Wednesday, January 14, 2015

“Mom, These Cupcakes Are the Best Thing Ever!”


These Buckeye cupcakes are SO good!” Those were the words of my son, when he got home from school yesterday. I consider that pretty high praise, coming from a teenage boy who usually consumes an unbelievable amount of calories each day without much comment. He had two of the cupcakes in his lunch today, and I didn't count how many he ate this afternoon. Oh, how I envy his active teenage athletic metabolism!

I usually am the toughest critic of my own cooking, but I have to admit, these cupcakes I mentioned in my post yesterday really are a winner. I have had my share of flops while experimenting in the kitchen - but what cook hasn't? This time, however, I nailed it!

These cupcakes don't require much skill to make, although they are a little labor intensive as you must make the Buckeye candies first. I usually prefer to bake cakes from scratch and prepare my own icing, but my shortcut of using a cake mix and “doctored-up” store-bought frosting saved a lot of time - and didn't hurt the results at all.





Even if the Buckeyes hadn't won the 2015 College Football National Championship game, I think perhaps these cupcakes would still have made my family smile. An Oregon Ducks fan might even like them. (Perhaps by applying the peanut butter and chocolate frosting just half-and-half across the top of the cupcakes, instead of how I've suggested, they wouldn't have quite as much Buckeye character!) 


Whatever pattern you decide upon for the frosting, I hope that you enjoy them too!


Susan's Buckeye Cupcake Recipe

(makes 24 - 36 cupcakes)


Ingredients:

15 oz. chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 1/4 cup water
24 - 36 Buckeye candies (see recipe on the most - - of every moment, by clicking here)
2 cups Duncan Hines Cream classic chocolate frosting (or any deep chocolate-colored frosting)
1 cup Duncan Hines Cream cheese frosting (or any cream cheese frosting)
4 TBSP peanut butter
1 - 2 TBSP cocoa (optional)

I didn't have a lot of time, so I took a few shortcuts (cake mix and store-bought icing) when making these cupcakes.  The result was delicious - but if you prefer, feel free to substitute your favorite cake and icing recipes.


Cake and Filling Directions:

  • Make cake mix according to the directions, using first 4 ingredients.
  • Place 24 -36 paper cupcake liners in muffin tins and cover the bottom of each with cake batter

  • Drop a Buckeye candy into each paper liner. (This will be the cupcake “filling.”)


  • Add cake batter on top, covering each candy and filling cupcake liners about 2/3 full.
  • Bake cupcakes 15 - 18 minutes until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes.
  • Gently take cupcakes out of metal tins and allow to cool completely.


Frosting Directions:

  • Add peanut butter to cream cheese frosting and mix well.  Use chocolate frosting as purchased or sift in a little additional cocoa (mix well) for a darker color if desired.

  • Form flat 3/4 inch discs of icing and lay one in the center of each cupcake.


  • Using a narrow metal spatula, carefully place chocolate frosting around each disc, completely covering rest of the top of the cupcake.  


  • When finished, cupcake should resemble the top of an oversized Buckeye tree nut.


I would suggest serving these with a tall glass of cold milk - and a fork because they can be a little messy!


We are an OSU Buckeye family, but I love Tillamook ice cream from Oregon.
What flavor of ice cream would you serve with these cupcakes?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!


22 comments :

  1. Wow. We very rarely eat cup cakes (or icecream) but these could be an exception.
    And, if a teenage boy, says best ever, pat yourself firmly on the back. An accolade to wear with pride.

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    1. I'm lucky - my son and his friends are good about giving compliments!

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  2. I've been a fan of these cupcakes since I saw them on the previous post. I've been waiting just to pin this post!
    They look delish. Thanks for the recipe. =0)

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    1. Glad you want the recipe Kim - let me know what you think!

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  3. Definitely high praise indeed! Thanks for sharing these - they look so good, and I know everyone in my house would love them (even if they were rooting for the Ducks :)!

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    1. Just frost them so they don't resemble a buckeye ....

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  4. Oh my family is going to love these! I didn't even have to wait. It looks like I'll be breaking out the buckeyes early this year because there is no way I'm waiting to try these out. I'm babysitting both babies this Saturday might be a great thing to have handy for the added burst of energy!

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  5. Wow, they look great. Pinned them :)

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    1. Thanks!! My son just told me he at FIVE of them today! (Good thing he is an active guy!)

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  6. Wow, they certainly look delicious! I've never had buckeye candy before. Found you over at the SITs girls.

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    1. Hi Melissa Thanks for stopping by. I remember reading some of your articles when we were both publishing on Yahoo Contributor Network! Nice to see you here. Heading over to check out your profile!

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  7. Replies
    1. That seems to be the opinion of everyone who has eaten one!

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  8. These look totally amazing! Thanks so much for linking up to Awesome Life Friday - I hope you'll come back again this week!

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    1. Thanks for hosting the Awesome Life linkup Lynda - and yes, I will be back! :)

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  10. These cupcakes look so good. I'm such a peanut butter lover! I'm also my biggest critic. If I get a "MMMM" from my 3-year-old I know I've made an awesome recipe. lol I don't mind a recipe that is labor intensive especially if it involves peanut butter. Thanks for bringing it to the Sunday's Recipe Wrap-up!

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    1. Thanks for hosting Miranda - I think the Sunday Recipe Wrap-up is a great idea! Judging by the recipes on your blog, my guess is that you get quite a few "mmmm's" from that little 3l-year old!

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