Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cupcakes

So, I’ve been reading a book called The 5 Love Languages.

And the book is supposed to contain the secret to lasting love. Which is a good thing, because un-lasting love kinda sucks.

Unless it’s love of trans fats or ferrets or unflattering hats.

In which case I’d say, let it go.

Soon.

Anyways, the point that this book is trying to get across is that we all give and receive love differently. And that what gives one person the warm fuzzies might give another person the not warm fuzzies.

According to the author, Gary Chapman, the 5 Love Languages are:

And as it turns out (surprise, surprise) my husband and I do not speak the same Love Language.

My Love Language is Acts of Service, with Receiving Gifts a close second. What this means is that I would feel extremely loved by the following scenario:

ME: Oh boy…I’m really tired…and I’ve still got so much to do. Man, being a mom is super hard.

HUSBAND: Oh, don’t worry honey. I’ve already emptied the dishwasher, folded the laundry that was in the dryer, and paired up all the stray socks (which I’ve been putting off, but my husband would be too nice to say so).

ME: Oh Em Gee, are you serious? I feel so loved, it’s like I’m in a cocoon of love right now.

HUSBAND: Well sweetie pie, just sit down and relax. I took the liberty of purchasing all the seasons of The Hills on DVD. Why don’t you put your feet up and relive a simpler time…when Heidi’s face wasn’t about to break in half.

ME: Oh honey, I never dreamed anyone could ever love me so.

HUSBAND: And by the way, I stopped at the Shell station on the way home and grabbed you a bottle of cheap white wine and a box of Hot Tamales. Would you like me to hold them for you while you put on your Snuggie?

ME: This is too good to be true!!! I love you!! Thanks for speaking my Love Language!!

My husband’s Love Language however, is Physical Touch with Words of Affirmation a close second. Which means that he would feel extremely loved by the following scenario:

HUSBAND: Boy, bringing home the bacon sure is exhausting.

ME: Here honey, come sit down. I want to hug you a whole bunch.

HUSBAND: Who are you and how much money did you spend on Amazon?

ME: What is wrong with a wife wanting to hug her husband while she tells him how sweet and smart and wonderful he is?

HUSBAND: Okay seriously….did you buy a new Coach bag? Really honey, as long as there’s enough money left for groceries and my hunting license, it’s okay.

ME: (as I’m hugging him a whole bunch) See sugar pie, that’s what is so great about you. Not only are you smart and strong and hard working, but you also understand my love of expensive handbags. You are the best and handsomest husband in all the land.

HUSBAND: Gee babe, I never realized I could feel so manly yet warm and fuzzy at the same time!! I love you!! Thanks for speaking my Love Language!!

Obviously, I’m so glad I discovered this book. Now I can look forward to a long life of love, hugs, cheap white wine, and The Hills on DVD.

I don’t really know how Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cupcakes fit in to this post, but they do.

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cupcakes have a place anywhere, don’t they?

If you checked out my post on Tidy Mom a couple of weeks ago, you saw the Turtle Cheesecake Cupcakes I made using a box of Jello-O No Bake Cheesecake. Well, I still had another box hanging out in the pantry and decided to make good use of it.

(click here for printable recipe)

INGREDIENTS

20-ish chocolate cupcakes (from a mix…homemade…whatevah floats your boat) The number of cupcakes really depends on how much filling you use per cupcake. If you’re stingy you’ll get a full 2 dozen. If you’re generous, it will be 20 or a few less.

1 box of Jell-O No Bake Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup peanut butter

5 Tablespoons butter, melted

2 Tablespoons sugar

Miniature Reese’s cups (1 per cupcake), quartered

After your cupcakes are cooled, prepare the cheesecake filling according to the box instructions, adding the 1/2 cup of peanut butter halfway into the 3 minute mixing time.

Place the cheesecake filling in the refrigerator while you prepare your cupcakes to be filled.

Using a the bottom of a large piping tip or a small round cookie cutter, press into the middle of each cupcake. (If you don’t have a cutter, you can cut a circle with a small knife).

Press the cutter down about a third of the way and then remove it. It should remove a circle of cake from the center of the cupcake.

After you’ve cut a circle from every cupcake, mix your packet of graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and sugar in a medium bowl.

Remove the peanut butter cheesecake filling from the refrigerator and fill the holes to overflowing. Spread excess on the top of the cupcake. Sprinkle with graham cracker mixture and top with chopped Reeses Cups.

If these cupcakes don’t say “I love you”, then I don’t know what will.

Besides a Snuggie.

Those things are dang cozy.

Have a fabulous Monday!!