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1
First, start with the pretzel crust. Process the pretzels in a food processor until you have a fine crumb. Melt the 6 tablespoons of butter in the microwave (keeping an eye on it so it doesn't scorch) and pour over the crushed pretzels mixing until pretzels are evenly coated.
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2
Line two 12-count muffin tins with paper liners and spoon a tablespoon of the pretzel mixture into each liner, set aside.
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3
Preheat your oven to 375 F.
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4
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda, set aside.
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5
In a large bowl beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, oil, and applesauce until combined. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition, set aside.
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6
Measure out the buttermilk (milk and lemon juice) in a measuring up and stir in the vanilla. Add even amounts of the flour mixture and the milk mixture alternately into the peanut butter/brown sugar mixture, beating in between the addition of each until it forms a smooth mixture.
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7
Fill the liners with the batter using a regular sized ice cream scoop (or fill them 2/3 of the way full) and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Then remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.
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8
Then using a sharp knife, cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake about 3/4 of the way down, being careful not to cut through to the bottom. You can eat the part that you cut out! Set cupcakes aside.
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9
For the ganache: In the top of a double boiler (with water simmering in the bottom), heat together the 1 cup of chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir often and be careful not to scorch. Once it's a smooth combined mixture, remove it from the heat and set aside to cool.
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10
Once completely cooled spoon the ganache into the center hole of each the cupcake until it's filled to the top.
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11
To make the chocolate buttercream topping, melt the 2 1/2 cups of chocolate chips in the microwave (heat it for 30 seconds at a time, stir, then heat for additional 30 second increments until melted). Then set it aside to cool completely.
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12
In a large bowl beat (using a mixer on HIGH speed) the butter, sugar, salt, milk, and vanilla until fluffy (about 3-5 minutes). While beating (on LOW speed), pour in the cooled melted chocolate and continue to mix until completely combined into the frosting.
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13
Frost the cupcakes then garnish with extra crushed pretzels and enjoy!
