Puppy Chow Cupcakes

I made these for my daughters class to celebrate her 7th birthday. When I asked her what she wanted to take she just said Puppy Chow, well I wanted some kind of cupcake so I figured I would make a Puppy Chow Cupcake and also send a little snack bad of puppy chow for each child. Here is what I came up with:

Milk Chocolate Cake
Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake tins.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared cupcake papers, I use 1/4c put paper and it gives the perfect dome.

3. Bake 15 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

BUTTERCREAM ICING

Ingredients

6 cups confectioners' sugar (or more for consistency)
1 cup butter
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/3 cup peanut butter

Directions

1.In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

2.Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream or powdered sugar if needed for spreading consistency.


Puppy Chow

Ingredients

9 cups crispy rice cereal squares
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tsp butter
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips and butter. Microwave for 30-45 seconds at a time on high stirring between until you have a smooth consistency.

2. Pour over cereal and stir until coated.

3. Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal and shake until well coated.


Assembling Cupcakes

1. Crush 1-2 cups of the Puppy Chow in a plastic bag.

2. Ice finished cupcakes with peanut butter icing, as soon as complete sprinkle crushed puppy chow over the top (don't wait too long or the icing will develop a hard 'film' and the puppy chow won't stick)

3. Place 1-2 whole pieces of puppy chow in the center of the cupcake standing up as a garnish.

4. Enjoy.