Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes

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Unleash your inner child with our Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes – a delightful combination of moist cake, surprise cookie dough centers, and decadent frosting. These whimsical treats are perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to bake sales, and are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. Get ready to indulge in layers of flavor and fun with every bite!

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients on the back of the box)

For Monster Cookie Dough:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup mini M&M’s

For Monster Cookie Dough Frosting:

  • 2 sticks butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6-8 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup mini M&M’s

Directions:

Prepare Cookie Dough:

  1. Cream together cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter.
  2. Beat in powdered and brown sugars, flour, vanilla, and salt.
  3. Stir in oats, chocolate chips, and M&M’s.
  4. Scoop and roll into balls; freeze on a baking sheet.

Bake Cupcakes:

  1. Prepare cake mix as directed and pour into lined muffin tins.
  2. Press a frozen cookie dough ball into each.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 14-16 minutes. Cool completely.

Make Frosting:

  1. Beat butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla until creamy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar; stir in mini chocolate chips.

Decorate:

  1. Pipe frosting onto each cupcake, covering the cookie dough.
  2. Sprinkle with mini M&M’s.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: About 2 hours (includes freezing dough)

Tips:

  • Ensure cookie dough balls are frozen solid to prevent them from baking through.
  • For a less sweet option, reduce the powdered sugar in the frosting.

Serving and Storage Tips:

Serving Suggestions:

  1. Serve Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes as a whimsical dessert at birthday parties, potlucks, or picnics.
  2. Pair them with a glass of milk for a classic combination that kids and adults will love.
  3. Display them on a dessert table with other treats for a festive presentation at special events.

Storage Tips:

  1. Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  2. To prolong freshness, store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
  3. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.

Variations:

  1. Oreo Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Add crushed Oreo cookies to the cookie dough mixture for a cookies-and-cream twist.
  2. Nutella-Stuffed Cupcakes: Fill the center of each cupcake with a spoonful of Nutella before baking for a gooey surprise.
  3. Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes: Place a miniature peanut butter cup at the bottom of each cupcake liner before pouring in the batter for a delightful surprise.
  4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Replace the monster cookie dough with classic chocolate chip cookie dough for a timeless treat.
  5. Red Velvet Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Use red velvet cake mix for the cupcakes and add red food coloring to the cookie dough for a vibrant twist.
  6. Salted Caramel Cupcakes: Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosted cupcakes and sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor contrast.
  7. Double Chocolate Cupcakes: Add cocoa powder to the cake mix and use chocolate frosting for an extra chocolaty indulgence.
  8. Coconut Cream Cupcakes: Add shredded coconut to the cookie dough and top with coconut-flavored frosting for a tropical twist.
  9. Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes: Mix lemon zest into the cake batter and fold fresh blueberries into the cookie dough for a refreshing flavor combination.
  10. Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes: Use spice cake mix for the cupcakes and add pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice to the cookie dough for a seasonal treat.
  11. S’mores Cupcakes: Add crushed graham crackers to the cake batter and top with toasted marshmallows and chocolate frosting for a campfire-inspired treat.
  12. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes: Use strawberry cake mix for the cupcakes and top with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a summery dessert.
  13. Coffee and Cream Cupcakes: Add instant coffee granules to the cake batter and top with coffee-flavored frosting for a caffeine kick.
  14. Raspberry Chocolate Cupcakes: Swirl raspberry jam into the cake batter and top with chocolate ganache for a decadent combination.
  15. Pistachio Cupcakes: Add chopped pistachios to the cake batter and use pistachio-flavored frosting for a unique twist.
  16. Maple Bacon Cupcakes: Add cooked and crumbled bacon to the cookie dough and top with maple-flavored frosting for a savory-sweet treat.
  17. Carrot Cake Cupcakes: Use carrot cake mix for the cupcakes and fold grated carrots and chopped nuts into the cookie dough for a classic dessert mashup.
  18. Almond Joy Cupcakes: Add shredded coconut and chopped almonds to the cookie dough and top with chocolate frosting and an almond for a candy-inspired treat.
  19. Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes: Swirl cherry pie filling into the cake batter and top with cream cheese frosting and a cherry for a creamy, fruity dessert.
  20. Banana Pudding Cupcakes: Add mashed bananas to the cake batter and top with vanilla pudding and whipped cream for a nostalgic treat.
  21. Caramel Apple Cupcakes: Mix chopped apples into the cake batter and top with caramel frosting and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a fall-inspired dessert.
  22. Cookies and Cream Cupcakes: Add crushed chocolate sandwich cookies to the cake batter and top with cookies-and-cream frosting for a cookies-and-cream lover’s dream.
  23. Key Lime Pie Cupcakes: Mix lime zest into the cake batter and top with lime-flavored frosting and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs for a tangy treat.
  24. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes: Add chopped strawberries to the cake batter and top with chocolate frosting and a strawberry for a romantic dessert.
  25. Blueberry Lemon Cupcakes: Mix lemon zest into the cake batter and fold fresh blueberries into the cookie dough for a refreshing citrus twist.

FAQs:

  1. Can I use homemade cake batter instead of a boxed mix? Yes, you can use your favorite homemade cake batter recipe if preferred. Adjust baking time accordingly.
  2. Can I use crunchy peanut butter in the cookie dough? Yes, crunchy peanut butter will add texture to the cookie dough, but smooth peanut butter works best for a creamy consistency.
  3. Can I omit the cream cheese from the cookie dough? Cream cheese adds richness to the cookie dough, but you can omit it if desired. Adjust other ingredients as needed.
  4. Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance and freeze it in balls until ready to use.
  5. Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips instead of mini ones? Yes, regular-sized chocolate chips can be used, but mini ones distribute more evenly throughout the cookie dough.
  6. Can I substitute almond flour for the all-purpose flour in the cookie dough? Yes, almond flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative to all-purpose flour.
  7. How do I prevent the cookie dough balls from sticking to the baking sheet? Place parchment paper or silicone baking mats on the baking sheet before freezing the cookie dough balls to prevent sticking.
  8. Can I use store-bought frosting instead of making it from scratch? Yes, store-bought frosting can be used for convenience, but homemade frosting offers a fresher taste.
  9. Can I use a different type of cake mix for the cupcakes? Yes, you can use any flavor of cake mix that complements the cookie dough and frosting flavors.
  10. Can I make these cupcakes nut-free? Yes, you can omit the peanut butter and use a nut-free alternative like sunflower seed butter for the cookie dough and frosting.

With layers of cake, cookie dough, and frosting, our Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes are a delightful treat that will enchant both kids and adults alike. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, these playful cupcakes are sure to bring joy with every bite. Whip up a batch and watch as smiles light up faces – because life is sweeter with a little bit of fun!