"S'Mores" Cupcakes

I have hesitated for a long time to make cupcakes. The few times in the past that I have tried, they haven't turned out well at all. But then I made some peanut butter ones a few weeks back that everyone seemed to enjoy, and thought, "Okay, maybe I can do this." The peanut butter ones were a little too dense for cupcakes, but their overall taste was good. Right now, in all honesty, I have no idea what makes a cake dense or fluffy. But as I start down this road of cupcake making- I aim to find out.


Anyways, I have been on Pinterest A LOT lately. And I do mean A LOT. Not just to browse, but with a purpose. I had several desserts I wanted/needed to make this weekend and I decided Pinterest was the place to look. There, I found this recipe-http://www.marthastewart.com/285211/toasted-marshmallow-cupcakes. It was almost like it screamed my name (well, maybe not quite:), but it certainly grabbed my attention and I pressed the link that sealed my fate. I decided right then and there that I HAD to make these things. Simply had to, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.


This recipe simply broiled a marshmallow on top of the cupcake. After "daydreaming" (as my sister insists I was doing)(maybe I was:-) about these things, I decided to improve on them slightly- layer graham cracker, chocolate bar, and then marshmallow before broiling. Come on, what's a s'mores without a graham cracker, right? RRiigghhtt?:)


So, after all of that, here's the recipe:

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
3/4 tsp vanilla

Marshmallows
Graham Crackers (approx. 2 crackers)
Chocolate bar


Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin/cupcake tins with liners or grease them.

Mix cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir in eggs, warm water, milk, sour cream, butter, and vanilla mixing until smooth.

Fill each muffin cup about 1/2 full, give or take a little. Bake until a toothpick, or other similar tool, comes out clean. Approx. 15-18 minutes.

Put oven on broil.

Break the graham crackers into small pieces and then place a piece on top of each cupcake. Then break the chocolate bar into pieces and place them on top of each graham cracker. And finally, place one marshmallow on top of each chocolate piece. NOTE: the recipe said to place the marshmallows on the cupcakes vertically, I found it easier to flatten them and stick it on- minimizing the chance of them falling off.

Do NOT leave the cupcakes alone under the broiler. You just want to brown the marshmallows which will happen very quickly. We are talking seconds. Once the marshmallows have browned, take out the pan and smash the marshmallows down.


These were really yummy. I would make them again and they weren't that hard either. Definitely a keeper. Enjoy!!

M&M Cookie Pie...Wait, Don't Forget the Peanut Butter

I have been going through this peanut butter phase. Peanut Butter cookies (they were REALLY good), Peanut Butter dip, and it seems like there was something else, but I forget.:) But now, a Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Pie. I soooo cannot wait to taste it.

I know several people who just love anything peanut butter, oh wait...I remember the other thing now- Peanut Butter cupcakes (I was told they were really good, too). Anyways, so I have no problem getting rid of these things when I make them. Because, trust me, I do have to get rid of them before I eat them all.

I originally found this recipe via Pinterest. It's original location is: http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/2010/04/04/sweetie-pie/

Since it is still in the oven as I write this, I have no earthly clue as to whether it tastes good or not. But, honestly, can you go wrong with this combination? I could be wrong, but I think not. I also made my own pie dough, which at one point in my life, I had said I would never do again. But, ya know what they say- never say never.

I used the recipe my mom has used for years. The recipe, as is, can probably make at least three pie crusts, so I halved it. That being said, it also freezes well.

This is the recipe.

4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup margarine

1 egg

water

1 teaspoon vinegar

Mix flour and salt. Cut margarine into flour with pastry blender till very fine (mine wasn't really all that fine). Mix enough water into egg to make 3/4 cup. Add vinegar. Add liquid to flour mix. Mix thoroughly.

This is the cookie recipe:

One 9-inch pie crust

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup AP flour

3 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup peanut butter M&M's (I used PEANUT M&Ms as I did not have peanut butter ones)

2/3 chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Roll out pie crust and put in greased pie pan. Crimp edge, if desired.In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, peanut butter, and butter, mixing well. Add eggs, vanilla, Peanut Butter M&M’s, and chocolate morsels. Transfer filling to prepared pie crust. Bake until firm in the middle, approximately 45 minutes.

NOTE: do not try judging its doneness by sticking something in the center. Only judge it by the firmness of the center.:)

PS. It was a hit!!!