Brownie Cupcakes – Peanut Butter Frosting

Basketball Party Ideas

by Alli

Brownie Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Frosting was compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

If you’re only here for the recipe and not the party tips, click the “jump to recipe button” up above and you can skip all the party talk. 

Come on in! The party’s about to begin and I’ve included my recipe for Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting. You can find my top 17 cupcake recipes when you click Best Cupcake Recipes.

My family is crazy about basketball! We’re recording and watching as many of the college playoff games as possible.

Plus, I’m getting ready to host a We Are the Champions Basketball Party featuring REESE’S Miniatures! Yes, We are the Champions song is running through my mind.

We are the Champions Basketball Party

We Are The Champions Basketball Theme

I picked a champion theme because we’re a house divided. When my next-to-the-oldest daughter got married, she went over to the dark side and became a fan of her husband’s team.

The problem? Her husband’s team is our team’s biggest rival. No worries, my party will unite us all.

Basketball parties are the best because everything is casual and laid back; no dressing up is required. I just pull on my favorite team jersey and jeans and I’m ready to party. The food always takes the center court!

The FREE centerpiece

You know all those basketball trophies your kids received in high school? The ones you have no clue what to do with? Dust those babies off. They are about to be showcased as your centerpiece.

If you no longer have them (I won’t tell) borrow a few from your neighbor.

Basketball Party

It only takes a few seconds to hang the basketball goal backdrop. I found it at my local party supply store for only $5.00

REESE'S Cupcakes

Starting Lineup

All the action will be centered around the big screen, so I make sure the food is portable and easy to eat. Here’s my top 5 starting lineup:

And the MVP award goes to . . .

Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Frosting

Champions Basketball Party

The Most Valuable Player award goes to REESE’S Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting. That’s a mouthful!

REESE’S just happen to be a huge family favorite and I use REESE’S Miniatures in 2 different ways in this recipe – in the middle of the brownie cupcake and to top off the peanut butter frosting.

We Are the Champions Basketball Party

Ingredients At A Glance – Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes

  • unsweetened chocolate bar
  • butter
  • granulated sugar
  • flour
  • eggs
  • vanilla
  • REESE’S miniatures

Cream Cheese Mixture:

  • vanilla
  • cream cheese
  • granulated sugar
  • egg
  • flour

Peanut Butter Frosting:

  • unsalted butter at room temp.
  • peanut butter
  • vanilla extract
  • heavy whipping cream
  • powdered sugar
  • REESE’S miniatures

How to make Brownie Cupcakes (complete recipe card down below)

I always gather all the ingredients together before I ever start baking.

Reese's Cream Cheese Swirled Brownies

Melt the chocolate and butter together on medium/low, stirring frequently so it won’t burn.

Add the eggs, sugar, and flour, then scoop the brownie batter into a baking-cup lined muffin tin, making sure to fill each cup 3/4 full.

Cream Cheese Swirled Brownies

After dropping spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture into the brownie batter, use a knife to run through the batter so that it looks all swirly.

Cream Cheese Swirls

Don’t forget the add the REESE’S Miniatures before baking! Place a miniature into the center of each cupcake and push down until it’s even with the batter.

Here’s what the brownies look like after baking. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Basketball Party

Finished Product

Here’s the finished product! Caution:  Hide them all until time for your party! Trust me on this one!  

My entire family, including the grandkids, voted my REESE’S Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes “by far” the best cupcake they had ever eaten. I just hope my favorite basketball team performs as well!

We Are The Champions Basketball Party

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

We Are The Champions Basketball Party

Cream Cheese Swirled Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting is the cupcake for chocolate lovers! These cupcakes are a hit whenever I serve them.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Brownies

  • 4 squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate bar
  • ยพ cup butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 12 REESE'S miniatures

Cream Cheese Mixture:

  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour

Peanut Butter Frosting:

  • ยพ cup unsalted butter, room temp.
  • ยฝ cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ยผ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 12 REESE'S miniatures (optional garnish)

Instructions

For Brownies:

  1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate and butter until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sugar until well combined.
  2. Add flour, eggs and vanilla and stir until combined.
  3. Place cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin pan and fill each liner ¾ full. Set aside.

Cream Cheese Mixture:

  1. Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Mix with electric mixer (medium speed) until smooth.
  2. Add sugar, egg and flour and mix until smooth.
  3. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture onto tops of brownie batter.
  4. Swirl cream cheese mixture into chocolate mixture by gently running a knife back and forth over the top.
  5. Unwrap 12 REESE'S miniatures and press in the center of each cupcake batter until even with batter.
  6. Bake at 350º for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
  7. Cool for 10 minutes on baking rack. Remove cupcakes and cool completely before frosting.

Peanut Butter Frosting:

  1. In mixing bowl combine butter, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Add whipping cream and beat on med-high until fluffy.
  2. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake and top each with a REESE'S miniature.

Did you make this recipe?

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52 comments

Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy March 25, 2015 - 6:29 am

Love the centerpiece idea! I would have never thought to use trophies, but that’s such a great idea! And I love Reese’s and seriously want one of those cupcakes. Looks so good!

Reply
Madaline March 25, 2015 - 6:54 am

Those brownie cupcakes look sinfully good! You throw the best parties – I wish I lived on your block!

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Mary March 25, 2015 - 7:30 am

Oh this looks so good and put together. May I come too? I appreciate the cupcake recipe. It will be such a hit at my home

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Shirley Wood March 25, 2015 - 7:42 am

Alli, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for that luscious cupcake recipe this morning!!! OMG! I need my Hubs to make these for us!
We watch every sport in the world at our house including basketball but I’m not the one watching basketball. My hubby keeps up with it and watches the highlights. He’d watch all the games if he could eat that delicious party food!

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Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom March 25, 2015 - 7:50 am

Your parties are always adorable, but you had me at the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes!! OH MY YES!!

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Robin (Masshole Mommy) March 25, 2015 - 7:52 am

I am not sure if I would have enough Reese’s minis left to bake with lol. Those things are like kryptonite for me and I would eat most of them before they made it into the cupcakes.

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Zan March 25, 2015 - 8:48 am

Might I add that you get the award for the cupcakes and for best party presentations, too! You always seem to have lovely centerpieces and stuff for your tables. And those cupcakes, I think I will have to hide them from myself. I am hosting prayer meeting at my house tonight and if I had Reese’s pieces, I surely give them a try!!! Next time, don’t put such photos on your blog..lol

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Kita March 25, 2015 - 9:18 am

I love this. As a former bball player this table would have been something I would have loved for a birthday of mine in purple and gold (lakers). I will scroll right on pass the sweets…..wait reeses…..*keeps scrolling*

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Paris (My Big Fat Happy Life) March 25, 2015 - 9:23 am

Gorgeous party, as always! I love the portable food especially the individual cups. I HAVE to make your brownies! My husband loves Reese’s peanut butter cups so I know these will be a hit!

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Margaret Anne @ Natural Chow March 25, 2015 - 9:30 am

Holy wow those Reese’s brownies look good. I’ve never been much of a basketball fan, but my dad is and I know he’ll love all of these snacks!

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Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods March 25, 2015 - 10:40 am

Love the free centerpiece idea! And the cupcake recipe looks awesome. My boys would love this fun basketball party!

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Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle March 25, 2015 - 1:22 pm

What a fun spread. I love the centerpiece and the way you have all the treats arranged and contained is great.

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Alex March 25, 2015 - 1:54 pm

OMG THOSE CUPCAKES! I need to make those for something. Pinning!

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Rebekah March 25, 2015 - 2:15 pm

The cupcakes were delicious! It was a good thing I did yard work all day to burn off those calories.

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Donna Ward March 25, 2015 - 2:48 pm

Alli! Wow – this is wonderful! I have already saved the recipe – looks so good – thank you – Yep I’ll have to do extra jogging – or maybe just walk the dogs further! lol

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Maria March 25, 2015 - 3:30 pm

Wow! We can just skip dinner and get right to the dessert…lol. Those brownies look AMAZING!
Honestly, though, all the items featured seem really delicious. I’d really love to try the mini chili dogs. My family would have a blast eating those.

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Erlene March 25, 2015 - 4:11 pm

Your party spread looks wonderful. Anything with Reeses in it is a winner for me since it’s one of my favorite candies ๐Ÿ™‚ Pinned.

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CourtneyLynne March 25, 2015 - 6:05 pm

basketball is my all time favorite sport so these party ideas…. Totally awesome. Definitely need to give some of your recipes a try ๐Ÿ™‚

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Natalie March 25, 2015 - 6:29 pm

OMG all this food looks simply delicious! But those cupcakes are to die for! That would be a hit at any party! I gotta save this recipe for my daughter’s birthday coming up.

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Nancy March 25, 2015 - 7:46 pm

Omg I’d love to host a party like this! Love the set up of everything

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Nadeen March 25, 2015 - 7:53 pm

as usual so pretty and creative!! A friend at work made a similar Reese’s pieces combo as a brownie and it was to die for! Love those cupcakes!

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Michelle @ Dishes and Dust Bunnies March 25, 2015 - 10:00 pm

You did an awesome job setting up this party! The cupcakes look so delicious as well!

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Chubskulit Rose March 25, 2015 - 10:13 pm

Those looks so tasty. I bet everybody had a blast during the party, kudos to you!

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Terri Ramsey Beavers March 25, 2015 - 10:39 pm

All foods and snacks looks tasty. My kids would love this basketball party.

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Elizabeth O. March 25, 2015 - 11:18 pm

Definitely into those cream cheese brownies! Iโ€™m more excited about the food than the game!

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celebbabylaundry March 26, 2015 - 1:05 am

This looks so awesome, what a great basketball themed party!

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Rebecca Swenor March 26, 2015 - 1:35 am

I love these amazing ideas for an awesome champions basketball party. The mini chili dogs are my favorite and with the trophy being part of the center piece. Thanks for sharing.

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Shaney Vijendranath March 26, 2015 - 2:25 am

Everything looks so good here! I wish I was invited too. Those cupcakes look so yummy!

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HilLesha March 26, 2015 - 3:34 am

Oh, how fun! Much as my husband loves Reese’s candy, he would be in Reese’s heaven. ๐Ÿ™‚

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Lauren March 26, 2015 - 4:30 am

These cupcakes look amazing!! I love reeses, and they’d be perfect in cupcakes!

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Roselynn March 26, 2015 - 11:52 am

This is probably the best basketball party I have seen all season. I love your use of the trophies as centerpieces, they look so good and I knew would of that of using them. Those cupcakes look so good as well!

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Beth March 26, 2015 - 2:14 pm

This is such a cute design! Too bad we never have any basketball related parties, this would be perfect!

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Erica @ The Crumby Cupcake March 26, 2015 - 8:49 pm

What a fun party! Oh man, those cupcake looks insanely delicious, too, Alli! Slam dunk! (lol see what I did there?)

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Rosey March 26, 2015 - 10:56 pm

That’s a good way to use the trophies. My husband has all his from when he was a boy displayed in his home office. ๐Ÿ™‚

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Michelle | Divas With A Purpose March 27, 2015 - 12:22 am

What a great idea for those old trophies! I love using them as centerpieces. That cupcake recipe – absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing!

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Erin Kennedy March 27, 2015 - 3:39 pm

I am drooling over these cupcakes and this event is glorious! But I wouldn’t expect any less Everything looks wonderful!

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Alli March 30, 2015 - 8:16 am

Thanks, Erin!

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Kristen from The Road to Domestication March 27, 2015 - 8:23 pm

I’m not one for basketball, but I would be all over those cupcakes! Thanks for taking the time to come over and link up with us at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week! Feel free to bring a friend ๐Ÿ™‚

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Alli March 30, 2015 - 8:14 am

I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m a HUGE basketball fan. ๐Ÿ™‚

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Aisha Kristine Chong March 30, 2015 - 9:13 am

Those are awesome treats if you ask me. It must be an awesome party!

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Alli March 30, 2015 - 10:10 am

I always love a good party!

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Rachel April 2, 2015 - 7:03 pm

Love the centerpiece idea and the cute serving cups. I am always doing something for my hubby during football season. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.

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Nicole Elliott April 3, 2015 - 2:55 am

I *love* your idea of using those old basketball trophies as centerpieces! And woooowww You just took 3 of my favoritest things in the world (brownies, REESE’S, and creamy-cheese desserts) and rolled them into one–I *must* make these! ๐Ÿ˜€ #client

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Alli April 3, 2015 - 10:04 am

Thanks, Nicole! After I created that recipe, my family declared it to be the best cupcake ever! ๐Ÿ™‚

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