Peanut Butter Belgian Waffle Cupcakes

One of my favorite breakfast meals is waffles. Specifically I love spreading peanut butter over my waffles and then topping it all with maple syrup. I know, it sounds super rich and it is but this particular meal got me through many mornings during basic training. Whenever I eat this meal it brings me back to the cold mornings of Missouri; rushing to get as much food as possible before the drill sergeants tell us we're finished. It doesn't sound like it would be a fond memory but strangely it is, meal time was one of the only times during basic, for me, that I felt like a normal person. Even though I was eating faster than normal, just sitting down and having a quiet breakfast was almost refreshing and mentally prepared me for my day ahead. 

The other day while enjoying a plateful of waffles, I decided that this breakfast needed a makeover. I used a recipe from Youngmarriedchic.com for the cake portion that I found on Pinterest but I made a few changes. I also made a Peanut Butter frosting and it turned out to be one of the best things I've ever made. I even used one of my decorating tips that I have never used before and I think overall they turned out great! 

Belgian Waffle Cake Recipe

(Makes about 17 regular sized cupcakes)

2 cups flour

3 tablespoons sugar (I think next time I will add 2 more tablespoons) 

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt 

3 tablespoons melted butter 

1 large egg

1 teaspoons vanilla*

*I used 2 teaspoons of vanilla plus a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Ladle batter into cupcake liners 1/2 - 3/4 full. Bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes or until tops spring back. 

Peanut Butter Frosting 

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted

5 tablespoons butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup heavy cream 

Combine first five ingredients with a mixer on low. Once combined thoroughly, add heavy cream and mix on high until frost is light and fluffy. 

I used a #199 Wilton open star tip for piping the frosting on. 

Review

I was looking for a nostalgic feeling with these cupcakes but for me, they never lived up to the standard I had set for them. While they are delicious, especially the frosting, the Belgian waffle cake didn't turn out how I had hoped. Half of the cake stuck to the cupcake liner and it tasted more like crepes than waffles. I absolutely love crepes but I was wanting more of a waffle taste. I think with two more scoops of sugar the cake mix would have been a lot better. 

I wouldn't change a thing about the frosting, it couldn't have turned out better. After I finished piping all of the cupcakes, we all took turns squeezing the extra frosting into our mouths. It was that good!