Chocolate Coco-Cola Cupcakes

Reading this recipe had me really excited. I mean, when do you ever come across an awesome cupcake with Coco-Cola in it? Hardly ever! Adding peanut butter icing was a good choice since back in the 80's  there was an old tradition to put some salted peanuts to your Coke. Weird right? Well I tried it and it tasted surprisingly good. An explorer like me, I love trying new things and being a little curious. Follow me on this blog for more blog updates!

Yield: 12-14 cupcakes
                                                                 

1 cup Coca-Cola 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder4 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 tsp. plus 1/8  tsp. baking soda1/2  tsp. salt1 eggs

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a cupcake pan with baking papers.
2. In a small saucepan, heat Coca-Cola, cocoa powder, and butter over medium heat until butter is melted. Add sugars and whisk until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
4. In a small bowl, whisk egg until just beaten, then whisk them into the cooled cocoa mixture until combined. Gently stir flour mixture into cocoa mixture. 
5. Use a 1/4 cup measure to pour batter into the cupcake papers.  Bake cupcakes for 25 minutes or until cake springs back when pressed in the middle.
6. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. 

Salted peanut butter frosting:
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 tsp salt
3-4 tbsp. heavy cream
Sea salt for sprinkling
Chocolate jimmies
Ground salted peanuts

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter and salt.  Mix on low speed until just combined, then switch to high speed.  
2. Add heavy cream one tablespoon and beat until mixture is lightened and smooth.  Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped.  Pipe onto cooled cupcakes. 
3. Garnish with jimmies, ground peanuts and a sprinkling of sea salt.

Note: Diet cola CANNOT be used as a substitute for regular cola in this recipe.