ESPRESSO DARK BROWNIE CUPCAKES, PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE FROSTING

Espresso Dark Brownie Cupcakes, Peanut Butter Fudge Frosting image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 34m

Yield 24 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
2 tablespoons finely ground espresso
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
Peanut Butter Fudge frosting, recipe follows
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Pinch salt
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

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.