.