In my mind, there are 3 kinds of people during the holidays:
1) The Crazies: And I say crazy in a good way. These people are fanatical about the holidays and start decorating in October. Their houses are decked out (I’m talking National Lampoon’s Christmas decked out, they always make homemade gifts and always win the annual family “ugly sweater contest.” Like always. Every single year.
2) The Festive Ones: They enjoy the holidays but don’t go overboard. Holiday baking is usually happening in their kitchens and the radio station that plays holiday music 24/7 is on occasionally, they have their act together for the most part but still have lots of loose ends come December 21st. OK this might be me.
3) The Scrooges: Self explanatory .. they don’t like the holidays and can’t wait until everything is over.
Yes, you may have guessed it. I’m a festive one. I really enjoy the holidays and after being in Wisconsin last Christmas where we had our first real white Christmas. . like had to break out the snow blower white Christmas, I have to say . . Christmas is better with snow.
And cupcakes are better with candy canes and 
It’s only December 10 and we have like 50 candy canes (more if you count the mini ones) laying around the house. It’s not all me. . they seem to call my name when I’m shopping. . and my kids like them too so we pick up more.
So, what’s a girl to do with an abundance of candy canes in the house?
Oh, yes I did.
We’re big on trying new things here at my house. My kids are big on this too .. my little one dips her tortilla chips in applesauce and will eat carrots with Nutella. . so why not try a peanut butter and peppermint baked treat?
Only good things can happen when 
So, I simply swirled some peanut butter into my cake batter and sprinkled the crushed candy canes and peppermint crunch baking chips on top of the frosting. These were so yummy! You don’t get peanut butter with every bite, but when you do, it’s awesome and delicious.
If you’ve never tried 
The Giveaway!!
(my apologies! open to residents within the United States only).
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. The giveaway is sponsored by Peanut Butter & Co. All opinions expressed here are 100% my own.
I’m keen to try the Heat is On and old fashioned crunchy
These cupcakes are so darn pretty! I love the pink candy cane crumbs and that perfect buttercream swirl. Seriously pretty! Btw, I think I’m in category 2 (too!) 😉
Mighty Maple and Bees Knees!
I pretty much like peanut butter with everything, too! But now you’ve got me wanting to try tortilla chips with applesauce and carrot sticks with Nutella! These cupcakes look rich and beautiful!
If I won, I would choose Mighty Maple and White Chocolate Wonderful.
I’m def the festive one!
The cupcakes look divine! xx
Whoa these sounds incredible! I love PB+Co Bee’s Knees. But now I super intrigued by the Might Maple and The Heat is On!
Goodness gracious Alice!!! What a great idea 🙂 Maple peanut butter in chocolate peppermint cupcakes? The best idea ever!!! I totally want to try all their peanut butters but especially this maple one.
What the what! I was totally cool with this post, jammin’ along with the fact that I, too, am a “Festive” and then I saw the peanut butter and my eyes opened so so wide.. yes! Yes yes! Maple peanut butter = super extra enthusiastic ‘yes’! What a fun flavor profile for Christmas.. and that is definitely the best pb, ever.
the Mighty Maple sounds good
Love this post Alice! I’m definitely a festive type too and I absolutely agree, Christmas is better with snow.. Way better! These look so delicious. I love that you’ve shaken up the regular recipe with this yummy looking spread. I need to give that stuff a go! Looks awesome…
These cupcakes are too cute ! I love them, so easy to make, too! I’m definitely the “festive” type of person! I enjoy holiday baking 🙂
Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and Mighty Maple! I’ve had the Cinnamon Raisin flavor before and it’s too die for, but I haven’t been able to find it since I moved across the country 4 years ago.
I would pick dark chocolate dreams and cinnamon raisin swirl.
Oh man, I want then all. But white chocolate wonderful and dark chocolate dream would be my choice.
I love your description of the three types of Christmas people, totally true! I would definitely fall into the festive category. And these cupcakes are so festive, Alice! I’m loving the peanut butter flavor, too! Sounds delicious!
I totally agree — Christmas is better with snow! Love these cupcakes — totally unique!
Your categories are spot on, Alice! I’m a blend of Crazie (mostly because I start listening to Christmas music in October) and festive. Though I have been known to have my scrooge moments, particularly when it comes to putting lights on our house 🙂 These cupcakes look amazing!
LOVE these cupcakes! So pretty and delicious!
Crunch Time and dark chocolate dream!
These are so pretty and festive! I love the flavor combo. It’s great that your kids are getting adventurous with their palates. I always put lots of variety in front of my boys and there is very little they don’t like now.
LOL – that makes me think which category I fall in… I definitely want to try the heat is on and dark chocolate dreams. Oh yum!
I’d try The Bee’s Knees and Old Fashioned Crunchy.
Bees Knees and mighty maple
The Dark Chocolate Dreams and Crunch Time!
I’m going to come up to Wisconsin and have you give me piping lessons. Your cupcakes look phenomenal! And I’m sure they taste as good as they look!!!
I’d like to try The Bee’s Knees and The Heat Is On.
I would probably choose Mighty Maple and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl.
Hm… i I won I think i’d go for the Bee’s Knees and the good ol’ classic Smooth Operator…or perhaps the White Chocolate Wonderful. YuM!
I would get the white chocolate wonderful and the bee’s knees/
I did not know that they made that many. I would start with Dark Chocolate Dreams and try The
Bee’s Knees too.
Haha, the Christmas crazies are so fun to watch! Seriously, there’s one house in our street SO overly decorated, we lack in electricity all of December! I’m in love with these cupcakes Alice! So perfect for Christmas!
Nora, that’s awesome. . that one house .. I love that! 🙂
I’d want to try “Dark chocolate dreams” and “The heat is on.”
YUMMMMEEEEEEE! Dang girl, this is an inspired cupcake. I need like, two dozen, in front of me right now. I must confess, I would fall into category #1 The Crazies…but I’m not competent, artistic or organized enough to make my own decorations, gifts, etc. So let’s just say I’m a crazy in spirit, lol.
Alice, this post has me smiling. First, I’m in the category of a Festive One. Second, Christmas is definitely better with snow and third, I’m enamored with this cupcake (and the perfect piping). Happy holidays to you and yours!
Dark Chocolate Dreams and Mighty Maple!
Ha! I actually met one of the guys from Peanut Butter & Co at IFBC this year! I’ve also stayed across the street from the shop on my first trip to NYC. Hmmm, I want to go beyond the plain old creamy or crunchy so I would pick the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and The Bee’s Knees (appropriate, yes?).
Maple & Cinnamon Raisin
I am the same way! I have so many candy canes in my house right now that you would think more people live in my crib besides just me and the hub. Glad these cupcakes were made though. Gorgeous!
Hehe, I’d like to think I’m a festive one, too! Peanut butter in cupcakes – YUM! These treats are definitely getting me ready for the holiday season!
Love the peanut butter twist, Alice – you’re so clever! Can’t wait to give them a try!
I’m right there with you in the Festive department! My neighbors are in the “crazies” department with all their lights and decorations and they make our house look like chopped liver. haha These cupcakes look incredible, and why not add peanut butter? I think I could safely add peanut butter to anything and like it! 🙂
Crunch time and dark chocolate dreams.
Dark Chocolate Dreams for me, and Mighty Maple for my spouse. Although I’m sure we’d both share.
I definitely fit catagory number two. I am very festive and have gone crazy on Christmas baking. but I haven’t bought a single gift yet!! I love these cupcakes! They look delicious! 🙂
I would pick the Cinnamon Raisin and Might Maple. Thanks!
Haha, my husband falls in between the crazies and the festives while I am with you in the festive department 🙂 These cupcakes are perfectly festive and gorgeous! Nothing screams Christmas to me more than chocolate and peppermint! I love that you added the Mighty Maple peanut butter – such a great idea!
Mighty Maple and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl!
I would like to try Mighty Maple and the Heat Is On!
So fun and what a unique mix of flavors!
Oh man, these are the cupcakes of my DREAMS. Peanut butter, candy canes, AND chocolate?! Just the sound of that makes me want to faceplant into one of these beauties. Seriously gorgeous cupcakes, Alice! Totally swooning over here! Pinning. 😀
I’m in the Festive One category. I love me some Christmas spirit. This recipe is downright amazing. Peanut butter and peppermint and chocolate–oh my! Pinned.
PB and mint?! Such a creative flavor combo… I never would have thought of that… I need to give it a try!! I know if you made it, it must be good!
The Bees Knees and Cinamon Raisin would be my favorite
These cupcakes look completely delicious!
Ohh yay! I’m totally a festive one too 😉 I’d totally sign up for this giveaway, Alice, but I have my own batch of PB&Co. yummies to get through first. Next up on my list is Mighty Maple–as soon as I finish devouring my White Chocolate Wonderful, which won’t take long! Happy holidays!
I fall squarely in the ‘festives’ but appreciate the crazies… 😉 These cupcakes are gorgeous, Alice! And Mighty Maple is new to me, but I know I would love it…
Dark Chocolate Dreams is my favorite
White chocolate and dark chocolate! Im a chocoholic.
I would pick the Old Fashioned Crunchy and Crunch Time.
Such pretty looking cupcakes!!
Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and Dark Chocolate Dreams
dark chocolate dreams and the maple version – sooo good!!
I like the Maple and the Dark Chocolate Dreams.
the Mighty Maple sounds good
Mighty Maple and Bees Knees
That looks so yummy! I love the White Chocolate Wonderful peanut butter.
If I won, I would pick White Chocolate Wonderful and Mighty Maple, but all of them are fantastic! 🙂
cinnamon raisin and mighty maple
Mighty Maple and Bees Knees yummy
maple and honey
The cupcakes are gorgeous! I’ve always mixed molasses and peanut butter together, as well as maple syrup and peanut butter. The mixture of maple and peanut butter just seems natural to me. To incorporate it into the cupcakes though, amazing! Would be interesting to try the Mighty Maple along with the White Chocolate Wonderful to see what creative items I could come up with!
cinnamon raisin swirl. Old Fashioned Crunchy ty
Old Fashioned Crunchy and Dark Chocolate Dreams. The recipe looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe and the contest! 🙂
I would want White Chocolate Wonderful (which is my favorite!) and Mighty Maple (which I’m eager to try) Thanks for the giveaway!
Mighty Maple and Bees Knees!
crunch time and old fashioned crunchy
Dark Chocolate Dreams and Cinnamon Raisin Swirl!
The two flavors I’d choose would be the White Chocolate Wonderful and the Bee’s Knees, yummy!
Hmm, they do look good, but i am skeptical about combining peppermint and peanut butter. I don’t know it just doesn’t sound like they would go together 🙂
I would use Dark Chocolate Dreams and the Bees’ Knees.
Bees Knees and Mighty Maple as I haven’t tried these!
Mighty Maple and Bee’s Knees, please! By the way, I always thought “The Bee’s Knees” would make a wonderful band name…
I’m sooooooooooooo intrigued by this flavor combo! Those cupcakes are so cute!
Thanks so much, Julie! I know it may seem weird but it’s really not and you don’t get an overload of peanut butter with every bite. . these were really yummy!
These look delicious. I’d love to try the bees knees and dark chocolate.
These cupcakes look amazing!
Bees Knees and Mighty Maple
I’d have to pick Dark Chocolate Dreams and White Chocolate Wonderful! 🙂 ~ Carrie Demas
Love this peanut butter! Dark Chocolate Dreams and White Chocolate Wonderful
These are the sort of cupcakes that show you’ve put some thought into making something special for the holidays.
Crunch time and Dark chocolate dreams
Crunch time & Dark chocolate dreams
So – am not sure which category I fall into – I started decorating in early November – but, I haven’t done any shopping and only trial baking…GAH!!!
🙂
But I do agree – cupcakes are better with mile high frosting with candy canes!
I adore Peanut Butter and Co peanut butters – my favorites are the White Chocolate Wonderful and The Dark Chocolate Dreams! Thanks for this giveaway!
This frosting looks incredible! I wish I could just lick it off my screen. 🙂 And I agree, white Christmases are definitely better!
I’d choose The Heat Is On and White Chocolate Wonderful.