Fluffernutter Cupcakes

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1 pinch cream of tartar
• 1 pinch salt
• chocolate-covered peanuts, chopped
• creamy peanut butter

Recipe

• 1 make the cake: preheat the oven to 350°. line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
• 2 in a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
• 3 in a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the sugar with the eggs and vanilla extract at medium-high speed until smooth and thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. add the butter and oil and beat until incorporated, scraping the bottom and side of the bowl. add the dry ingredients and milk in 3 alternating batches, beating well between additions. carefully pour the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling them about two-thirds full.
• 4 bake the cupcakes in the center of the oven for 20 to 23 minutes, until springy and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. let the cupcakes cool slightly in the muffin tin, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• 5 meanwhile, make the frosting: in a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar with the water and bring to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.
• 6 in a large bowl of a standing electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the pinches of cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form.
• 7 with the mixer at medium speed, carefully pour the hot sugar syrup into the egg whites. continue beating the frosting until cool and billowy, about 5 minutes.
• 8 mix the frosting with the chocolate covered peanuts and peanut butter to taste, spread on cooled cupcakes and serve.