Graduation Cupcakes

You'll need Reese's Peanut Butter cups, Airhead Xtremes, mini M&M's, and at first I bought Ghirardelli chocolate squares for the caps, but they were a little too big. So I made my own chocolate squares using chocolate candiquik.

I made the chocolate squares just how I made them for the cake pops with square molds. And you will need some of the melted chocolate to fasten everything together.

Peel the wrappers off of the Reese's, but it helps if you stick them in the freezer first. Then the chocolate won't stick to the wrappers. Cut the Airhead Xtremes into pieces, pop your chocolate squares out of the molds, and then you're ready to assemble your caps.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I tested out a recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes today for Kyle and Wesley's Engagement Party next weekend. I think they turned out pretty tasty, Hudson liked them that's for sure! They are very rich, but if you like chocolate and peanut butter then there's a pretty good chance you'll like them. I made chocolate cupcakes and filled them with a peanut butter filling by Martha Stewart. Then made a peanut butter cream cheese frosting for on top. To decorate them I chopped up Reese's peanut butter cups and sprinkled them on top of each one.

Hudson had fun helping me make the cupcakes. He placed all of the cupcake liners in the cupcake pans. Helped pour the measured ingredients into the bowls. Counted as I poured the batter into each liner. He frosted his own cupcake. And he had fun unwrapping all of the Reese's peanut butter cups.

Peanut Butter Filling:

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

 Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth. Transfer filling to a disposable pastry bag until ready to use.