HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it's completely blended.
• Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.
• Frost each cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired.
• Place the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Tightly wrap the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan with foil.  Place the peanuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped. Add the wafer cookies and light brown sugar. Pulse until very finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand. Transfer the mixture to the springform pan. Using the bottom of a glass, press the crust into the bottom and about 1-inch up the side of the pan. Place the springform pan inside of a roasting pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool while making the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. For the filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sour cream on medium-low speed until totally smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the peanut butter, sugar, and salt. Beat on medium-low speed until completely combined. With the mixer running, add the eggs, one at a time until each is fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl  in between eggs. Mix in the whipping cream until combined. Pour the batter into the crust. (The batter will almost fill the pan.) Gently tap or jiggle the pan to level the batter. Boil 8 cups of water. Place the roasting pan with the cheese cake in the oven. Very carefully pour the water into the roasting pan until about 1 inch deep.  Bake for 75 to 80 minutes or until the filling is puffed and the center slightly wobbles when the pan is gently shaken. Add more hot water to the pan during baking if needed. Turn off the oven, crack the door a few inches, and let cool in the oven for 1 hour. Remove and finish cooling to room temperature. Remove the cheesecake from the water bath and remove the foil from the pan. Chill the cooled cheesecake for at least 6 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, run a thin knife or offset spatula around the sides of the cheesecake to release it from the pan. Release and remove the side of the springform pan and transfer to a serving plate.  For the topping: Place the chocolate chips in a small heat-proof bowl. Microwave the cream until very hot and just starting to bubble, about 1 minute. Pour cream over the chocolate and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted. Pour the ganache over the top of the chilled cheesecake and spread to the edges to let it drip down. Garnish with peanuts, salt, and peanut butter cups, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.