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I’ve come to realize lately that life all too often hands you curveballs, whether you want them or not.

Sometimes they’re small.  Like a half empty bag of Reese’s in an otherwise totally healthy day.

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Sometimes they’re good.  Like boyfriends who came along at just the time when you didn’t know that you’d need them the most.  Who know the rules of the game, batting averages, RBIs, ERAs.  They’ll hold your hands as you swing that bat, guide them as that ball sinks and spirals just below where common sense would have told you to aim.  And when wood hits leather with a force that is truly not something to be reckoned with, they’ll shrug it off like it was nothing.  All in a days’ work.

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And sometimes they’re not.  Like days that feel like nightmares.  A whole 24 hours that just can’t be real when all you can do is wonder if this nervous nauseous feeling in the pit of your chest will ever go away.  But it has to, you say, because none of this happened.  It’s all a dream.  Right?

So you cross your fingers, click your heels together three times, and take a bite out of one of these cupcakes.  Because maybe you won’t end up back in Kansas, where life is simpler and evil witches of the west don’t lurk around every corner.  But at least you’ll have had a bite of something truly delicious.  And that has to count for something, right?

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Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Cupcakes
Makes 12, adapted from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups oreo crumbs
  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted
  • 12 miniature peanut butter cups
  • 2 (8 oz) packages reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.  Line a muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.
  2. To make the crust, using a fork, stir together the oreo crumbs and melted butter until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Put 2 tbsp in each liner and press down into the bottom to form a crust (shot glasses or really tiny ramekins are perfect for this!).  Place 1 miniature peanut butter cup on the top of each crust.
  3. For the filling, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add in the sugar, flour, and vanilla and beat until well-combined and smooth.  Add in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the side of the bowl after each addition.  Divide batter evenly among the muffin wells (about 1/4 cup per well).  Bake for 18-20 minutes or until cheesecakes are barely set.  Transfer the pan to a wire rack to allow the cheesecakes to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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64 Responses to Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Cupcakes

  1. daphne says:

    where did you get all these awesome idea? Give me a few please!

  2. These are so darn cute! And they’re making me drool. They look fabulous!!

  3. Beth says:

    Peanut butter cup cheesecake cupcakes. It’s hard to know how to improve on that recipe title, unless perhaps you added brown butter.

    Hope you haven’t had one of those bad days lately. Take care.

  4. Aha, the real entry! I had a sneak peak this morning before I left for the gym and I knew it was going to be a tasty entry! Yummers! 🙂

  5. Danielle says:

    Wow. Just wow. I hope they made everything a little better.

  6. Johanna GGG says:

    these look deee-licious – just right for any curveball!

  7. OohLookBel says:

    Phwoar! I love how the reduced fat cream cheese balances out the Reeses. Definitely going to make these, thanks!

  8. Amy says:

    Ruh roh. Sounds like you had a shitty day. I hope it passed, my love. Or at least these cheesecake cupcakes numbed the pain a little. Sometimes sugar doesn’t even help me – that’s when you really know it’s bad. ((hugs))

  9. Pam says:

    A bite from one of these would make everything all better.

  10. You’re an evil sweet genius–ohhhh yes!!

  11. Mary says:

    You are kind of evil right now, Joanne. I would love to have a plate of these in front of me this morning! I’m wishing you an absolutely fabulous Friday and weekend as well. You deserve much better than a click your heels kind-of-day!

  12. La Liz says:

    Brilliant, Joanne! I love “individualized” desserts like these. BTW, thanks for your “Yes, Chef” (Marcus Samuelsson’s memoir) book review. It’s a remarkable book. We recently visited Red Rooster which offered the book as part of its August Prix Fixe dinner. Marcus greeted us during dinner — I was starstruck! The entire evening was magical . . . thanks for the recommendation!

  13. Pam says:

    Hope you are okay…. xoxo

    These cupcakes would certainly make my frown turn upside down. 🙂

  14. marie says:

    My husband loves, loves, loves anything peanut butter cup. These look super rich which sometimes is just perfect.

  15. Tandy says:

    My stomach is rumbling!

  16. These would definitely help brighten a rough day!

  17. This looks like a great comforter to a bummer day. We should all probably have a stash of these as bad day insurance.

  18. Shannon says:

    oh boy, these certainly are worth keeping around, you know, just in case it’s one of “those days” 🙂

  19. Foodycat says:

    These look beautiful, but I really hope you and yours are safe and happy – this is a worrying post!

  20. Wow, I’m practically drooling looking at these pictures. But I hope everything is okay with you!

  21. These look great and I could see why they’d fix anyone’s bad day…or at least make you stop thinking about it for a moment 🙂 I hope life hasn’t thrown you a curveball!

  22. Jessie says:

    I hope you’re doing ok, Joanne! Sounds like things have been rough lately and that you’ve had a lot to deal with. Just know that we’re all thinking of you!

    Here’s hoping that life holds back on throwing you curveballs for a while *hugs*

    P.S. Beautiful cupcakes!

  23. Hotly Spiced says:

    These look like the perfect treat to aid recovery from a terrible 24 hours xx

  24. teresa says:

    hey, i hope you’re doing okay joanne. even when you’re down, you’re still so poetic. i hope this weekend brings more happiness!

  25. Guru Uru says:

    A double surprise of peanut butter cups makes these lil cheesecakes even more addictive – I certainly hope they brightened up your day my friend, I hope you are ok!

    hugs
    Uru

  26. Mo 'Betta says:

    Hmmmm, now you have me all worried! Hope everything is ok. *hugs*

  27. Candace says:

    I hope that you are okay. Thinking of you!

  28. They could brighten anyone’s day, they look amazing! Hope all is well.

  29. That Girl says:

    How does one end up with a half bag of peanut butter cups? Mine always turn up mysteriously empty.

  30. Christine says:

    Sending you long distance hugs to remind you that you’re not alone and lots of people love and are concerned for you and your happiness (just as you are for them). Somedays just need to be gotten through and you just need to take a little extra care of and treat yourself. These sweet little cakes seem like the perfect thing. 🙂

  31. Tammy says:

    Awwww sweetie, I know the feeling alllll too well. I’m with you in spirit…but like the saying goes when life gives you lemons…well you know the rest 😉 although in your case, it would actually be peanut butter cups.

    These little cupcakes I’m sure did the trick though. Beautiful photos as always!

    Keep on smiling dahling!

    Sending a big, big hug your way…you should feel it when you read this! 🙂

    xoxo,
    Tammy<3

  32. Wow – these look really good. Who out there doesn’t love a peanut butter cup? Add cheesecake – you can’t lose!

  33. Barbara says:

    Those look so cute, Joanne. Oddly, I’ve never been a Reese’s fan, but my kids sure are!
    Life does hand us curve balls absolutely. One just learns to keep ones cool and ride the waves. Ups and downs. It never stops!

  34. Hannah says:

    Hope everything’s okay in your world, Joanne… Your photos are disarmingly sweet, but your words make me think otherwise…

    (hug)

  35. Deborah says:

    I’ve been thrown so many curveballs lately that they are starting to seem normal! 🙂 I hope all is well with you – I know those curveballs can sometimes throw your whole world out of whack. But yes, I’m pretty sure these cupcakes would help to make everything feel ok!

  36. These look fantastic! Hope your life isn’t too full of curveballs right now and everything’s okay.

  37. Dining Alone says:

    Any day, good or bad, would be better with these tasty little guys!! I have had a week of curveballs too, but I made it through with the help of friends and my awesome husband.

  38. Kevin says:

    Those look so good! I could devour a few of them right now!

  39. grace says:

    i like these A LOT. the best part in my eyes is the fact that the actual cheesecake portion is pretty much less substantial than the peanut butter cup part. WIN.

  40. Reeni Pisano says:

    I hope everything is OK! I can come help you take care of the wicked witch. Or maybe it’s just better if I eat a cheesecake to keep me out of trouble. They are pretty irresistible looking and you know I have a weak spot for PB cups!

  41. Cathleen says:

    Well aren’t these the darn cutest things I have ever seen! Hope the nightmare is over. I have days like those. I need some of these in a safety deposit box for later.

  42. Laura says:

    Well now I am just worried about whatever life threw you! These look delicious though–is it just me or is the cookie crumb crust extra thick? Yum, my favorite part! Hope life gets easier. 🙂

  43. Blond Duck says:

    Did something happen with your work? I hope you’re not injured and everything is ok!

  44. Saguna says:

    I hope you’ve made it through the tough time it sounds like you’ve had. I send good wishes and virtual desserts your way.

    Sometimes I wish we could escape to Oz when said curveballs appear, and it’s cases like these in which treats come in. They look good enough for Glinda- I’d love to try them sometime…

  45. Erica says:

    These cakes sound simple and delicious!I am printing the recipe!

  46. Hope your weekend cheered up and you ate lots of these for yourself – they look amAAAzing!

  47. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, Take one day at a time and have faith.
    The dear sweet little cup cakes look delicious. I will keep you in my prayers sweet friend. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

  48. Oreos and peanut butter? That will turn a non-cheesecake lover (that would be my husband) into a worshiper. These look decadent and fabulous.

  49. Lori says:

    Perfect for a nightmare of a day, or for celebrating the good one that will come next!

  50. vianney says:

    Hope your well~~ sending warm hugs and well wishes!!

  51. Love these … peanut butter and cheesecake sounds wonderful. Love your reference to Ks and Wizard of Oz. Having grown up there, it’s my favorite movie.

  52. Geni says:

    These look so rich and fabulous. My thoughts are with you Joanne. Take care sweetie.

  53. beti says:

    I can feel my thighs getting fatter

  54. ernier0x says:

    I made these last night for my friends birthday, He loved them!! Thank you soo much for posting <3

  55. Nicely done! They look elegant enough for adults and peanut buttery enough for kids!

  56. Anonymous says:

    I made them and they were a great success – the birthday boy said the peanut butter cup was a little hard, so any suggestions how to rectify that?

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