Snickers Cupcakes

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If you’re the kind of person who believes dessert should be rich, indulgent, and borderline sinful—then these Snickers Cupcakes are made for you. I’ve always had a soft spot for the sweet-and-salty magic of a Snickers bar, and transforming that into a cupcake felt like the ultimate baking challenge. The result? A moist, deeply chocolaty base topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting, luscious caramel drizzle, and, of course, a piece of the iconic candy bar crowning the top.

Biting into one of these cupcakes is like getting all the best parts of a Snickers in a single, blissful mouthful. The cake itself is decadently soft with a touch of espresso to intensify the chocolate. The frosting is rich, nutty, and smooth, pairing perfectly with the gooey caramel that ties everything together. Whether you’re making these for a party, a birthday, or just a random Wednesday, they’re guaranteed to steal the show.

Why You’ll Love This Snickers Cupcakes Recipe

These cupcakes are over-the-top in the best way possible. You get layers of flavor: rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, buttery caramel, and the signature crunch from roasted peanuts. Each bite is a mini dessert journey, and they look just as stunning as they taste. They’re also a hit with both kids and adults, making them a versatile crowd-pleaser.

What Kind of Snickers Should I Use?

Regular-size Snickers bars are great for topping and stuffing inside the cupcakes if you want an extra surprise center. Minis or fun-size bars work perfectly for slicing and garnishing. You can even use the almond or peanut butter versions if you want to switch up the flavor slightly. Just make sure they’re chopped into clean, even pieces for a neat presentation.

Options for Substitutions

• Frosting: Swap the peanut butter buttercream with chocolate ganache or marshmallow fluff if you have peanut allergies in the mix.
• Cupcake Base: A boxed chocolate cake mix can be used if you’re short on time, though homemade gives the richest flavor.
• Caramel Sauce: Store-bought caramel works fine, but a homemade salted caramel can take this dessert to the next level.
• Candy Topping: If Snickers aren’t your thing, try other candy bars like Milky Way or Twix for a fun twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend in the cupcake batter to make this recipe gluten-sensitive friendly.

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Ingredients for this Snickers Cupcakes Recipe

All-Purpose Flour – This forms the base of your cupcake structure, providing the perfect crumb texture.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – For deep, rich chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the Snickers.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda – These work together to give the cupcakes a light, airy rise.

Salt – Enhances all the flavors, especially the chocolate.

Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.

Eggs – Bind the ingredients and add structure and moisture.

Buttermilk – Brings moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness.

Vegetable Oil – Keeps the cupcakes super moist and soft.

Vanilla Extract – Boosts the overall flavor.

Hot Water + Espresso Powder – Intensifies the chocolate without making it taste like coffee.

Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter forms the base of the frosting, giving it a rich and nutty flavor.

Unsalted Butter – For that smooth, creamy buttercream texture.

Powdered Sugar – Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.

Heavy Cream – Helps create a fluffy, pipeable consistency for the frosting.

Caramel Sauce – Drizzled over the frosting to echo that Snickers gooey caramel layer.

Snickers Bars – Chopped for topping and optionally stuffing the center of each cupcake.

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Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Cupcake Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup.

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Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This evenly distributes the leaveners and avoids clumps of cocoa.

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Step 3: Blend the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Add the espresso powder to the hot water and stir, then pour into the mixture.

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Step 4: Combine and Make the Batter

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The batter will be thin, but that’s what gives it such a moist texture.

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Step 5: Fill and Bake

Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely before frosting.

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Step 6: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

Beat together the butter and peanut butter until smooth and fluffy. Slowly add in powdered sugar, then heavy cream and vanilla. Continue whipping until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.

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Step 7: Frost the Cupcakes

Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Swirl generous amounts of frosting on each cooled cupcake.

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Step 8: Decorate

Drizzle each cupcake with caramel sauce and top with a piece of Snickers bar. For an extra surprise, you can also press a small piece of Snickers into the center of each cupcake before baking.

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How Long to Prepare the Snickers Cupcakes

Prep Time: Most of your prep time will go into mixing the batter and preparing the frosting, which takes about 20–25 minutes. If you’re chopping Snickers for the topping and optionally stuffing the cupcakes, add an extra 5 minutes.

Bake & Cool Time: The cupcakes bake for about 18–22 minutes. Be sure to allow at least 30 minutes for them to cool completely before frosting. Rushing this step can cause the frosting to melt.

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Tips for Perfect Snickers Cupcakes

• Always use room-temperature ingredients for smoother batter and fluffier frosting.
• Don’t overfill your cupcake liners—2/3 full is the sweet spot.
• Sift your powdered sugar to avoid clumps in the frosting.
• Use an ice cream scoop to evenly portion the batter.
• Chill the frosted cupcakes briefly before drizzling caramel to help the topping stay neat.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overmixing the batter – This leads to dense, rubbery cupcakes.
• Underbaking – Always do the toothpick test; underbaked cupcakes can collapse.
• Hot cupcakes + frosting – Never frost before they’ve cooled or you’ll have a melted mess.
• Using natural peanut butter – It can separate and make the frosting oily.
• Skipping the espresso – You won’t taste coffee, but the chocolate won’t be as deep without it.

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What to Serve With Snickers Cupcakes?

1. Cold Glass of Milk

The ultimate classic pairing that balances the richness of the cupcake.

2. Coffee or Espresso

A strong, bitter coffee contrasts beautifully with the sweet and nutty flavors.

3. Salted Popcorn

Great for a sweet-and-salty dessert table combo.

4. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Adds a fruity note and feels extra indulgent.

5. Vanilla Ice Cream

Scoop some on the side for a full-on dessert experience.

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Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: If you plan to eat them within 24 hours, store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temp—away from heat or sunlight.

Refrigerator: For longer freshness, refrigerate the frosted cupcakes for up to 4–5 days. Let them sit out for 15 minutes before serving for the best texture.

Freezing: Unfrosted cupcakes freeze beautifully. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. The frosting can also be made ahead and frozen separately.

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Estimated Nutrition

Per cupcake (based on 12 servings):

• Calories: 420
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Sugar: 39g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 210mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stuff Snickers inside the cupcake?

Chop mini Snickers and press a piece into the center of the batter in each liner before baking.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them unfrosted. Frost before serving.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

You can, but the texture of the frosting will be a bit gritty and harder to pipe. Smooth peanut butter is best.

Do I have to use espresso powder?

No, but it enhances the chocolate flavor. You won’t taste coffee in the final cupcake.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup milk and let it sit for 5 minutes as a substitute.

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Conclusion

These Snickers Cupcakes are the ultimate treat for candy bar lovers and cupcake fanatics alike. Each bite brings together a rich medley of textures—soft chocolate cake, fluffy peanut butter frosting, gooey caramel, and that iconic nougat crunch. Whether you’re baking them for a birthday, special event, or just a decadent weekend dessert, they’re sure to impress. Once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without a Snickers in cupcake form.

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