

Chocolate Cupcakes with PB Fluff Buttercream are rich, delicious, and full of fluffernutter flavor. Your kids will rush home from school to devour these delicious cupcakes.
I received samples from Dixie Crystals and Taylor & Colledge for this #BacktoSchoolTreats week recipe. All opinions are mine alone.
You guys! Can you believe it’s almost time to go back to school? Well, not for me, thankfully, but for your little ones. I’m finished with that kind of school. The only schooling I get now is on software and topics that will further my career. Once I get one that is.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that this is the first day of #BacktoSchoolTreats week. That’s one killer hashtag isn’t it? Yes! I have signed up for another week-long event. I find them to be fun and challenging for my blogging. Especially this one since we don’t have kids, nor do we have the thrill of back to school.
There are a few more week-long events after this one, too! So, stay tuned.
I don’t think I remember much excitement around going back to school. There was no huge shopping trip to get all the supplies on the list. Heck, we didn’t even have a list that I can remember. We had to sort of make it up as we went along until we actually started school. There was always a thing or two missing, but it was pretty much the same supplies year after year.
I can’t imagine going to school now with all the different lists for each teacher, for each class, for each day. And that’s just elementary school! I have a friend with three boys. She moved to a new school district and it was all confusing for her.
One teacher had one list and another teacher had a separate list. She had no idea they had separate lists. It was confusing. Her poor kids had to get different supplies than what she originally bought. Chaos.
How can one curriculum for one teacher be so different for another one? And yes, I’m still talking elementary school! I’d be totally lost at that point. And probably frustrated or pissed or both at that point, too. I’m sort of glad I don’t have kids. There are no school supplies for the pups. Just bags, food, and treats. And lots and lots of loving.
Back to school for us didn’t include all these fun and fancy snacks! We were lucky to get snacks at all. I see Mom rolling here eyes. I know when we had a sitter there were snacks, but once we were old enough to be alone, it was every man for themselves!
I’m sure there were some chips, but not often. Maybe some fruit, maybe some veggies, and sometimes a popsicle or two? I honestly can’t remember. When we hit the teenage years it really was every man for themselves. Of course by that time it was homework and then we had to prep and or make dinner. Yes, we had to make dinner growing up.
How do you think both of turned into such great cooks for our families? My sister makes a mean meal just like I do. We had to learn how to chop, dice, sauté, bake, boil; you name it. It was sort of our own culinary school, but you graduated you just got to cook great food for your friends and family. I think that’s better than some certificate on some wall. Don’t you think? Unless you’re a chef, of course, but that’s another story.
I think the first time I had ants on a log was at the sitters. We had a woman that would watch us after school for a couple of years, I think? She’s the first person that showed me how delicious peanut butter and celery are together. And PB and apples, and many other things besides bananas and jelly.
If you haven’t tried PB and pears, do! It’s awesome.
I should have shared some of those ideas this week. Oh well. Maybe I’ll save those for next year. Because I’m sure there’s going to be a next year. There’s other 30 bloggers this year with over a hundred recipes. I’m sure that warrants a second year plus. And since most of Terri’s events are a hit, I KNOW there will be many more years of this event for me to share ideas like that.
I should probably talk about these delicious cupcakes and the sponsors. I LOVE Dixie Crystals sugar. They’re products are always consistent and reliable. Which a must for any kind of baking. Baking is a science you know? It’s all about weights and measures and percentages of liquid to dry. I can’t geek about it because I don’t have that science bone like Dad does. I have the math gene.
So, I have to tell you that these are remake of a complete failure. I mean COMPLETE failure. They totally collapsed and the buttercream was awful. I fail a buttercream all the time. This time I channeled my inner Carlee to make this buttercream work out. And it did!! Which is awesome. You have no idea how frustrating it is to make killer macaron and sucky buttercream filling.
This buttercream is definitely going in a macaron! I could have licked the BOWL peeps!
Just look at how pretty they are! And they are light and fluffy. I can’t believe I nailed cupcakes. That I would totally devour! Except I forgot to pack one for lunch today. I’ll just have to eat two when I get home just to make up for that. Because… CUPCAKES!
And this buttercream makes just enough for the batch of cupcakes. That’s another thing about buttercream. It makes a TON! I don’t want a enough buttercream to frost cupcakes for the 82nd Airborne! There’s just no need when there’s only two of us. This is a small batch of buttercream perfect for cupcakes or macaron.
This year we had a new sponsor. Taylor & Colledge sent us some amazing vanilla paste. I know. They’re chocolate cupcakes but I still add that rich vanilla paste to them for a balancing level of flavor that heightens the chocolate. Don’t tell me you don’t do that, too. Because you do. Admit it. And when you do, you should totally try their vanilla paste. It’s oh so tasty on a spoon, so imagine what it’s like in these cupcakes.
I can’t wait to rush home and have one of these. Just like your kids will rush home to have one, too. And it’s okay for you to sneak one or two in there for yourself. They’re definitely worth it!

Chocolate Cupcakes with PB Fluff Buttercream
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
For the PB fluff buttercream
- 1 cup fluff
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
Combine the sugar with the oil in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until combined. - Add the eggs one at a time, whisking between each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract, buttermilk, and yogurt. Set aside. - Combine the flour with the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a whisk.
- Make a well in the center and add the yogurt mixture along with the 2 teaspoons of vinegar.
- Stir until just combined.
- Line a muffin tin with paper cupcake liners. I always spritz mine with cooking spray. Fill the liners half full with batter.
- Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, but still feels a little sticky on the inside.
- Allow to cool completely.
To make the buttercream: - Place the marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and shortening in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until creamy and smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until the mixture is thick but not too thick.
- Add the milk 1 teaspoon at a time until the buttercream reaches your desired consistency.
- Place in a piping bag with a decorative tip. Pipe the buttercream on top of the cupcakes before serving.
To make the cupcakes:
Check out these #BacktoSchoolTreats recipes from our Bloggers:
Back to School Breakfasts:
- Baked Funfetti Doughnuts from Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Bakery Style Blueberry Muffins from Comfortably Domestic
- Breakfast Cookies from Home Sweet Homestead
- Brioche Bread Pudding from Simply Healthyish
- Chocolate Chip Maple Pecan Granola from Family Around the Table
- Chocolate Malt Waffles from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Coconut Oatmeal Breakfast Bars from The Beard and The Baker
- Homemade Honey Buns from The Domestic Kitchen
- Nutella Waffles with Strawberry Syrup from The Redhead Baker
- Oatmeal Pear Bars from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- PB&J Overnight Oats from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Peaches and Maple Crunch Breakfast Jars from My Sweet Zepol
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Muffins from The Spiffy Cookie
- Triple Berry Overnight French Toast from The Nifty Foodie
Back to School Snacks:
- Lavender Rice Krispie Treats from Nik Snacks
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars from Simple and Savory
Back to School Desserts:
- ‘Ah! Sunflower’ Cupcakes from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Almond Joy Cupcakes from Daily Dish Recipes
- Back-to-School Sundae from Our Good Life
- Caramel Apple Back to School Cupcakes from Big Bear’s Wife
- Caramel Apple Dip from The Mandatory Mooch
- Chocolate Cupcakes with PB Fluff Buttercream from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Easy Chocolate No Bake Cookies from Jen Around the World
- Chocolate Pudding & Caramel Parfait from Girl Abroad
- Oatmeal Cream Pie Layer Cake from Love and Confections
- Vanilla Bean Pudding Pops from Hardly A Goddess
Back to School Drinks:
- Caramel Apple Iced Tea from For the Love of Food
- Dairy-Free Apple Pie Smoothie from Frugal & Fit
- Iced Apple Ginger Ale from Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
- Iced Salted Caramel Latte from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Can you believe summer is winding down? Well, it is and this week we are celebrating with #BacktoSchoolTreats hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures.
All week 30 bloggers will be sharing over 100 fantastic recipes for both parents and kids, with breakfasts, snacks, desserts, and drinks to get you back in the school routine. Thank you sponsors for providing the prize packages. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below!
PRIZE #1 DIXIE CRYSTALS
Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Keurig K-Select Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker. Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.
PRIZE #2 SWEETS & TREATS
PRIZE #3 TORANI
We believe in flavor for all and opportunity for all.

PRIZE #4 TAYLOR & COLLEDGE
Taylor & Colledge is giving one winner a selection of their gourmet extract pastes, including Organic Vanilla Bean Baking Paste, Lavender Baking Paste, Almond Baking Paste, Coconut Baking Paste, Lemon Baking Paste, and Peppermint Baking Paste. Taylor & Colledge has been making award winning Vanilla products since 1897.
As a family owned business, Taylor & Colledge illustrates commitment to the fair, ethical and sustainable sourcing of Vanilla. Over the years they have pioneered a number of country specific programs to support growers, their families and to make the vanilla industry more sustainable. They have also taken this knowledge and expertise and applied it to their full range of baking pastes.
Whether it’s sourcing the finest peppermint (mentha piperita) to make the best Peppermint Oil, or using only real Almond Milk and Oil of Bitter Almond for their natural Almond Extract Paste, Taylor & Colledge commits to transforming your baking with premium quality pastes, made with only the finest ingredients from around the world.

PRIZE #5 FLAHAVAN’S
Flahavan’s is giving one winner an oat prize package including a jar for overnight oats and a selection of Rolled Oats, Quick to Cook Oats, and Steel Cut Oats. Ireland’s oldest family-owned food business is at the family mill located in the Southeast of Ireland. Flahavan’s can trace its oat milling history back to 1785 and its expertise in producing naturally creamy oatmeal back over 230 years. A seven-generation family business, Flahavan’s is the bestselling oatmeal brand in Ireland, where people eat more oatmeal per capita than anywhere else in the world. Flahavan’s is a founding member of Origin Green, the first-ever national initiative to mandate 100% sustainability for food exports.
Thank you to #BacktoSchoolTreats Sponsors:
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