Peanut Butter Cupcakes

My daughter made these cupcakes and they were really good.  I have my own peanut butter cake recipe that is delish but these were a bit lighter.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 c water
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. peanut butter

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda in a bowl.  Beat milk, eggs and vanilla into flour mix on low speed.

Add butter, vegetable oil and peanut butter in a saucepan and heat over medium until smooth, about 5 minutes.

Stir PB mixture into flour mix. 

Pour batter into cupcake liners in muffin pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Frosting:
1/2 c butter
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/3 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
4 3/4 c. powdered sugar

Chocolate Layer Cake

We learned these really great tips from my father-in-law's new 'best friend' when they were here visiting for his 80th birthday.  I am DEFINITELY going to do these for any cake I make!

Chocolate Layer Cake

1 box of Betty Crocker Super Moist chocolate cake mix, prepare the box mix as directed with the following modifications:

• add 1 more egg than the box says.  Take the eggs out and wait until room temperature.
• substitute some milk in the amount of water the cake mix says.  This one said 1 1/4 c. of water so we used 1/4 c. milk and 1 c. water instead

Grease and line the bottom of 2 round cake pans with wax or parchment paper.  Split the batter between the pans.

Wet a couple of paper towels and fold them in a collar.  Wrap them around each of the round pans.  This will stop the edges from baking too much first which push up the middle of the cake.  You'll get a much flatter cake that way!

Bake according to box with paper towels on in the oven.  They are wet, they will be fine!

Make your favorite frosting and decorate.  Super yum.

Bread Machine Jalapeno Cheese Bread

My sister makes awesome jalapeno bagels from her jalapeno plant that just keeps producing all summer long.  Problem is, bagels take time to make.  A labor of love, really.  So, when she just doesn't have the time, jalapeno bread is a good alternative.   I prefer to weigh the flour to be as accurate as possible.  For bread machine standards, this makes a large loaf  2 pound loaf.

Bread Machine Jalapeno Cheese Bread

15 oz. bread flour  (or 3 cups)
1 t. salt
2 T. sugar
1 c. warm water
1/2 c. shredded cheddar, monterey jack, or mexican cheese. your choice.
2/3 c. diced fresh jalapeno, you decide how much seed and rib you want to leave
1 1/2 t. dry yeast

Follow your bread machine instructions on adding these ingredients, mixing and baking.


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oz = ounce
c = cup
T = tablespoon
t = teaspoon