Behold!

If I weren't too lazy to go upstairs, get the digital camera, then find the stupid cord to download the photos, I wouldn't have to capture this with my BlackBerry.  Regardless, behold the peanut butter bomb cupcake:

 

Fletch said he'd bring cupcakes to work if I wanted to experiment with other recipes, so I made Martha's one-bowl chocolate cupcakes and the frosting from her peanut butter and jelly cupcakes. 

The cakes were gorgeous - dark and glossy and really moist.  However, the frosting wasn't nearly sweet enough.  Basically, it just tasted like peanut butter and I assume the big drop of jelly on top is what makes them tasty.  (Martha did warn us about mixing and matching her various cupcake components.)  

So, I cut the cake open, put the pb frosting as-is in the middle, reassembled and topped with buttercream and then used an equal mix of buttercream and peanut butter mixture to make a pb-buttercream swirl on top of that. 

Fletch assures me they are magnificent.  I can't personally vouch for them because I can't eat another goddamned cupcake, possibly ever.  Apparently you can get enough of a good thing. 

FYI, are you aware that baking cupcakes is an excellent way to procrastinate writing a keynote address?

Now you know.

Comments

[the governor of jennsylvania]

Seriously, the idea of eating a cupcake right now turns my stomach. This is kind of like the time in college when I had to sell a box of 50 super-sized Kit-Kats (my favorite at the time.) We had to pay for them up front and then when we sold them, we'd ostensibly pay ourselves back. Let's just say that two weeks and 30 bars later, my love affair with Kit-Kats ended, never to be rekindled again.

[Sheila]

That, Jen, is cupcaketopia. All you need are some flecks of bacon and banana and you have yourself the perfect food.

[Charo]

I love your books and I cannot wait for Pretty in Plaid. Your honesty about yourself is so refreshing and your sense of humor is fantastic. The chemistry between you and your husband reminds me alot of me and mine. I just discovered your website and I love it just as much as your books. A co-worker of mine just stared reading Such a Pretty Fat (yeah, I know, we are reading them out of sync but thats okay) and I've got her hooked. Hope to see you in a New York B&N.

[Wynne]

Most New Year's Resolutions don't involve cupcakes. Only you, Jenn! You are hilarious! Have fun working off all that frosting. I know I will! (NOT) LOL

[Kristina]

Kudos on the cupcakes! They look delicious!
I started a cake decorating class last week and am enjoying every minute of it. Baking is another outlet for my creativity flow. So, I encourage you to experiment all you want with those cupcakes and have fun making them. =)

[Sandy]

I heart your books AND I heart cupcakes. If your next book has a chapter on cupcakes I'll be the happiest chubby girl in B&N. Also, please address the following:

"It is what it is"

Who made up this phrase? If it is what it is then it just IS and it doesn't warrant a comment, right? I need a fellow grammar nazi to chime in.
Thanks & keep blogging...and baking (blaking?)

[Rachael]

I so love your blog--I can't believe it's the danged cupcake entry that finally prompted me to write...

If you're really sick of cupcakes, try marshmallows:

http://tinyurl.com/ambr7n

I found this book around New Year's, and have made a few different batches. The best? Honey marshmallows with candied ginger and a spice coating. Mmmmm. The neat thing is, they look really hard to make, and are so easy.

[gina]

yum yum

:)

[Mary Lou]

I have been too lazy to make Martha's cupcakes, but I am keeping the magazine on the kitchen counter in case I get motivated.

[Kelly]

I have recently bought a cupcake display thingy from Crate and Barrel. I am now off to buy the appropriate Martha Stewart cookbook. I have a lot of time on my hands.

[socalgirl]

Jen, Quick! STEP AWAY FROM THE CUPCAKES!

I know from experience that this "hobby" is the fastest way to add many, many calories to your daily intake. If Fletch only ate 5, that left 25 - 30 for you and the dogs? ...I imagine you did not just taste a bit of frosting?! No?

Don't get me wrong, I am so proud of your new accomplishment! They look delicious, and very professional, my only concern is for the next time you have to go see Barbie and realize how much work you will have to do to burn off one little cupcake!

I too am a "comfort baker" and it is my biggest downfall...I know from trying to lose the same 15 lbs over and over again for the past few years... having baking supplies around is not a good thing, and cupcakes are so cute and harmless looking...but they WILL end up all over your thighs and backside...believe me I know.

[J.J.]

I love cupcakes too! My favourite is actually a recipe from the Jif website (I thought they were gourmet when I had them):

http://www.jif.com/Recipes/Details.aspx?recipeID=4793

They have mini Reese peanut butter cups inside, and the peanut butter frosting is light and incredibly delicious! :)

[Wendy]

Aren't you afraid your PB cubcakes will get recalled?

[Tamara]

OK Martha....time to get cracking on your next book. By the way....I would like to see a countdown on how many days to your new book comes out! Can't wait.

[Eva]

It's February and you still have a Christmas wreath on your door. Classic.

[Kris]

So I just finished "Such a Pretty Fat" and have decided that you are my new best friend. In my head. And now I am going to Barnes and Noble to buy all of your books, just because we're friends and that's what friends do for each other. Word.

Also, stop taunting me with cupcakes. That is not a friendly thing to do.

[Deena]

great!...now all I'm gonna be able to think about is cupcakes!...I have a monstrous amount of weight to lose and I can't be thinking about cupcakes...moist, sweet, scrumptous cup.......crap! I think I need a meeting.

[Domestic Goddess (In Training)]

I must start making my own ice cream now. If its true that you can get sick of something so wonderful... I better get started!

[val]

The Cupcake looks delish - but your rocking refrigerator in the background (is that a Viking?) is to die for.

http://www.firstclasstohell.com

[Jessica Holland]

I loved that Martha Stewart Living. How cute. I absolutely suck at icing cupcakes so I use a piping bag and a star tip and everyone just has a fit when really they are nothing special. Happy Baking!

[DanceMom]

Wow! Amazing cupcakes! I love cup cakes. They are little slices of heaven! The poking the hole in them to fill them works very well.

I am procrastinating right now!

You have such a huge readership Jen that I hardly ever get to comment before you have closed them. You rock Jen! I had all kinds of witty things to tell you and I'm so shocked that I got in I can't remember them! And you never did tell us how that reading went!

[Kathy]

Jen-
First time poster, long time reader... Awesome looking shot of the cupcake considering it was taken with a Blackberry. I LOVE taking pics of my food. I just posted a cupcake article on my food blog. We had these HUGE cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop for our Super Bowl party. Not sure if you have them out by you, but if there's no time to bake, they have 29 different ones to choose from! Check them out: http://thebellyspot.blogspot.com

[DodiM]

Just stay away from Cupcake Cakes.

(www.cakewrecks.com Funniest site on the web)

[Amy O]

You need to go to Iron Cupcakes Blog. They have monthly competitions up in Milwaukee. Last month it was breakfast. Someone made a Bloody Mary cupcake that was yummy. Here is the link: http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/

[Jodie]

Holy peanut buttery goodness, batman! That looks delish!

I just finished reading that magazine yesterday and plan on baking my ass off this weekend.

How many WW points in those cupcake? About 4000, I'm sure! But well worth it!

[LJ]

So pretty. Definitely proof that the extra effort on the materials and "quality testing" any batter along the way really *does* pay off!

[Sheri]

Since making cupcakes is now your thing, are you planning on making them for your friends and fans while on your book tour???

I think you should, although my ass just got two sizes bigger from just looking at the damned cupcake.

[Miss Amy]

What you are about to check out is my secret weapon for anything. It's beautiful and delish! Really good with PB icing.

http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=4754&page=1&per=25&category_id=13&classics=1&CategoryPage=true#content_area

[Kristen]

I'm little scared that you bake now. Props to the lady who made the funny remark about her audi.

[jen]

I am too blinded by your excellent refrigerator to even notice that cupcake.

[Corey]

Jen you NEED to try the cupcake bites. THEY can be your thing's THING. They are so darned cute and YUMMY.

http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/05/cupcake-bites-made-easy.html

[Kali]

holy cats. that cupcake makes my heart so happy. yumm. i've actually been on a cupcake kick too lately! last week i made boston creme cupcakes, which were a rousing success. really easy, too.

don't know so much about a keynote address, but they certainly do the trick if you have a test to study for! who cares about midterms when you have sweet, creme-filled goodness to distract you? no one, that's who.

[Akjaw]

You have not even begun to understand the level of procrastination that can ensure thanks to cupcakes. Let me enlighten you, oh great one. I have literally made cupcake baking last for days (FINALS WEEK). Go to the store and purchase food coloring. Divide your frosting and color each blob a different color. Because i am a poor college student i use zip lock bags as my frosting applicator and i begin to draw pictures. I personally enjoy themes. For example i once designed cupcakes to replicate a game of beer pong and strategically placed them on our ping pong table for a more realistic experience. (Granted i almost had to install a hidden camera in order to keep my creation from being destroyed by unappreciative roommates who thought i had actually made cupcakes to eat not display). So next time you need to use up some of your work day annnd you have a theme party to attend- put on your crafty pants and make some pretty pictures on your cakes.

[Alison]

When you come to Mpls for the Plaid book tour I will totally take you to Cupcake Cafe (http://www.cup-cake.com/) where you can get pretty much any flavor cupcake you desire - just browsing the website makes my mouth water! I LOVE your new "thing"!

[Meagan]

Funny, I've been on a total cupcake trip for several weeks. We have several "cupcake stores" in our town that neighbors were raving about and I wanted to show them up...and I did! I made Martha's cupcakes (eh, not the best but good) but I'm moving on to Magnolia Bakery's recipe to see how that one goes. Martha's icing wasn't buttery enough for me. I was so obsessed with the tiny cakes last week that I bought the Cupcake Courier too! My husband rolled his eyes since of course "we are on a budget we can't buy anything...except stuff I want"...but he forgave me after the first bite of Martha's Valentine's cupcakes - the little ones that look like Hostess Cupcakes! Thanks Jen for having a cupcake obsession too and making me feel better!

[Wendy]

Martha Stewart is a godsend and procrastination is okay if you plan it ahead of time. ^^*

[Kim P.]

You are my HERO. I'm on your 2nd book and loving it. Thus, I get slightly irritated when I am unreasonably torn away from it for such friviolities as making dinner for my husband or working. Therefore, when I discovered your blog today, it occurred to me that I could sit at my computer all day (and night...especially during Sports Center!) pretending to do work WHEN I AM ACTUALLY READING what is, in effect, an extended and perpetual new book! I have never read a blog before, thus this new discovery, for me, is right up there with cookie dough in a tube and hair straighteners! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU. You rock! (But you already knew that, huh?)

[Molly]

Procrastinating my ass. You are just premature on posting all your recipes for your bake book! ;)

"Calories That Count! with by-line:

The Countess Takes The Crown With Creative Cupcakes"

[Kristin]

Having commented yesterday regarding writing about cupcakes (both of us) and now seeing your yumminess on screen, I went to devour the left over birthday cupcake of my moms. She sent home two (allegedly for my two girlie-q's). What I found was that Hubby-O-Mine ate them BOTH! Now how am I supposed to satisfy this damned craving that you instilled in me? What's up, Jen? Trying to drive me crazy?

[Carrie]

Looks to me like you just made up your own famous cupcake! Probably pretty yummy too, I'd imagine. They remind me of something we call "boner bars" which is basically a layer of brownie, peanut butter "fluff" (powdered sugar, vanilla, butter and pb), and then a layer of melted chocolate.

NOT low cal. Not even by a long shot, hence the name.

[Michel]

You may have just stolen our new diet plan: CakeSick.

You're currently in the midst of the effects with the "I'll never eat a cupcake again..." but alas, that fades (trust me, I'm an expert).

What we need is for science to get on this and make a pill that will extend the cakesickness....

Of course, your new "cupcake thing" might be temporarily impacted. 'Tis for the common good though.

[Marta]

You can fill cupcakes without cutting them up by using a pastry bag! Just poke into them with the tip and fill, then ice the tops! Everyone will be impressed!
Cream filling:
1/4 c flour
1 c milk
cook till thick, then let cool
1 c sugar
1 c crisco
beat till fluffy
add first mixture and some vanilla to second mixture, beat at high speed till fluffy, put in pastry bag and fill away!

[Alana]

you should make some irish car bomb cup cakes
http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/01/car-bomb-cupcakes/
they look amazing!

[Denise]

Tupperware makes every single thing you could ever want (and many that you don't): http://tinyurl.com/aml4pz

[HeatherErin]

If you have not visited CakeWrecks (at http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ ) then you have not seen the hell that cupcakes can be.

Who would have thought that such innocent morsels of tasty cakeness could be converted to the dark side? Oh, but they can. And they have sprinkles. Eeeeevil sprinkles!

[Krystin]

I did NOT know that baking cupcakes was a good way to procrastinate writing a keynote address.

I did learn, though, that baking cupcakes is an EXCELLENT way to avoid writing a thesis, due on February 25. Inspired by you, and not by my paper, I baked with an enthusiasm not recently seen. Didn't write a damn word. But I did THINK about my paper while I whisked and sifted. That has to count for something. Right?

[GinnyP]

I just have to post again today - I found this blog because I picked up Bright Lights, Big A$$ at Costco yesterday and I am now "Hooked on Jen". I will be going to Borders tonight after work - (where I've gotten nothing done today but read this blog, but that's another story) - to purchase your first two books (gift cards are a GOOD thing!).

Back to why I had to post a second time - now instead of just drooling at the thought of cupcakes, I am praising whichever Diet God is on my side today.
I am totally STARVING after reading the Food Porn Post (aka Your List of Five Foods that are your Kryptonite that are surely guaranteed to make the next reader to come along so hungry they are ready to go postal on the vending machine in the breakroom because they have no change and the change only light is now flashing), but the good news is I don't have any change for the vending machine and the change only light is flashing.

I am looking forward to getting DSL back on wednesday so I can be addicted to your blog at home, instead of at work (where I need to get things accomplished so I keep my job since it is the only thing standing between me and my daughters and foreclosure on the house and living on the street since my soon to be ex walked out the door - again, another story).

Thanks for making me laugh - I really need some laughter in my life these days! You are a Goddess!!!

[Susan]

Have you ever read this blog? Might give you some good ideas.

http://www.cupcakeproject.com

[Rose]

If you are feeling super-creative, pop over to the Food Network and look up the Ultimate Recipe Showdown. The cake episode involved at least 2 cupcake recipes that sounded wonderful.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/ultimate-recipe-showdown/index.html

(I was beyond annoyed when the winning recipe wasn't picked up by Fridays like the rest of them!)

[H]

Oil in place of butter will make cupcakes more moisterest