These cupcakes are totally over-the-top! Inspired by the Snickers candy bar, they begin with the best-ever chocolate cupcake recipe (so easy to make! so moist!), are topped with a luscious peanut butter buttercream frosting, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and a sprinkling of crunchy peanuts. Your friends will ask for these again and again!
Happy Friday, food-loving friends! Yet another week has passed us by (hope yours was a good one!), and once again I’m closing it out on a high note, with cupcakes. 🙂
Over the Labor Day holiday last week, I whipped up a batch of these for a big get-together with friends, and they were a huge hit. It was actually the second time I had made them. The first time was over a year ago, for a birthday bash, and I foolishly neglected to take pics so I could post the recipe. But I absolutely adored them and haven’t forgotten them since, so today we rectify that situation.
What is your favorite candy bar? I have a few that I love. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, duh. I’m also a big Twix fan. Milky Ways are a super indulgent treat… Maybe you are picking up on a little bit of a theme here. I’m a huge lover of all things chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and crunchy. When I want all of those things in one? I’m all about the Snickers bar.
And when I want a dessert that’s going to knock everybody’s socks off, I make a batch of Snickers cupcakes. 😉
The cupcake base is MY FAVORITE. If you haven’t tried this chocolate cupcake recipe yet, I highly urge you to do so. It is hands-down the best. The chocolate flavor is so deep and rich. The texture is fluffy and moist, but not so overly soft that it can’t stand up to a generous amount of frosting. And the best thing of all is how easy they are to make. One bowl, people! This is my go-to, and it will undoubtedly be yours too.
We are topping them with the most incredibly peanutty peanut butter frosting. Everyone at the Labor Day bash was in love with the texture. It’s super fluffy and light, but rich at the same time. It’s because we take the extra time to cook the sugar down with egg whites, before whipping in the butter. The result is so super-smooth and silky.
The drizzle of salted caramel sauce and sprinkling of peanuts is what takes these cupcakes completely over-the-top! If you have people coming over this season to watch football, cook out, or have a little fall fire-pit action, this is the dessert you want to serve. I think it would also be fabulous for a birthday party or school bake sale!
Snickers Cupcakes
These cupcakes are totally over-the-top! Inspired by the Snickers candy bar, they begin with the best-ever chocolate cupcake recipe (so easy to make! so moist!), are topped with a luscious peanut butter buttercream frosting, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and a sprinkling of crunchy peanuts. Your friends will ask for these again and again!
Yield: 32 cupcakes
Ingredients:
- 4 egg whites
- 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 2/3 cup (2 sticks plus 5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
- 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 batch Simply Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes
- about 1/4 cup Simply Perfect Salted Caramel Sauce (completely cooled)
- about 1/2 cup roughly chopped salted roasted peanuts
Directions:
- Place the egg whites and sugar in a large metal mixing bowl and whisk together. Set the bowl over a small pot of simmering water, and heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture becomes translucent and no longer feels gritty when rubbed between the thumb and forefinger.
- Remove from heat and whip on high speed until the meringue becomes glossy and thick. Cool completely (there should be no hint of warmth when the hand is place on the side of the bowl. Place in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes, if necessary.) Add the butter, a tablespoon at a time, while whipping on medium-high. When all the butter has been added, fold in the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt.
- Transfer the buttercream to a pastry bag
fitted with a 4B tip
. Pipe swirls of frosting onto the cupcakes, top with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce, and sprinkle with peanuts.
When you have the right tools in your kitchen, it makes it super-simple to create show-stopping desserts. Here are a few of the items I used to create these cupcakes:
Everybody have a great weekend! xo
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Snickers are my hubs’ FAVORITE treat ever. And then in a cupcake form? These are going to get me some major brownie (or cupcake!) points when I make them for him! Pinned!
Lol right! Go for it, chica! Thanks so much and have a great weekend, Taylor!
These look awesome, Allie! I’ve been seeing all the Halloween candy bars in the stores and I REALLY want to buy them, but I’m trying not to because it’s September and I’m not ready for Halloween yet. Even though all I want is a big bag of mini snickers bars. I’m so conflicted. Ha! Hope you have a great weekend!
I say go ahead and indulge. Nobody ever said you can’t have some Halloween candy after your fresh and fabulous grilled summer veggie meal 😉
Allie, these cupcakes are out of this world! Loving the thick frosting, drizzle of caramel, and topping 🙂 Pinning!
Aw, thank you so much Medha! Hope you had a great week. Happy Friday!
Snickers happen to be my husbands favorite candy bar ever… like he always has at least one in the refrigerator. Candy bars aren’t really my thing since I am allergic to chocolate… sad. BUT I can’t wait to make these for him! I KNOW he will love these, plus give me control of the remote control if I surprise him with these bad boys! Pinned!
Allergic to chocolate? That is truly a travesty. But I bet these would be good on a vanilla cupcake too! Or peanut butter! You are so nice to to want to make them for your hubby, even if you do have an ulterior motive 😉
I’m so with you when it comes to favorite candy bars – peanut butter cups, snickers, and twix are all killer! My husband has a slight addiction to snickers, so we can’t really keep any in our house 😉 These cupcakes look amazing. That peanut butter frosting sounds spectacular. I bet I could eat it straight up with a spoon!
Totally! You could and I did 😉 So happy you like these, Aida! Thank you so much for the great comment. Have a great weekend!
I want to reach through the screen and take one of those cupcakes. Snickers have always held a special place in my heart. It’s my favorite! I cannot wait to sink my teeth into these cupcakes!
Aw, yay! So happy you like them, Jen! Thanks so much for the awesome feedback!
Whoa, these cupcakes look incredible, Allie! Love the peanut butter buttercream frosting!
Thanks Jessica! I think that frosting was everyone’s favorite part 🙂
No way! I am totally in the middle of making a ‘snickers’ themed recipe too! These cupcakes look incredible! I am a sucker for all things caramel and peanut butter and chocolate – WANT!
Too funny Jess! Great minds think alike, lol! Thanks so much dear and good luck with your recipe!
Allie, this is why I love you. . Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Snickers have my heart. I love these cupcakes!
Aw, thank you so much Alice! How could they not??
The problem is I like way too many candy bars haha!!! These cupcakes are absolutely STUNNING Allie! LIke, almost too pretty to eat… almost 😉
Honestly I do too. I guess I will just have to figure out how to make a cupcake for all of them! Thank you so much Chris!
What pretty cupcakes! I’m not a huge fan of candy bars, but in cake form?? yes please! Just love the caramel drizzle on top!
Thank you so much June! Hope you have a great week, dear!
These cupcakes look just GREAT, Allie! And I also love that beautiful metal surface!
Thank you so much Nicole! The surface is new- a gift from a dear friend 🙂
Over the top is the only way to go! I’ve been wanting to try a new dessert for my brother who just loves snickers and these look perfect! And ditto everyone else, the surface looks fantastic. Your photos belong in a magazine Allie!
You are too kind Mary Frances! Thank you so much for your sweet compliments. My heart is warm!
I love Snicker bars so these cupcakes I right up my alley! 🙂
Yay! So glad you like them Johlene! Thanks so much for reading and for the great feedback!
Allie, you deserve a gold star! These cupcakes look dreamy and fun to make. I’m sure every bite is heavenly!
Thank you so much Linda! They were a lot of fun and everyone seemed to really enjoy. Hope you are having an awesome week, girlfriend!
These cupcakes look so fantastic! I love snickers ice cream bars they are my favorite dessert! Although, these may be my NEW favorite!
Oh my gosh those ice cream bars! Totally the bomb. So happy you like the cupcakes too! Thanks so much for reading and for the comment too!
Hi Allie, are you on a cupcake kick? Cause I am loving it 🙂 and when you say snickers, I jump and start licking my screen, I know weird, but these cupcakes look incredibly gorgeous! Have a nice week girl!
I kinda am, and I’m kinda loving it too 😉 So glad you like these Katalina! Thanks so much for the great feedback and the warm wishes. Right back atcha!
These cupcakes are gorgeous, Allie! Snickers are my husband’s favorite along with Reese’s PB cups 🙂 I love how over-the-top and decadent these are! So fun and dreamy-licious!
Thank you so much Kelly! We all enjoyed them so much. Hope you are having a great week, sweetie! xo
Milky ways are my jam but I wouldn’t turn down a snickers bars. Love how deep and rich these cupcakes look.
Milky Ways are so good! I love them too. Thanks so much, Nicole!
Allie, you are KILLING me here! These look gorgeous in every way (and now I want to top every cupcake in the world with candy–though Snickers would be at the top of the list 😉
So glad you like them Amy! They are pretty much the ultimate dessert for me 🙂
Oh my goodness! You’re almost making me feel ill with desire for these cupcakes! What a fabulous idea to replicate the flavour of a classic Snickers bar in a cake. I only wish you lived near enough for me to invite you to a party … and ask you to bring these along!
Girl if you invited me to a party I would definitely bring the cupcakes. That needs to happen, btw! Hope your week is off to a great start, Helen!
Whoa, over the top is right, but in the best kind of way. I can see why these were a huge hit at your gathering. I would have stole off with one in each hand. Pinned.
Omg I totally wanted to, lol! Thanks so much Jennie! Have a great week hon!
Hi,
Could you make these with a cake mix? Also, would it be too much to add a peanut butter cup into the middle of the cupcake? My daughter’s 3rd birthday party is this weekend(actual is tomorrow), and my husband and I want to make 2 different types of cupcakes, this being 1! I like to cook, but I am NOT a baker. Oh boy am I not! I think a cake mix would be easiest for us, but would that be bad?
Totally up to you, Kim! I haven’t tried it myself, but it sounds delicious! Good luck and I hope you enjoy 🙂
HI I found your recipe on Pinterest. I am doing a Round Up blog post later in March for National Chocolate Caramel Day (the 19th) and am interested in including this recipe in that round up. I would like to use a picture from the post, with links back to your site/this post. I would promote it on my all my social media platforms and would share the link with you so that you could do the same if you wish. If you are not interested, I understand, I will not use your post/images without your permission.
Thank you for your time.
Thanks so much Becky! I would be honored to be a part of your roundup. Feel free to grab an image. I appreciate the link back!
Thank you so much! I will be sure to share the link with you when it’s done! Have a great week!!
You too Becky!
I’m a little late with this comment, but I made these last weekend and they were the biggest hit! I’ve always made cupcakes from boxed mixes because I’ve never been able to get the taste or texture right when I bake them from scratch, but these had the perfect taste and texture. Mine got a little dense overnight, but that was my fault. I overbaked them by a few minutes.
The frosting was also amazing, but the real showstopper was the salted caramel sauce! It took me two batches to get it right (I let the first one get too dark), but people were so impressed that I made it myself. So good!
Aw that’s so great Jackie! Thank you so much for swinging back to leave feedback. I’m so happy you liked the recipe and hey- isn’t that salted caramel the bomb???
Hi! Can u give the recipe of Eggless version of this cupcakes?
Hey Sheetal! I don’t really have an eggless version of this recipe, however, I used a flax egg when I made these Vegan Chocolate Muffins (https://bakingamoment.com/double-chocolate-crumb-muffins/) and it worked really well! So I would suggest substituting the 4 eggs called for with 1/4 cup of ground flax soaked in a little more than 1/2 cup of water. Let it soak for a good 5-10 minutes so it has a chance to get nice and gelled. Good luck and let me know how it works out for you!
Hi. I am not sure which one to buy
Unsalted peanut butter or salted one
Hey Kamila! I honestly don’t think it matters all that much. Just use whichever you prefer, I’m sure it will be delicious!