Peanut Butter Surprise Muffins

It has been far too long since I have made something with peanut butter.  I thought these Peanut Butter Surprise Muffins would be a good way to curb any peanut butter withdrawal.  You know anything with 'surprise' in the title is going to be something special (good or bad I suppose, but I promise only good things for you).

First you have a peanut butter muffin, which by itself would be quite delicious.  Add a surprise in the middle (in the form of a mini peanut butter cup), and you have something that is just plain fun and tasty too!

Peanut Butter Surprise Muffins

Yields 12 muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

3 teaspoons baking powder
pinch salt (optional)

2 eggs

2/3 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (chunky or creamy)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

12 miniature peanut butter cups 

1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners or cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, which together eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.  Stir into flour mixture until just moistened.
4. Combine butter and peanut butter.  Fold into batter (do not over mix).
5. Fill each muffin cup 1/4 full with batter.  Place a mini peanut butter cup on top of each.  Cover with remaining batter.  Sprinkle tops with chopped peanuts, if using.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely.

Adapted from Taste of Home