Indulgent Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe

Dreamy Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe: Sweet Baking Magic!

Dessert dreams come alive with these decadent cookie dough cupcakes that redefine sweet satisfaction.

Soft, fluffy cupcake bases hide a delightful cookie dough surprise waiting to tantalize your taste buds.

Every bite promises a delectable journey through layers of rich, creamy goodness.

Chocolate chip cookie dough nestled within moist cake creates an irresistible combination that melts hearts.

The frosting adds a luxurious crown to these heavenly treats, making them impossible to resist.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this showstopping dessert with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Prepare to wow everyone at your next gathering with these irresistible cupcakes that blend classic comfort with gourmet flair.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 256 kcal

Servings: 13

For Cookie Dough Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Essential base with food safety tips when heat-treating to eliminate bacteria.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, creamy texture and provides smooth foundation for cookie dough.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps achieve authentic cookie dough flavor profile.
  • Milk: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to cookie dough mixture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Adds classic chocolate cookie dough texture and delightful crunch.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor notes.
For Cupcake Batter:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structural foundation for light, tender cupcakes.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures proper rising and airy texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates tender, rich cupcake base.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and contributes to cupcake's soft texture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structural support.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to cupcake flavor.
  • Milk: Keeps cupcakes moist and tender.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.
For Frosting:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, creamy base.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like depth and richness.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile.
  • Milk: Adjusts frosting texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness.
  • Mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients and preparing different components.
  • Electric mixer: Perfect for creaming butter, beating frosting, and creating smooth textures.
  • Muffin tin: Crucial for baking cupcakes with consistent shape and size.
  • Cupcake liners: Keeps cupcakes neat and prevents sticking.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
  • Microwave or baking sheet: Needed for heat-treating flour.
  • Small knife or cupcake corer: Used for removing cupcake centers.
  • Piping bag or spatula: Helps in spreading or piping frosting.
  • Toothpick: Checks cupcake doneness.
  • Prepare Cookie Dough Safely

Toast flour in microwave or oven to eliminate bacteria. Mix softened butter, sugars, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in flour and chocolate chips. Shape tiny dough balls and freeze while preparing cupcakes.

  • Craft Cupcake Batter

Warm oven to standard baking temperature. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Incorporate eggs and vanilla. Gently blend flour mixture with milk. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full. Bake until golden and toothpick comes out clean. Allow complete cooling.

  • Create Surprise Center

After cooling, hollow out cupcake centers. Insert frozen cookie dough balls into each opening.

  • Whip Up Delicious Frosting

Blend butter and brown sugar until silky. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt. Whip until light and airy. Decorate cupcakes generously with frosting. Optional: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top for visual appeal.

  • Baking Brilliance: Ensure flour is completely heat-treated to eliminate any bacteria risk for safe consumption.
  • Freezer Magic: Freeze cookie dough balls beforehand to help them maintain shape and prevent melting during filling.
  • Texture Perfection: Don't overmix cupcake batter – mix just until ingredients combine to keep cupcakes light and fluffy.
  • Dietary Adaptations: Swap ingredients for gluten-free flour, dairy-free butter alternatives, and plant-based milk to accommodate different dietary needs.
  • Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare cookie dough and cupcake components separately up to two days in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator for easy assembly later.
  • Sweet Cookie Dough Delight: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of each frosted cupcake for extra crunch and visual appeal.
  • Dessert Party Centerpiece: Arrange cupcakes on a decorative cake stand, creating a stunning display that will wow guests at birthday parties or potlucks.
  • Nostalgic Treat Pairing: Serve alongside cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to enhance the classic cookie dough flavor and create a comforting dessert experience.
  • Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package cupcakes individually in clear gift boxes with a ribbon, perfect for special occasions or homemade gifts that show extra love and care.
  • Fridge Storage Strategy: Keep cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent frosting smudging and maintain delicate decorations.
  • Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough balls and cupcake bases separately 2-3 days in advance. Store cookie dough balls in freezer and cupcake bases in sealed container. Assemble closer to serving time for freshest taste.
  • Temperature Tip: Always serve cupcakes slightly chilled or at room temperature. Cold cupcakes maintain structural integrity, while room temperature enhances flavor complexity and frosting smoothness.
Print
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Indulgent Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe

Indulgent Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Irresistible cookie dough cupcakes blend classic dessert styles into one heavenly treat. Rich chocolate cupcakes hide edible cookie dough centers, promising sweet indulgence you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ¼ cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour, heat-treated
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup (60 g) mini chocolate chips
  • ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (optional for garnish)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Flour Preparation: Neutralize potential bacteria by heat-treating flour in the microwave or oven. Cool thoroughly before further manipulation.
  2. Cookie Dough Foundation: Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until silky. Integrate milk and vanilla extract seamlessly.
  3. Dough Composition: Fold flour and salt into butter mixture, creating uniform texture. Gently disperse miniature chocolate chips throughout the dough.
  4. Dough Chilling: Form petite spherical portions and freeze on a tray to rapidly chill and stabilize the dough.
  5. Cupcake Base Preparation: Combine dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt – ensuring even leavening agent distribution.
  6. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Whip butter and sugar until voluminous and light. Introduce eggs individually, then incorporate vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
  7. Batter Assembly: Gradually merge dry and wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix minimally to maintain delicate texture.
  8. Baking Process: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line muffin tin with protective paper liners. Distribute batter two-thirds full in each compartment.
  9. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 16-18 minutes until golden. Verify doneness with a toothpick. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  10. Cupcake Coring: Excavate the center of each cooled cupcake using a specialized tool or small knife.
  11. Cookie Dough Insertion: Retrieve frozen cookie dough balls and nestle one into the core of each cupcake.
  12. Frosting Creation: Whip butter and brown sugar until glossy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt.
  13. Finishing Touches: Pipe or spread frosting generously over filled cupcakes. Optionally garnish with additional miniature chocolate chips for visual and flavor enhancement.

Notes

  • Sanitize Flour Safely: Heat-treat flour in microwave or oven to kill potential bacteria, ensuring food safety without compromising taste.
  • Prevent Overmixing Cupcakes: Blend ingredients just until combined to maintain a light, tender texture and avoid dense, tough cupcakes.
  • Freeze Cookie Dough Strategically: Chill dough balls completely before inserting into cupcake centers, helping them maintain shape and preventing melting.
  • Balance Frosting Consistency: Adjust milk or powdered sugar gradually to achieve the perfect spreadable texture that’s not too runny or stiff.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 256
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 118 mg
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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