Chubby Hubby is by far my favorite flavor Ben & Jerry’s has ever made. Let me break it down for you: Vanilla Ice Cream, Fudge Swirl, and Peanut Butter-filled-chocolate-covered-pretzels. This sweet-and-salty-loving girl could down a pint of that in no time. (And trust me I have.)
A few weeks ago I started thinking about how I could make a cupcake inspired by my favorite flavor. I knew the base should be vanilla. I also knew I needed pretzels to be involved and something fudgy to represent the swirl that’s in the ice cream. I thought and I pondered and I brainstormed and I finally came up with this:
The end result was perfect. Salty from the pretzels and peanut butter, rich from the fudgy frosting, and the light and fluffy vanilla cake held it all together perfectly. I’m all about trying to turn other favorite ice cream flavors into cupcakes. What’s next?
*Also- I made this little picture diagram for filling the cupcakes. It may be second nature to some of you, but the first time I read a recipe that called for a filling I would have loved a visual! (Sorry the text is so small.)
Chubby Hubby Cupcakes:
Print this Recipe
Makes 16 cupcakes
Pretzel Crust:
1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
1/4 cup melted butter
Vanilla Cake:
1 cup cake flour, not self-rising
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
3/8 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Filling:
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk or cream
Fudge Frosting:
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
2 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar (no need to sift)
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons half-and-half or whole milk
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tins with liners and set aside.
In a medium bowl mix the crushed pretzels and the melted butter and mix until the pretzels hold together.
Spoon a tablespoon of the pretzel mixture into each liner and press down with your fingers.
Bake in the oven for 5 minutes or until set.
While the crust is cooling make the batter:
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour.
In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla. With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat.
Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about 3/4 full. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.
While cupcakes are cooling make the peanut butter filling:
With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and peanut butter and mix on medium speed until creamy.
Add vanilla and mix. Alternate adding the powdered sugar with the cream and beat until it is smooth.
When cupcakes are cooled carve out a small hole in each one removing a little over a tablespoon of cake. scoop a tablespoon of filling into each one. Slice the top off of the removed cake piece and place it over the filling.
To make the Frosting: (Seriously the easiest recipe EVER.)
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse to incorporate, then process until the frosting is smooth.
Pipe or spread frosting onto each cupcake and top with crushed pretzels. Enjoy!
Note: The pretzel topping will get soggy after a little while. I recommend sprinkling them on top right before serving.
Vanilla Cake Recipe: Billy’s Bakery via Martha Stewart
Fudge Frosting: Smitten Kitchen
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Stacey says
This sounds delicious! Our B&J flavours here in London are so limited … who knew there was such deliciousness out there? :) Can’t think of anything better than ice cream and cupcakes, well done x
Erin says
Oh these are perfect! I have never had the ice cream before, not sure how I missed it. But I want these!
Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen} says
Lovin those!!! Yuuuuuuuuum!
Tina says
You did a great job of getting all those flavors into this cupcake! It looks delicious. B&J’s has now got Jimmy Fallon’s flavor out there-Vanilla with caramel swirl and chunks of chocolate coated potato chips (saw on Martha Stewart today). Can’t wait to try it.
Michelle says
YES PLEASE! Brilliant idea! I love sweet and salty, these look awesome!
Christine's Pantry says
Love this. Looks wonderful! Yum!
Stephanie says
Love these! Especially that peanut butter filling!!
mike @ the culinary lens says
I am such a lover of salt and sweet combinations these look amazing
thesmartcookiecook.com says
Dear lord, this sounds incredible!! I never would’ve thought of that pretzel crust (let alone combining it w/ a peanut butter filling & fudge frosting)! Very unique, and yet it sounds so perfect! Buzzed for sure :)
The Southern Fried Bride says
New follower and I love your blog!
Sandra says
Are you serious???? Oh wow..I am in heaven!:)) those look so tasty, and pretty! What a great idea! Nicely done..
Casmiles says
Sounds wonderful; I’m definitely going to make this one!
Valerie says
Mmm i loove those cupcakes heart and this delicious frosting i see!! Looks awesome!
egb says
Awesome idea! I love chubby hubby (who doesn’t?) and your reinterpretation is great!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets says
Those look crazy good! I’m rather a big fan of Chubby Hubby myself…
Ann says
Chubby hubby cupcakes! My chubby hubby would love these! BRAVO! These are astonishingly scrumptious!
Kim Bee says
I love the name of these. They look so good. I’ve not done filled cupcakes yet so appreciate the visual. These really are amazing.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
These look absolutely amazing! All of my favorite flavors pretty much in one place! I love that you turned your favorite ice cream into a cupcake.
Ama says
All the greatest flavors put into one! I have got to try this out, these cupcakes look amazing!! :)
Alex says
that vanilla cake recipe is my absolute fave. but now you’ve added even more of my favorites! yum…I will be making these!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I want these. Now and forever.
kenaskitchen says
These look & sound yummy!!
Pgarard1 says
Sound just wonderful
BriannaR says
Ben & Jerry’s coffee heath bar crunch, that would probably make a very yummy cupcake. It’s my favorite of their ice cream flavors. Love your recipes!