Chocolate & Peanut Butter - A Perfect Pair

Hi Everyone!

With Valentine's approaching, I felt the urge to whip up a little somethin' from my oven for Mr. Bluebird's coworkers.  I try to bake something every few weeks or so for them.  I really like baking and making desserts.  Mr. Bluebird doesn't eat sweets very often and I try to stay away from them, so his coworkers benefit from my sweet tooth.

I was looking for a quick treat that still had some pizazz, and quickly decided on cupcakes.  One of my tricks to make a box mix taste more like homemade is to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.  I have used expensive real vanilla and inexpensive "imitation" vanilla - I think taste-wise, it is a tie.  So, I chose to use the imitation for this and save my pricier vanilla for when it makes a difference.

After letting the cupcakes cool, I added about one half cup smooth peanut butter to canned vanilla frosting, along with another teaspoon of vanilla.  Once it is mixed, you have a delicious and not too sweet peanut butter frosting.  Love this trick! And.....you can't go wrong with a peanut butter & chocolate pairing.  They were truly meant to be together!

I used a piping tool to add a generous circle of frosting to each cupcake.  Candy heart sprinkles were shaken on top, and then, the piece de resistance, I nestled a yummy Reese's chocolate heart in the center.

Thank goodness I am dropping these off at his office tomorrow morning, because they are definitely calling my name!

Have a "sweet" week!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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