PB & J Cupcakes (Peanut Butter and Jelly)

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C fan/375°F/gas 5. Sift the dry cupcake ingredients and 1 pinch of fine sea salt into a large bowl, add the butter, eggs and peanut butter, then beat for 60 seconds with an electric mixer (I prefer the free-standing type). Pour in the milk and whisk for 20 seconds, or until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, then give the mix a final blast for 30 seconds to make sure it’s all incorporated. Fill the paper cases two-thirds full with mixture, but don’t bother to smooth it out. Bake for 20 minutes, or until they spring back when touched. Leave to cool slightly, transferring to a wire cooling rack after 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the peanut crumb. Place the peanut butter in a food processor, sift in the icing sugar and whiz for 1 to 2 minutes to make small,delicious crumbs, then set aside.

For the icing, beat the butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer for 5 to 6 minutes, or until pale and fluffy. Sift the icing sugar into a large bowl, then add to the butter in two stages, beating well between each. Pour in the milk and beat for a further 3 to 5 minutes, or until well combined. Once the cupcakes are cool, poke a hole into the middle of each with a chopstick, twist to widen the hole, then use a piping bag to fill each one with a good squeeze of jam. Decorate with the icing, top with a blob of jam, if you like, and a sprinkling of peanut crumb to finish, then enjoy.

Note : Feel free to use smooth or crunchy peanut butter – whichever you prefer. If you wish to do things the easier way, you can opt for the Morgan Cupcake Maker