Nothing says spring like a cookout. Although we don’t really retire our grill during the winter, there’s something special about actually being able to sit outside on the patio while grilling, instead of leaving the poor griller to suffer in the ice and snow while we make side dishes indoors. The first chance we get, our family plans a big cookout. We have the usual cookout food, of course, but it’s just not the same without a good dessert. Since cookouts don’t call for fussy food, one of our favorite options is whipping up a batch of cookies or brownies from Pillsbury’s gluten free mixes.

These mixes are great because they’re conveniently sold at Walmart, allowing us to grab a box while we’re picking up the rest of the cookout food. No need for a special trip to a fancy grocery to grab a gluten free mix anymore! Now, while my dad pores over the different cuts of beef, as can run over to the baking aisle and grab a mix or two to whip up while the boys are doing the grilling!

A cookout is more fun with more people, so we wind up inviting a lot of our friends and family to come eat with us. While the adults are content to sit on the porch and talk, the kids seem to get bored pretty easily. After all, they’re kids, right? I usually wind up asking the kids to help me make the brownies or the cookies. It’s a great way to #MixUpaMoment that they’ll remember for years to come. After a few cookouts, the kids even started bringing their own boxes of Pillsbury’s gluten free mixes, just in case we forgot to pick some up! “Mrs. Pam! Brittany!” They say as they walk in the door, “can we make some brownies?”

From licking the batter bowl to icing and decorating the brownies or cookies, the kids have a lot of fun helping out. While they enjoy eating the fruits of their labors, it’s possible that they get even more excited about sharing the brownies with our family and friends and showing off what they made! One of their favorite treats to make and share at our family cookouts is these peanut butter brownie cupcakes.

Here’s all you need to make the cupcakes:
1 package Pillsbury Gluten Free Brownie Mix
oil, eggs and water needed to make the brownies
12 mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped

For frosting:
1 container Pillsbury Vanilla Frosting
1/2 to 3/4 cup powdered peanut butter (adjust to the your personal taste preference)

Prepare the brownies are directed on package and pour into cupcake molds. Bake as directed on package. Remove cupcakes from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cupcake. Allow to cool completely.

Prepare the frosting by mixing the vanilla frosting into a bowl with the peanut butter powder. Mix until smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.

These cupcakes are great for the kids to make and share because they’re simple, tasty, and best of all, the Pillsbury mixes and icing don’t need a lot of extra ingredients to taste great! In fact, we might have a little tradition of eating a few brownies plain before the kids get ahold of them for decorating. After all, we need to do a little quality control tasting….right?

Want to make your own peanut butter brownie cupcakes?  How do you #MixUpAMoment with Pillsbury Gluten Free Baking Mixes?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.