Reeses Pieces Cupcakes, Take 2

Happy Hump Day! Okay- so I think that phrase is creepy but I get why they use it to describe Wednesday! I decided to take the week off to catch up on some long overdue "To-Do List" things. I have been quite productive! And for a change it was not just on an academic front. I have finally cleaned my apartment- every single nook and cranny; every closet and cupboard have been rearranged and organized; our closets purged-- absolutely perfect!  It is so relaxing coming back to a home that is clean! And, I finally got around to putting up some decor. I hung up our artwork from Asia as well as the hubby and I's diplomas. Granted, I am quite jealous that his says "doctorate" and mine does not, but all in due time, right?! Or at least that is what I tell myself, to keep trucking though ;)

Okay, you know I hate selfies, but I bit the chocolate bar (like the pun?), and took one so I could share my new look. I shared my new look with Justin and Luke today, over dinner. We got together to have a belated birthday dinner for the hubby since Justin was out of town visiting his family. So, I told him that we could celebrate when he came back.

The hubby picked Grub Burger. Besides the hubby, I heard nothing but rave reviews about his place. Usually I do not go to Burger places, since I do not eat beef. But Grub Burger has both seafood, turkey and chicken burgers ("Burgers that don't moo" ;) and what is even cooler is they allow you to switch out the patty of any burger of your choice. I chose to get the Gaucapotle Burger. I had high hopes- but it was an average burger, something that I feel I could have made at home. Though, I do have to say that I will go back to Grub Burger so that I could try their Salmon Burger.

Since my Chicken Fried Rice, Take 2-- I have given into my urges to re-do other recipes that I wasn't perfectly happy with. Basically all my recipes in the beginning, because those photos just make me cringe. They do not showcase the food-- not sure why I kept using my iPhone :/ Plus, I think sometimes it's nice to make things again, and get a second go at it! One of my more popular posts is my Reese's Pieces Cupcakes. Obvious of course, I mean who does not love those bite size pieces of sheer yuminess stuffed into awesomeness! And, that recipe kinda holds a special place in my heart because it was my first post as Mrs. Wager :) The true start to this blog-- when I really started getting into cooking and not just baking and blogging on a more regular basis. And just like the fried rice-- this recipe was yummy to begin with but needed some twerks to make it perfect AND better pictures to showoff its deliciousness!

REESE'S PIECES CUPCAKES, TAKE 2

Inspired by the Original Reese's Pieces Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

Preheat Oven to 350F Degrees

FOR THE CUPCAKES
1 box of yellow cake mix (Duncan Hines is my favorite), sifted
3 large eggs
1/2 c. of butter (1 stick), melted 
1 c. of water
1/4 + 1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 c. of Reese's Pieces (split in 1/2)

FOR THE FROSTING
1 stick of butter, softened
3 1/2 c. of powdered sugar, sifted
2/3 c. cocoa powder, sifted
7-8 tbsp. heavy cream (or milk)

Reese's Pieces for decorating 

DIRECTIONS

For the Cupcakes:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, combine cake mix, eggs, butter, and water-- mix until well incorporated. Whisk in peanut butter. Then remove from the stand mixer and using a spatula, gently fold in 1/2 c. of Reese's Pieces. Make sure when mixing in the Reese's Pieces, to fold the pieces into the batter at the bottom of the bowl. Color will bleed slightly.

Line cupcake pan with liners. Using an ice cream scoop, fill each liner 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from oven and lace a few Reese's Pieces over each cupcake (about 5-8 Reese's Pieces per cupcake). Doing this 1/2 way through baking, will allow some Reese's Pieces to be visible after baking (not sinking into the batter), without it all being in the batter. Place back in oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.

For the Frosting:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter and powdered sugar. A dough like consistency will be reached at this point. Slowly mix in 4 tsbp. of heavy cream. Once a creamy consistency is reached, mix in cocoa powder. Again, a thicker consistency will be reached. For a smooth and creamy consistency (that will be easy for piping), mix in 3 tbsp. of heavy cream. If desired consistency is still not reached, add additional tbsp. of heavy cream. Pipe onto cupcakes and garnish with a Reese's Pieces.

Enjoy,
Chika