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If you read MBA on a regular basis, you may recall me mentioning that I teach junior high. Some of my students know that I’m a food blogger as well – in fact, one came back after summer break saying that I shouldn’t be his teacher anymore because he saw my show on Food Network. I laughed it off, but his grandma further explained that he confused me with Rachel Ray and told everyone that his teacher is a famous TV cook! I assure you that Food Network is not in my current or near future, but I sure did get a chuckle out of that one.
I teach in an alternative school, where many of the students in my classroom have made their way to our program because they struggled with maintaining appropriate behavior in a typical setting. However, they are a great group of kids that are willing to learn, we just need to be a little more creative with our approach.
At the beginning of the year, I hung a large illustration of a jar on the wall and told them that once they filled up the jar with 100 marbles I would let them plan a party – my treat. Well, they did it in record time, so one morning I allowed them to compile a list their party ideas. After tallying up their lists which included items such as pizza, popcorn, a movie, and Hot Cheetos, we noticed a definite trend. These kids wanted cupcakes and they specifically stated that store bought cupcakes would not do – they wanted homemade cupcakes with lots of frosting – made by yours truly!
I scanned my pantry and realized that I still had a bag of Take 5 candy bars that I purchased for another project. Immediately I had the idea for Take 5 Cupcakes – what kid doesn’t love chocolate, peanut butter, pretzels and caramel? And combine that awesomeness with cake and frosting – how could they be bad?
I used my favorite doctored up cake mix because it’s easy, delicious and yields a nice, thick batter that is perfect for baking candy bars into. Then I added on a big swirl of peanut butter buttercream, a drizzle of chocolate glaze and finished them off with a piece of a Take 5 candy bar. Pure chocolate peanut butter heaven! The kids loved them and are already eagerly planning their next marble party and more importantly – the next cupcake flavor!
Take 5 Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 18.25 ounce package devil’s food cake mix
- 1 5.9 ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup warm water
- 24 Fun Size Take 5 Candy Bars; cut in half
For the Peanut Butter Buttercream
- 3 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 pounds confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 6-8 tablespoons heavy cream if using milk, amount will be less
For the Chocolate Glaze
- 4 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped into very small pieces
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Cupcakes
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla and water. Beat for about two minutes on medium speed until well combined.
- 3. Using a large cookie scoop, distribute the batter between 24 muffin wells; about 3 tablespoons of batter per well. Press 1/2 Fun Size Take 5 candy bar into the center of each cupcake. Use a small spoon to spread the batter over the candy bar.
- 4. Bake in preheated oven for 20-24 minutes or until the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly touched. There may be a small sink hole in the top of the cupcakes from the candy bars, that’s okay - you’ll cover that with frosting. Allow cupcakes to cool inside muffin tins for about 10 minutes.
- 5. Remove cupcakes from muffin tins and allow to fully cool on a wire rack. Once cupcakes are cool, prepare your frosting.
For the Peanut Butter Buttercream
- 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, cream butter and peanut butter on medium speed until fluffy. Turn your mixer down to low speed and slowly add in the confectioner’s sugar, and continue mixing until well blended.
- 2. Add vanilla and 4 tablespoons of heavy cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add an additional 1 to 4 tablespoons of heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency. Beat at high speed until frosting is smooth and fluffy
- 3. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Prepare Chocolate Glaze.
For the Chocolate Glaze
- 1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream until very hot, but not boiling.
- 2. Place chocolate pieces in a heat safe bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Whisk the cream and chocolate until smooth and thoroughly combined. Whisk in the honey, corn syrup, and vanilla. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes. Do not let the glaze sit for too long or it will harden up before you spoon it over the frosting.
- 3. Spoon the glaze on the tops of the frosted cupcakes, allowing it to drip down the sides a little bit. Don’t add too much glaze or it will drip all over your liners.
- 4. If desired, finish each cupcake with a piece of a Take 5 candy bar.
How would I adjust the recipe since Betty Crocker no longer makes a 18.25 oz cake mix?
Hi, Fran! I think this post about my Doctored Up Cake Mix should help. Let me know if you need anything else!
Hi! Any ideas on how to make this recipe into a cake that includes the take 5 bars?
Hi, Candice! You could definitely make this in a 9×13 pan.The baking time will be a bit longer, so make sure you check it for doneness. I would estimate the cake would take approximately 30 minutes, maybe less. I hope you enjoy it!
So I made these last night for my bosses birthday today. Take 5 is her favorite candy bar and when I saw these, I knew they would be perfect. I have had several coworkers come up to me and tell me that it’s the best cupcake they have ever had. Thanks for helping me with the win today! :) Huge hit!
Rachel-
I’m so glad the recipe was a hit for you. Thanks so much for visiting.
-Jamie
I need a recipe for cupcakes without egg and recipe for cheesecakes without eggg
Hi there – I’m sorry, but I always cook with eggs. You might have better luck on a vegan blog, since those recipes typically don’t use eggs.
– Jamie
Absolutely DELICIOUS!! :)
I just made these today– for the same reason! Sme of my students earned cupcake coupons on Friday and I think they will be really excited for these!
I think Take 5 bars are regional because I have heard of them before (in the Northeast?) but couldn’t find them at my grocery store (in the South). I put some peanut M&Ms on top instead. They look so cute! Luckily, I only needed one dozen to take to school, so my family gets the other dozen!
I love these! I actually stumbled across your blog looking for candy bar cupcakes to bring in for my 6th graders!! I love that they are so versatile. I did class points, the first class to 10 points won cupcakes. I am so ready to reward my awesome class!!