Mini Espresso Cakes With Peanut Butter Frosting Food

CHOCOLATE AND ESPRESSO LAYER CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER ICING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 8-inch nonstick cake pans with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, espresso, coconut oil, vanilla and eggs. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add in the wet mixture, whisking until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake on the center rack until puffed, the sides pull away from the edges and an inserted cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven, immediately cover them with clean kitchen towels and press any domed portions down¿careful, it's hot! (This will help make sure that you don't have to level the cakes.) Allow the cakes to cool in their pans to room temperature. When completely cooled, invert onto plates.
• For the icing: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Add the peanut butter and mix on medium speed to combine. Again, turn the mixer off. Mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on LOW speed (or else you'll have powdered sugar everywhere!). Add the vanilla and mix once more.
• Transfer the icing to a piping bag. Ice the top of one cake layer, using a circular motion, starting from the outside and gradually moving to the center; do not ice the sides of the cake. Set the second cake layer on top of the first and repeat with the icing; again, do not ice the sides. Drag the back of a spoon in a side-to-side motion across the icing on top to lend a beautifully textured look to the icing.
• Sprinkle the iced cake with the chopped peanuts. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

ESPRESSO DARK BROWNIE CUPCAKES, PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line standard cupcake pans with 24 cupcake liners.
• Combine the butter and chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, uncovered, stirring every 30 seconds, until the butter and chocolate are melted and smooth. Set aside to cool. Mix the flour, cocoa powder, espresso, and salt in another bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix both sugars and reserved chocolate mixture until well combined. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until each is smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed. Add the flour mixture until blended. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake until golden, rotating the pans halfway though, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks to cool completely before removing the cupcakes.
• To assemble: Frost the cooled cupcakes with Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, peanut butter, and salt on medium-high speed until creamy. Turn the speed to low and beat in the confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Add the cocoa powder and beat until extremely smooth and creamy.

OLD-FASHIONED CUPCAKES WITH PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a 12-count muffin tin with liners and set aside.
• With an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and butter until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together, then add alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Add the vanilla and mix until smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin tin cups, filling about three-quarters of the way up. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn out cupcakes onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
• For the frosting: With an electric mixer, beat the butter and peanut butter together until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups of the confectioner's sugar, the milk, and the vanilla. Beat in the remaining 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar. Mix in additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is a creamy, spreadable consistency.
• Generously frost the cupcakes. Garnish with sprinkles.