Peanut Butter Cupcakes are a classic, but these Peanut "Boo"-ter Cupcakes take it to the next level with rich, nutty peanut butter and pumpkin spice, perfect for Halloween or fall gatherings.
Topped with a creamy peanut butter buttercream frosting and a sprinkle of orange sanding sugar, these cupcakes are a delightful treat that's both fun trick-or-treat worthy.
Why You'll Love This Peanut Butter Cupcakes Recipe
Background content: is this popular at certain times of year? Special holidays?
- Easy and Festive: This recipe uses a spice cake mix as a base, making it a breeze to whip these cupcakes up for any Halloween celebration.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of peanut butter, warm spices, and a pumpkin creates a unique and irresistible taste profile.
- Perfect for Halloween Parties: These cupcakes are not only delicious but also visually appealing with their festive orange sanding sugar topping.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: This recipe is a great activity to do with kids - they'll love helping you decorate the cupcakes and lick the beaters!
Ingredients Overview
Most of the ingredients for these cupcakes are already in your pantry. And, if they're not, it's super easy to get them. Note the size of the cake mix, as they have been 'shrinking' the packages at the grocery store lately. Some brands are only 13.75 oz.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Peanut Butter Cupcakes
These Peanut "Boo"-ter Cupcakes come together in two easy steps: whipping up a spiced peanut butter batter and crafting a rich and creamy peanut butter frosting.
The cupcake batter utilizes a convenient spice cake mix for a flavorful base, which is then jazzed up with peanut butter and pumpkin pie spice. Once the cupcakes are baked and cooled, a simple peanut butter buttercream frosting is prepared and piped on top, transforming these cupcakes into a delightful fall treat.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the spice cake mix, eggs, water, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice mix. Continue to mix total of 3 minutes.
- Scoop the batter with a measuring cup into the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, nothing sticking to it.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. (1-2hours)
- While waiting, In a large bowl, beat together the butter and powdered icing sugar for 2-3 minutes, then add the Peanut Butter. Beat to mix well together, then add the milk as needed.
- Scoop the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large circle tip.
- Swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes to form a thick line starting from the inside of the cupcake minutes, then add the Peanut Butter. Beat to mix well together, then add the milk as needed.
- Finally, sprinkle orange sanding sugar over the top of the swirl frosted cupcakes.
Peanut Butter Cupcake Serving Suggestions
Peanut Butter "Boo"-ter Cupcakes are perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or a spooky movie night treat. Pack them in lunchboxes for a fun and delicious surprise.
Serve them alongside a glass of milk for a complete and satisfying after school snack.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- Cake Mix Swap: Feel free to substitute another flavored cake mix, like chocolate or vanilla, for a different flavor profile.
- Frosting Options: You can also use a store-bought chocolate or vanilla frosting and sprinkle with Halloween sprinkles.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle some chocolate hard crack ice cream sauce on top of the swirled frosting. The hard crack will firm up like bits of candy.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this peanut butter cupcake recipe:
- For uniform cupcakes, fill each liner ¾ full of batter.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting before you decorate.
Storage Options
- Store leftover Peanut Butter "Boo"-ter Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can also make these cupcakes ahead of time and freeze them for up to 3 months in a plastic container.
Related Recipes
- Apple Cider Cupcakes Recipe
- Halloween Camouflage Fudge
- Halloween Brimstone Red Velvet Cookies
- Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies (2 Ways To Make)
- Christmas Tree Brownies
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe can be easily adapted to use your favorite homemade spice cake recipe.
A toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake should come out clean when the cupcakes are finished baking.
If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute sunflower seed butter or almond butter for the peanut butter.
Fun Halloween Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Ingredients
For Peanut 'Boo-ter' Cupcakes
- 1 box Spice Cake Mix
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup water
- ½ Cup Peanut Butter
- ½ Cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice mix or cinnamon
Peanut Butter Frosting
- ½ cup Butter softened
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- ½ Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Milk more if needed
Instructions
Peanut Butter Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the spice cake mix, eggs, water, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice mix. Continue to mix total of 3 minutes.1 box Spice Cake Mix, 3 eggs, ¾ cup water, ½ Cup Peanut Butter, ½ Cup pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice mix
- Scoop the batter with a measuring cup into the cupcake liners.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, nothing sticking to it.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. (1-2hours)
Peanut Butter Frosting
- While waiting, In a large bowl, beat together the butter and powdered icing sugar for 2-3 minutes, then add the Peanut Butter and vanilla extract. Beat to mix well together, then add the milk as needed.½ cup Butter, 4 cups Powdered Sugar, 1 cup Peanut Butter, ½ Vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon Milk
- Scoop the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large circle tip.
- Swirl the frosting onto the cupcakes to form a thick line starting from the inside of the cupcake minutes, then add the Peanut Butter. Beat to mix well together, then add the milk as needed.
- Finally, sprinkle orange sanding sugar over the top of the swirl frosted cupcakes.
Notes
- For uniform cupcakes, fill each liner ¾ full of batter.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting before you decorate.
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