This Week's Sweets: Peanut Butter Hi-hats

These cupcakes were inspired by my favorite chocolate covered, peanut butter Christmas trees that Santa always leaves in our stockings... Mini chocolate cupcakes, topped with peanut butter buttercream, dipped in milk chocolate, sprinkled with crushed salted peanuts. Mmm. But I only ate one and gave the rest away, as I didn't want to start the new year off having eaten 37 cupcakes.

These are pretty easy to make, they just look complicated!

Here's what you'll need:

1. Mini chocolate cupcakes (use your favorite recipe, or even just a mix, the topping is the real star here!)

2. Peanut butter buttercream (recipe follows)

3. Dipping chocolate - I use these from Callebaut, they are a bit pricey, but worth it! If you can't find them, you can find Wilton melting chocolates at most grocery or craft stores, or you can melt chocolate chips. However, you will have the BEST results if you use good chocolate.

4. Crushed, salted peanuts

You'll find instructions on assembling the hi-hats and melting the chocolate here, just replace the marshmallow filling with the peanut butter buttercream, and don't make them 3 swirls high! Just do a little dollop, as shown in the photos above. And be sure to sprinkle on the crushed peanuts when the chocolate is still wet.

Peanut Butter Buttercream

2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, room temp

1 pound powdered sugar (that's about 4 cups)

1 t vanilla

3/4 cup peanut butter

3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

In the bowl of your electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth. Turn mixer to low and gradually add powdered sugar. Keep beating on low until the powdered sugar and butter come together, scraping the sides as needed. Once it comes together, beat on high for another minute or so, until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Turn off mixer and add vanilla and peanut butter, beat on medium until combined. On low speed, gradually add the cream and then beat on high for another minute. If frosting is too thick, add a little more cream, if it's too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. 

*Note* When I made these, I lost a few tops in the dipping chocolate, don't fret if this happens to you. And I won't judge you when you eat a spoon full of peanut butter buttercream covered in melted chocolate. I may or may not have done this... and I may or may not have had chocolate dripping down my chin.