CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CUPCAKES

Chocolate Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 24 to 30 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons peanut butter
One 18-ounce jar creamy peanut butter (2 cups)
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups chilled whipping cream
1 cup grape jelly (or flavor of your choice), for filling

Steps:

For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line muffin pans with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, cream together the sugars and oil. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the milk and peanut butter until the batter is smooth. Then scoop the batter into the liners. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The cupcakes are done when they spring back to the touch. Let cool.
For the mousse frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat the peanut butter and cream cheese in a large bowl to blend. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until well blended. Using clean, dry beaters, beat the whipping cream in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold into the peanut butter mixture in four additions.
To assemble: You will need to utilize a small teaspoon or butter knife to cut out the center of the cupcakes. Once you have removed about 1/2 inch of the center, add some jelly to the middle of the cupcake directly from the jar. It is easier to use the jelly that comes in a squeezable container or you may just use a small spoon.
Top the cupcakes with peanut butter mousse frosting.