Cupcakes have taken the US by storm over the last few years.  Cupcake cookbooks, whole blogs dedicated to cupcakes, and of course, cupcake bakeries. They are everywhere!  (There are three cupcake bakeries within 5 mile radius of my house alone-I rest my case)  Really, what isn’t there to like about a cupcake or a cupcake bakery? A single serving of cake in whatever flavor suits your liking, not your husband’s or your son’s, YOUR flavor of choice.  My husband’s favorite–yellow cake with chocolate frosting.  My son–depends on his mood–but if there is one with pink frosting–game on! Mine–chocolate with white frosting. When you make a cake at home everyone has to eat whatever flavor the entire cake is and seeing that we don’t have the same taste in cake…. a cupcake makes everyone happy (at least most of the time).  Today, I ran into a cupcake dilemma.  My son was at birthday party and unfortunately we had to leave early, before the cake!! My son was devastated!  When we got in the car, I promised him I would make him cupcakes when we got home.  I gave him the choice and he wanted a white cupcake with chocolate frosting.  Uggh…probably my least favorite cupcake combination, but I promised.  I did make his with chocolate frosting, but I decided to try a different combination for my husband and I to enjoy.  White cupcakes with peanut butter salted caramel frosting!

White cupcakes with Peanut Butter Salted Caramel Frosting

Cake:

1 box White Cake mix

3 eggs

1/3 C. oil

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 C. whole milk

1/2 greek yogurt

Peanut Butter Frosting:

1/2 C. Butter, softened

1/2 C. smooth peanut butter

3 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3  C. powdered sugar

Garnish:

Chopped Salted Peanuts and

Caramel Ice Cream topping

Coarse salt (I use Maldon)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners. In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl combine eggs, oil, vanilla extract, milk, yogurt and cake mix.  Mix on medium speed until combined. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake for 16-22 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.

Frosting: Beat butter and peanut butter. Add milk and vanilla extract and beat again. Slowly add powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.

Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and drizzle with caramel, chopped peanuts and sprinkle with salt.