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You are here: Home / Cakes / Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack

April 2, 2019 By Jere Cassidy 31 Comments

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Baseball Spring Training was the inspiration for these Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Cracker Jack.   This year we went to see the Cactus League in Arizona to watch our favorite team, the San Francisco Giants.  We watched four games and went to three different stadiums and of course ate our favorite stadium food – hot dogs, tacos, nachos, peanuts, and caramel corn.

Peanut butter cupcakes with cracker jack

In honor of baseball’s opening day, we are making Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Icing topped with Cracker Jack.  Yes, this cupcake has everything in it and on top that will remind you of a box of Cracker Jack with peanuts, caramel, and popcorn.

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These cupcakes are perfect anytime –

 For us, we will be making these for the 7th inning stretch when we need a snack during the game.

Next time you need a dessert for the Little League banquet or maybe a softball game, look no further than these cupcakes. They look impressive without much effort and they taste even better! A home run dessert, if I say so myself.

Even if you aren’t a baseball fan these Peanut Butter Cupcakes are perfect on any dessert table.

Don’t let this recipe throw you a curveball. They may look complicated but trust me, everything is simple in this recipe.

Here is your list of cupcake ingredients –

  1. Butter
  2. Brown Sugar
  3. Vanilla
  4. Peanut Butter
  5. Flour
  6. Baking Soda
  7. Salt
  8. Milk
  9. Powdered Sugar
  10. Cracker Jack

Mix the cupcake batter and scoop into your pan lined with paper liners.

peanut-butter-cupcake-batter

Bake for 16-20 minutes until nice and golden brown.

baked-peanut-butter-cupcakes

Cook the caramel and mix with the powdered sugar

Cooking-caramel

Top the cupcakes with frosting, I used the  2D piping tip to make these nice rosettes on top.

caramel frosted peanut butter cupcakes

Drizzle on a little caramel and top with Cracker Jack.

That’s how we knock a dessert out of the park!

Print Pin
5 from 20 votes

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack

There is some serious flavor in these Peanut Butter Cupcakes topped with Caramel Frosting and Cracker Jack.  
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course Cake
Cuisine American
Keyword cracker jack, cupcakes, peanut butter
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 12 cupcakes
Calories 352kcal
Author Jere ~ One Hot Oven

Ingredients

Making the peanut butter cupcakes

  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs. large
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 cup milk

Caramel Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Cracker Jack

    Instructions

    Making the Peanut Butter Cupcakes

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare your cupcake pan with liners.
    • In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
    • Beat in the eggs one at a time.
    • Beat in the peanut butter.
    • Combine the dry ingredients and then add 1/3 at a time alternating the flour and milk. Beat well and scrape the sides of your bowl.
    • Scoop into the prepared cupcake pans and fill 2/3 full.  Bake for 16-20 minutes, until golden brown and an inserted toothpick, comes out clean.

    Caramel Buttercream Frosting

    • In a medium saucepan stir together the brown sugar, butter, and milk.
    • Cook over low heat to dissolve the brown sugar, then increase the heat to medium and cook for 4- 6 minutes without stirring. The mixture should be an amber color with small bubbles around the pan.
    • Set aside 3 tablespoons of the caramel to drizzle on the cupcakes.
    • Pour the remaining caramel into a mixing bowl and let cool. The mixture will thicken as it cools.
    • Slowly beat in the powdered sugar until the mixture is thick and creamy.  You may have to add some milk if your mixture is too thick.

    Decorating the cupcakes

    • You can frost the cupcakes with a knife or fill a pastry bag to frost the cupcakes. I use a Wilton 2D tip
    • Drizzle on the reserved caramel   You may have to heat the caramel a bit if it has thickened.  
    • Top each cupcake with Cracker Jack.
    • Store the cupcake in an airtight container for up to three days.

    Notes

    If you do not have a piping bag and tip, just frost the cupcakes with a knife and top with the Cracker Jack.  I promise they will still be pretty and taste delicious.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 12 | Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 42.4g | Saturated Fat: 18.5g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 167mg

    ~ Here is a little Cracker Jack history for fun ~

    • Cracker Jack first sold in 1896
    • The name came about after a guy sampled it and said that’s a cracker jack – meaning top quality
    • Sailor Jack and his dog Bingo were introduced in 1916
    • There is always a prize in every box
    • On June 16, 1993, the 100th Anniversary was celebrated at Wrigley Field
    • Cracker Jack was also considered the first junk food

    It’s the 7th Inning…time for cupcakes!

    cracker jack topped cupcakes

    Surprise-Inside-Cookies-for-Opening-Day

     

    Our previous Opening Day treat were these fun and colorful Orange and Black Surprise Inside Cookies in honor of the Giants. These sweet butter cookies are covered in sprinkles and hide a tasty surprise middle layer.

     

     

     

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffin

     

    If you love peanut butter try these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins that are full of that classic peanut butter chocolate duo.

     

     

     

    Caramel Apple Popcorn

     

    Caramel Corn is one of our favorite snacks and is so easy to make.  Try this One Hot Oven recipe for Cinnamon Apple Caramel Corn, a perfect snack for game night.

     

     

     

    Before you go make sure to pin for later when you start craving something peanutty.

    Peanut Butter Cupcakes

    Let’s go shopping!

    Go Giants!!!!!

    Filed Under: Cakes, Recipe Index Tagged With: cupcakes, peanut butter

    Previous Post: « How To Blind Bake Pie Crusts
    Next Post: Overnight Raised Waffles – Crispy & Golden Brown »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lathiya

      June 29, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      5 stars
      I love peanut butter and these cupcakes looks amazing with that caramel frosting. I’m sure my kids love them too.

      Reply
    2. Alisa Infanti

      June 15, 2019 at 5:38 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks amazing. I would never have thought about adding cracker jacks to a cupcake. What a fantastic recipe!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        June 15, 2019 at 9:09 am

        Seriously the Cracker Jacks on top of the caramel icing is the best part of these cupcakes.

        Reply
    3. Geetanjali Tung

      May 15, 2019 at 5:38 am

      5 stars
      The cup cakes come out just perfect… Spongy and fluffy!! Love the caramel froasting on top 🙂

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 15, 2019 at 4:02 pm

        I love the caramel frosting on top too! Actually, I like it a little too much.

        Reply
    4. Lathiya

      May 13, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      The cupcakes looks absolutely fabulous…The caramel frosting is the one that I know my daughter would love for sure..Will bake these for my kids

      Reply
    5. alena@mydeliciousmeals

      May 13, 2019 at 8:19 am

      5 stars
      This looks like an interesting combination to try. Do you usually order Cracker Jacks from Amazon? I know Costco carries some caramel coated popcorn, may be will try with that one. Thanks for the idea!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 15, 2019 at 4:05 pm

        I did order from Amazon, then I went to the Giants game and got a big box their too.

        Reply
    6. April

      May 7, 2019 at 5:57 am

      5 stars
      Peanut butter cupcakes have never been better. They look absolutely amazing! And I love the story – such an interesting read.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 7, 2019 at 5:27 pm

        Thanks for the kind comments. These cupcakes are amazing

        Reply
    7. Maman de sara

      May 6, 2019 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      The Cracker Jack on top of these cupcakes are attractive to the eyes and make these cupcakes absolutely delicious.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 7, 2019 at 5:29 pm

        Thanks, I always eat the Cracker Jack first.

        Reply
    8. Amanda

      May 6, 2019 at 6:39 am

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are too cute for baseball season! And that caramel topping is divine, and you can never go wrong with peanut butter. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Kelly Anthony

      May 6, 2019 at 6:01 am

      5 stars
      These peanut butter cupcakes look amazing! My husband is a huge peanut butter fan and he is going to love these.

      Reply
    10. Jacqueline Debono

      May 4, 2019 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      These cupcakes are fabulous. Love the combo of peanut butter and caramel and those cracker jacks on the top are such a great idea!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 5, 2019 at 10:09 pm

        The crackerjacks are my favorite part of these cupcakes.

        Reply
    11. Stine Mari

      May 4, 2019 at 2:14 am

      5 stars
      Peanut butter is so delicious with caramel, and that frosting just sounds so delicious. I bet the Cracker Jacks give a nice texture to the whole thing. Wonderful cupcakes!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 5, 2019 at 10:10 pm

        Thanks for the comments. Yes, the Cracker Jacks are the best part.

        Reply
    12. Jeannette (Jay Joy)

      May 3, 2019 at 5:23 pm

      5 stars
      I am pretty dang sure Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Caramel Icing topped with Cracker Jack is a dessert that will be in heaven. Cracker Jack toppings just look so good.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 5, 2019 at 10:11 pm

        Haha, so funny. I hope they are in heaven, something to look forward to.

        Reply
    13. Samantha H.

      May 3, 2019 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve had cracker jacks! These are so cute and such a great idea for baseball season.

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 5, 2019 at 10:12 pm

        I actually bought extra boxes for snacking and now I am a bit addicted.

        Reply
    14. Colleen

      May 3, 2019 at 5:48 am

      5 stars
      I haven’t had Cracker Jacks in years, but I loved them as a kid! Combined with the peanut butter, these cupcakes are a home run dessert for sure!

      Reply
    15. Mikayla

      May 1, 2019 at 11:19 pm

      5 stars
      Gotta love those cracker jacks! These do remind me of baseball season, and I love the flavor combo. Can’t wait to try them!

      Reply
    16. Tisha

      May 1, 2019 at 11:12 pm

      5 stars
      Cracker jacks bring back a lot of memories! I love that you used them in this cupcake recipe! Can’t wait to try it

      Reply
    17. Veena Azmanov

      May 1, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      Cute Cup Cakes with amazing and delicious frosting. The Kids to love it. The Cracker Jack’s on it makes it all the more interesting.

      Reply
    18. Adrianne

      May 1, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      I can see a baking day coming on where I need to give these a go!! Peanut Butter is one of my favourite ingredients to cook with as it is so rich and delicious. Thanks, I will whip up a batch!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        May 5, 2019 at 10:14 pm

        Hope you give these a try. They are such a hit in my family.

        Reply
    19. Jessie

      May 1, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      5 stars
      The Cracker Jacks make this so much fun for the upcoming baseball parties! I love this idea and flavors.

      Reply
    20. Jenni LeBaron

      April 27, 2019 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      I used to love getting a box of Cracker Jacks as a kid so this is so nostalgic for me! I love the idea of using them as a topping for these scrumptious peanut butter cupcakes, and the caramel frosting makes it even more decadent and delicious!

      Reply
      • Jere Cassidy

        April 27, 2019 at 12:53 pm

        I know we used to get Cracker Jack’s all the time. I bought three boxes. The surprise isn’t as good as it use to be.

        Reply

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    Welcome, I am Jerè

    the baker at One Hot Oven. I love sharing recipes both sweet and savory that inspire you to bake at home. Food has a way of bringing us all together, from a simple batch of cookies to a three-tier cake. It is important to gather your family and friends around the table over delicious food, great conversation, joy, and laughter. Let’s bake something wonderful.

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