St. Patrick’s Day is coming and I plan to celebrate with 3 fingers of Bushmill’s (1 ice cube, please) and a big ‘ole batch of Guinness Crinkle Cookies. Hells yeah!
There are so many things to consider when you think, “What shall I cook or bake for St. Paddy’s Day, this year?” Read More…
With all the personal work, school work, Clabber Girl work and volunteer work I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. I’ve been busy before but for some reason, I’m not handling it so well this time around. Read More…
I have missed you guys. I’m serious…#forreal. We could squabble about why I was away for so long, but it is of no consequence. I have returned, this time with No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie. Read More…
I love peanut butter. I really, really do. However, I feel like my love of peanut butter hasn’t been properly acknowledged on this blog and I need to rectify that. Well, there’s the No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake I made a bit ago, but that’s not enough. I give you the mini peanut butter pound cake.
First, let’s consider the regular-sized peanut butter pound cake.
Fact#1: It’s awesome.
Fact#2: It’s made of peanut butter and there’s nothing wrong with that. Ok?
Fact#3: It’s gloriously huge which is perfect when you’re feeding a hungry crowd.
But…what if you’re not feeling the 1 hr bake time? What if you don’t need to feed 24 people. What if you want it perfectly portioned so you can grab one in the morning and pretend like you’re having a “healthy-breakfast-on-the go”?
Well, what then?
Well, then you pull out this lovely recipe, my friends. It makes 12 perfectly portioned mini peanut butter pound cakes. Dip them in a silky peanut butter glaze. Sprinkle them with mini chocolate chips and admire their beauty. And when you’re finished you can share them with your friends or stuff them all in your face.
Spray a 12 cup square or standard muffin pan with baking spray
Place peanut butter and butter in a bowl and mix until no flecks of butter remain (2 min)
Add sugar and mix until thoroughly combined (5 min)
Add eggs and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined. Batter will have a silky texture.
Divide batter evenly in the 12 cup square muffin pan. (I used a size 16 scoop)
Place pan on the middle rack.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the top of the cake are golden brown. If testing with a toothpick, it should come out clean.
Let cakes cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove to rack.
Glaze completely cooled cakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
Notes
To make the glaze: Combine the powdered sugar, peanut butter, milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until you have a smooth consistency. Dip cakes in the glaze and let the extra run off. Sprinkle cakes with mini chocolate chips before the glaze sets.
Well…it’s my birthday tomorrow, so…I’m feeling pretty good right about now. It may be the second Jack and Coke I’ve ingested, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m going to go with that warm, comforting sensation currently residing in my belly.
Let’s celebrate!
I baked a cake, not because it’s my birthday. I mean, no one should have to bake their own birthday cake, but because I’ve got great news. Our audition with Clabber Girl went very well. They loved our food styling and photography which means we have more work to do.
Ok, that came out wrong. Don’t get it twisted, I’m super-excited to have more work from Clabber Girl because 1) It’s absolutely lovely to find that someone truly admires your work and b) it’s even better when that someone is going to pay you to do it. What?!
So, I baked myself an easy dark chocolate cake.
This cake is just lovely, chocolaty and super moist. Also, it comes together easily which is always a plus (only used 1 measuring cup and my food processor). It’s fantastic when paired with a straightforward vanilla buttercream, but almost any frosting would compliment its simplicity.
As you can see, I had no problem cleaning my plate.
Now, then…back to my birthday. It’s time for Jack and Coke, Round 3.
Place flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder and sugar in food processor.
Pulse for about 30 seconds to sift and combine dry ingredients.
Mix wet ingredients in a measuring cup.
While food processor is running, pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Make sure to scrape down sides.
Pulse until fully combined.
Divide batter evenly amongst the pans.
Bake on middle rack for 22-25 minutes (try not to open the oven door until the 20 minute mark).
Check cake with a toothpick, it should have just a few crumbs.
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes and then remove to rack.
Frost completely cooled cakes, as desired.
Notes
Vanilla Butter Cream: Mix 2¼ cups of powdered sugar with ½ cup of unsalted butter until light and fluffy (about 3min). Add 1 tsp vanilla and 1-2 tsp of heavy cream. Mix for another minute. Fill and frost completely cooled cake layers.