PB&J Mini Cupcakes

The real world is approaching too quickly....  Just last night I was talking about paying rent, getting my own dog, having a real JOB!

My last homecoming as a college student is less than 3 weeks away.  Soon, I will be an ALUMNI. Cue the terrifying music...

I want to go back to being a child, to taking naps without remorse, to watching Spongebob on Saturday mornings with a bowl of cereal in my lap.   Give me carefree.

What's more carefree and reminiscent of your childhood than peanut butter and jelly? In fact, my first writing assignment was about PB&J sandwiches.  My second grade teacher had us write step-by-step directions on how to make a proper PB&J.  This is how crucial the sandwich is to my childhood.

I won't mention that this was the same teacher that asked me if I broke the chalkboard after it fell on my head... No, she didn't ask me if I was okay.  I learned a lot in second grade...

Like how to make a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  That was about it, actually.

Now, that I am a "grown-up" I have decided that it is time to put an adult spin on the classic childhood sandwich. I have made a PB&J cupcake.  And they are beautiful mini cupcakes, perfect for lots of grown up occasions...


Peanut butter is literally my favorite food in the world....

And to put it in cupcake form - OMG!

Look at these adorable little things!

Peanut butter jelly TIME!!!

PB&J Mini cupcakes
adapted from Gourmet Today cookbook
makes 24 mini cupcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 c whole milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

Strawberry jam for topping the cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. In a separate bowl, mix milk, vanilla, and peanut butter (this will be easier if the peanut butter is slightly melted).

3. In yet another bowl (apparently Gourmet Today doesn't realize that I don't have a dishwasher), beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy.  Add egg and mix until just combined.  Add 1/3 of flour mixture. Stir.  Add 1/2 of milk mixture; beat.

4. Add another 1/3 of flour; stir.  Add remaining milk mixture and beat.  Add remaining flour and stir.

5. Pour into greased mini muffin tins.  Bake for ~15 minutes.

6. Slather on some jam when cool.

7. Be transported back to your childhood...