wizard of oz: peanut butter cupcakes

Lily requested peanut butter cupcakes for Ruby's birthday. At first, I suggested chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. But after further thought, I decided to go with peanut butter cupcakes and peanut butter frosting.

This was the first time I've made peanut butter cupcakes and they were delicious. I loved the simplicity of peanut butter. It wasn't too sweet or over bearing.

Lily provided the Wizard of Oz decorations which kept it colorful and thematic.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 3/4 c. flour
1 c. milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter (Skippy's Creamy - the real deal)
1/4 c. shortening
1 tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
2 lg. eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin pans or use cupcake papers. Into a large bowl measure all ingredients. Using mixer, beat ingredients at low speed until blended. Increase speed to high and beat for 2 minutes. Spoon batter into pans and bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool before frosting. Makes 2 dozen cupcakes.

For the frosting (enough for 24 minis), I mixed a stick of softened butter, 3/4 c. of peanut butter, 3 tablespoons of almond milk, and 2 c. of powdered sugar.