Junk Food Cupcakes

This past weekend, I had a crazy idea.

Let me start by saying that many of my ideas are usually a bit harebrained. They don't always turn out as I had planned, but I still hope for the best. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

I wondered what would happen if I were to incorporate some favorite snack foods into a cupcake. I'm talking chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels, potato chips, candy, and soda. It probably doesn't sound very appetizing together as a whole and something the producers of Survivor or Big Brother would whiz in a blender and serve up to the contestants as a food challenge.

However, I gave it a go. I gave one to my MIL to try. She really enjoyed it. She told me she would swear if there weren't children around. This coming from a woman who doesn't swear. Or eat many sweets.

So sit back, nosh a cupcake, and enjoy the show.

The diet can wait until tomorrow.

JUNK FOOD CUPCAKES

CUPCAKES:

1 box Devil's Food Cake Mix - I used Betty Crocker.

3 eggs

½ cup butter, at room temperature

1 cup cola - I used Coca-Cola

¼ cup buttermilk or sour cream

2 cups crushed potato chips

CRUST:

2 cups pretzels, chopped finely

1 cup butter, melted

FILLING:

1 bag of Rolos or peanut butter cups. I suggest freezing them prior to using so the candy doesn't melt into the cupcake while baking.

FROSTING:

3 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ - ½ cup heavy cream
4 ounces (½ cup) unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare two 12 cup muffin tins with liners. Set aside.  

Using a food processor, grind pretzels to make 2 cups. In a small bowl, combine pretzels and butter. Place a teaspoon or so (just to cover) into the bottoms of cupcake liners.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, and butter and beat. Slowly add in cola and buttermilk and blend to combine, ensuring everything is well incorporated.

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop batter into liners on top of pretzels. Place a Rolo or peanut butter cup in the middle and cover.

 Sprinkle crushed potato chips over top.

Bake for 18-20 minutes. Mine took 18 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer onto wire racks to completely cool.

To make frosting:

In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar and peanut butter until creamy. Add vanilla, cream, and chocolate and beat until smooth.

Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes. I topped with a chocolate covered potato chip and very fine pretzel crumbs.

Yields: 24 Cupcakes.