Portable Cupcake Perfection

Decadent Peanut Butter Filled Cupcakes in a Jar: Your Ultimate Wicked Good Copycat Recipe!

Imagine a warm, moist cupcake, generously filled with luscious peanut butter, and crowned with a scoop of rich chocolate gelato, all nestled cozily in a charming little jar. These cupcakes in a jar are truly a taste of heaven and incredibly fun to make! They’re reminiscent of the famous Wicked Good Cupcakes, but crafted in your own kitchen with love and an unbeatable ooey-gooey texture that will leave everyone craving more. Get ready to impress your guests and elevate your dessert game with this simple yet show-stopping recipe.

4 ingredient peanut butter filled cupcakes in a jar, ooey and gooey topped with chocolate gelato, served in mini mason jars

Baking is a cherished activity in my family, and my daughters have inherited my passion for creating delicious desserts. Today, we ventured into making something extraordinarily fun and utterly delightful. The result? These incredible peanut butter filled cupcakes in a jar that are pure joy in every bite! Much like our popular s’mores in a jar, we’ve perfected this individual dessert by adding a generous spoonful of creamy peanut butter inside. This addition takes the “ooey and gooey” factor to an entirely new level, especially when paired with a melting scoop of ice cream on top. It’s an experience you simply must try!

Effortless Baking with a Cake Mix Hack

While a homemade cake base is always an option, we opted for an incredibly easy and foolproof method using a boxed cake mix recipe. This brilliant hack ensures consistently moist and flavorful cupcakes with minimal effort. Simply bake them in your jars, add your desired toppings, and serve them warm for the ultimate comfort dessert. The simplicity of this approach means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying these delectable treats with loved ones.

Close-up of a peanut butter filled cupcake in a jar, topped with melted chocolate gelato and a sprinkle of chocolate chips

If you’ve only ever baked cupcakes in a traditional muffin pan, prepare to have your mind blown by this jar method! It’s not just cute; it’s incredibly practical and yields fantastic results. My favorite trick for an even easier batter? Instead of following the full list of ingredients on the cake mix box, I simply add a can of soda to the mix. Yes, you read that right – soda! This unconventional ingredient creates an exceptionally moist and fluffy cake, turning out absolutely amazing every single time. For chocolate cake, a dark soda like Coca-Cola enhances the cocoa flavor beautifully, making these cupcakes truly irresistible.

The Charm and Convenience of Mason Jar Desserts

Using small mason jars as containers for your cupcakes adds an undeniable charm to these desserts. Beyond their adorable appearance, they offer fantastic benefits: they’re individual portions, making serving a breeze, and they are reusable, which is a win for sustainability. You don’t strictly *need* to fill them with peanut butter, but trust me, it elevates them from delicious to utterly divine. If peanut butter isn’t your preference, a dollop of hot fudge makes an equally delightful substitute. Either way, you’re guaranteed a dessert that’s rich, satisfying, and incredibly fun to eat.

While you can experiment with various cake flavors, my personal favorite for this recipe is chocolate. It’s hands down one of the best box cake mix hacks we’ve ever created. To intensify the chocolate experience, I fold in extra chocolate chips into the batter. But the real game-changer? A generous scoop of rich chocolate gelato on top, allowing its creamy texture to slowly melt and seep into the warm cupcake. This simple addition transforms a delicious treat into something truly out of this world!

These cupcakes in a jar offer the perfect solution when you need a smaller batch of treats, especially after dinner. Before, our go-to was often a recipe for 6 cupcakes, but these individual jars are ideally portioned for everyone. The magic happens as the gelato gently melts, blending its cool creaminess with the warm, fluffy cake and the gooey peanut butter filling. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that makes every spoonful pure yum!

Cupcake in a jar topped with rich chocolate gelato and colorful sprinkles, ready to be enjoyed as a fun dessert

Key Ingredient Notes for Your Cupcakes in a Jar

  1. Mini Mason Jars: We recommend using 4 oz mini mason jars. Before baking, ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and inspected for any hairline cracks or damage to prevent breakage during baking.
  2. Chocolate Cake Mix: While any flavor will work, chocolate cake mix is our top choice for this recipe, providing a rich and indulgent base that pairs perfectly with peanut butter.
  3. 1 Can of Soda: For an enhanced cocoa flavor that’s both moist and decadent, we suggest using a dark soda like Coca-Cola. Alternatively, you can follow the traditional liquid ingredients listed on your cake mix box to prepare the batter.

Delicious Optional Add-Ins & Toppings

Elevate your cupcakes with these optional, yet highly recommended, additions:

  • Chocolate Chips: Fold about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the batter for an extra burst of chocolatey goodness. They melt beautifully within the cake.
  • Peanut Butter Filling: Creamy peanut butter is ideal for stuffing the center of these cupcakes, creating that signature ooey-gooey core.
  • Ice Cream or Gelato: A scoop of your favorite ice cream or gelato (chocolate is divine!) on top is a must. Serve immediately while the cupcakes are still warm so the ice cream melts slightly and mingles with the cake.
  • Sprinkles: Add a colorful flourish with a sprinkle of your favorite decorative sprinkles for a festive touch.

Essential Tips for Baking Safely in Mason Jars

Baking directly in glass jars is a fun and popular technique, but it’s important to be aware of certain considerations. Always check for any existing information online regarding baking in glass. It’s often advised that glass jars, especially those not specifically designed for oven use (like canning jars), may crack if they have pre-existing hairline fractures. While I’ve personally never encountered this issue, it’s crucial to inspect each jar thoroughly before filling and baking. Proceed with this method at your own discretion to ensure a safe and enjoyable baking experience.

Copycat wicked good cupcakes feature chocolate desserts layered with peanut butter, multicolored sprinkles, and ice cream in glass jars on a rustic wooden table.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes in a Jar Recipe

By
Justine
You have got to try these 4-ingredient peanut butter filled cupcakes in a jar! They are ooey and gooey topped with chocolate gelato and are a little jar full of Heaven. A perfect copycat Wicked Good Cupcakes experience in a mason jar – they’re a fun and easy dessert everyone will adore.
Prep:

10
mins
Cook:

27
mins
Total:

37
mins
Servings:
12
Print Recipe

Pin Recipe
Comment

Equipment

  • 1 baking sheet
  • 12 small mason jars (4 oz)
  • 1 large mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1
    box
    chocolate cake mix
  • 1
    can
    soda
    (dark soda like Coca-Cola is best for chocolate flavor, or use ingredients on cake mix to make batter)
  • 1/2
    cup
    chocolate chips
    (optional – but adds delicious texture)
  • Creamy peanut butter (for filling)
  • Chocolate gelato or ice cream (for topping)
  • Sprinkles (optional, for garnish)

Want to save this recipe? Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!


Save Recipe (Link to Email Signup)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine your box of cake mix and the can of soda. Mix well until no lumps remain and the batter is smooth.
  3. Gently fold in the optional chocolate chips.
  4. Lightly spray the inside of your small mason jars (4 oz size) with non-stick cooking spray. Fill each jar approximately half full with batter. Do not overfill, as the cupcakes will rise significantly during baking.
  5. Arrange all filled jars on a baking sheet and carefully place them into the preheated oven.
  6. Bake for approximately 27 minutes, or until the cupcakes spring back when gently touched in the middle. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the cake.
  7. Once slightly cooled, use a small spoon or an apple corer to create a small hole in the center of each cupcake. Spoon a small amount of creamy peanut butter into the center of each cupcake, filling the cavity.
  8. Top each peanut butter filled cupcake with a generous scoop of chocolate gelato or your favorite ice cream. Add a sprinkle of decorative sprinkles if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, gooey goodness!

Nutrition Facts (Approximate)

Serving: 3oz,
Calories: 300kcal,
Carbohydrates: 41g,
Protein: 7g,
Fat: 13g,
Saturated Fat: 3g,
Cholesterol: 1mg,
Sodium: 311mg,
Potassium: 139mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 25g,
Vitamin A: 15IU,
Calcium: 41mg,
Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Information

Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
American

Tried this recipe?
Mention
@thetypical_mom or tag
#thetypicalmom!

If you’re looking for more easy and delightful desserts, why not try making a batch of air fryer cupcakes? They’re incredibly convenient and yield perfectly baked treats. The kids also adored our other soda cupcakes dessert, which uses just two ingredients and is surprisingly low in fat – making it a guilt-free pleasure for any occasion. Don’t worry too much about the calories with these jarred delights; just savor every moment of enjoyment! And if you’re preparing these for a gathering, consider pairing them with a thoughtful wine gift idea for an extra touch of hospitality.

Funnily enough, I first shared this post long before the renowned Wicked Good Cupcakes in a Jar gained widespread popularity. Perhaps I should have considered trademarking the concept back then! Regardless, the best part is that you can easily recreate these delightful, ooey-gooey treats in your own kitchen. This recipe offers a homemade twist on a beloved concept, allowing you to enjoy gourmet-style desserts without the fuss. Gather your ingredients, invite some friends, and get ready to bake some magic in a jar!

Copycat Wicked Good Cupcakes in a jar, showcasing layers of chocolate cake, peanut butter, and creamy topping