Dreamy Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Tooths

These decadent monster cookie dough cupcakes blend nostalgic childhood flavors with a playful twist.

Chocolate chips dance through rich, soft cookie dough nestled inside moist cupcake bases.

The sweet surprise in these monster cookie dough cupcakes catches everyone off guard with incredible depth of flavor.

Colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces add whimsical bursts of fun to each delightful bite.

Creamy frosting swirled on top creates the perfect crowning glory for this irresistible dessert.

Bakers of all skill levels can whip up these show-stopping treats that promise to delight and impress.

One taste will transport you straight to dessert paradise.

Why Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes Are So Fun

• Craft Comfort Dessert: Recreate the beloved Cracker Barrel fried apples right in your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
• Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into a rich, warm dessert without constant monitoring or complex techniques.
• Family-Friendly Sweet Treat: Delivers nostalgic flavors that appeal to all ages, making it perfect for gatherings, holiday meals, or weekend family dinners.
• Versatile Culinary Companion: Serves beautifully as a side dish, dessert, or topping for pancakes, ice cream, and other sweet indulgences.

Ingredients for Monster Cookie Dough Cupcake Magic

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides the foundation for the cupcakes.
• Cream Cheese, Butter, Peanut Butter: Creamy ingredients that create a rich and smooth cookie dough texture.
• Butter, Brown Sugar, Peanut Butter: Key components that make a decadent and flavorful frosting.
• Powdered Sugar, Brown Sugar, Flour: Ingredients that add sweetness and help bind the cookie dough and frosting together.
• Vanilla Extract, Salt: Seasonings that boost the overall taste of the recipe.
• Oats, Mini Chocolate Chips, M&Ms: Ingredients that add texture, crunch, and colorful visual appeal to the cookie dough and frosting.

Steps for Baking Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Step 1: Whip Up Cookie Dough Base

Grab a mixing bowl and blend cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter until super smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Mix Dry and Sweet Ingredients

• Powdered sugar
• Brown sugar
• Flour
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Blend everything until fully combined.

Step 3: Fold in Delightful Mix-ins

• Rolled oats
• Mini chocolate chips
• Colorful M&Ms

Step 4: Shape Cookie Dough Balls

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into perfect little spheres.

Step 5: Freeze Cookie Dough

Place cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze for about 1 hour to firm them up.

Step 6: Prepare Cupcake Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare yellow cake mix following package instructions.

Step 7: Fill Cupcake Liners

Line muffin tin with cupcake liners. Pour batter into each liner, filling about two-thirds full.

Step 8: Add Cookie Dough Center

Take frozen cookie dough balls and gently press one into the center of each cupcake batter.

Step 9: Bake Cupcakes

Bake for 14-16 minutes.

Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Cookie dough center might remain soft.

Step 10: Cool Cupcakes

Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Step 11: Create Decadent Frosting

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Peanut butter
• Vanilla extract

Until smooth and creamy.

Step 12: Build Frosting Texture

Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until reaching desired consistency.

Step 13: Enhance Frosting

• Mini chocolate chips
• M&Ms

Step 14: Frost and Decorate

Generously frost cooled cupcakes with the delightful mixture.

Notes for Soft Monster Cookie Cupcake Fans

• Chill cookie dough balls for exactly one hour to maintain their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
• Press frozen cookie dough gently into cupcake batter to ensure even baking and a perfectly textured center.
• Add powdered sugar slowly to create a smooth, creamy frosting without lumps or graininess.
• Use a pinch of salt in both cookie dough and frosting to enhance the overall flavor profile and cut through sweetness.
• Choose fresh mini chocolate chips and colorful M&Ms for maximum texture and visual appeal in your monster cookie dough cupcakes.

Creative Twists for Cookie Dough Cupcakes

• Gluten-Free Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Replace yellow cake mix with gluten-free cake mix and use gluten-free flour for cookie dough.
• Vegan Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Substitute dairy butter with coconut oil, use vegan cream cheese, plant-based milk, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Healthier Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Swap refined sugars with coconut sugar, use whole wheat flour, and incorporate almond flour for added nutrition.
• Nut-Free Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes: Omit peanut butter, replace with sunflower seed butter or cream cheese, and use nut-free chocolate chips.

Pairings for Monster Cupcake Snack Plates

• Elevate Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes Pairings
• Sip Creamy Milk Complement: Cold, whole milk creates the perfect balance, cutting through the rich sweetness and complementing the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• Select Nutty Coffee Match: Brew a medium-roast coffee with caramel undertones, which enhances the cupcake's complex flavor profile and provides a warm, robust contrast.
• Scoop Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Pairing: Serve a small scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cupcake, adding a cool, smooth texture that highlights the dessert's decadent nature.
• Enjoy Salted Caramel Latte Companion: A salted caramel latte offers a sophisticated drink that mirrors the cupcake's sweet-salty elements, creating a harmonious taste experience.

Storing Cookie Dough Cupcakes Fresh

• Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing the frosting from melting.
• Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
• Remove frozen cupcakes from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving, allowing them to soften naturally.
• Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power to restore their soft texture, being careful not to overheat and dry out the cake.

FAQs

• Is the cookie dough safe to eat raw?

Yes, this recipe uses no eggs and includes heat-treated flour, making the cookie dough safe to consume before baking.

• Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookie dough balls and freeze them up to a week in advance, and the frosted cupcakes will stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cupcakes?

No special equipment is needed – just a standard mixer, muffin tin, and basic baking tools will work perfectly.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have exactly what the recipe calls for?

You can swap peanut butter for almond butter, use different types of chocolate chips, or replace M&Ms with other candy, but keep the basic proportions the same for best results.

Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Monster cookie dough cupcakes blend childhood nostalgia with indulgent dessert magic. Peanut butter, chocolate chips, and oats create a playful twist on classic cupcakes that will delight you with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• Box mix required ingredients (typically eggs, oil, water)

Filling and Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup M&M’s candies

Decoration Ingredients:

• Additional M&M’s for topping
• Additional mini chocolate chips for topping

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
2. Incorporate powdered sugar, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, and a delicate salt pinch, mixing until completely smooth and integrated.
3. Fold in oats, mini chocolate chips, and M&Ms, creating a rich and textured cookie dough mixture.
4. Using a spoon, carefully form tablespoon-sized cookie dough portions into compact, round balls.
5. Arrange the dough spheres on a baking sheet, then transfer to the freezer for approximately 60 minutes to firm up.
6. Heat the oven to 350F (175C), ensuring precise temperature for optimal baking.
7. Prepare yellow cake mix according to package guidelines, whisking until batter is light and consistent.
8. Arrange cupcake liners in a muffin tin, filling each approximately two-thirds full with cake batter.
9. Remove frozen cookie dough balls and gently nestle one into the center of each cupcake batter, ensuring partial submersion.
10. Bake for 14-16 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that emerges clean (cookie dough center may remain slightly soft).
11. Allow cupcakes to cool completely at room temperature before proceeding with frosting.
12. Create frosting by vigorously beating butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
13. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until reaching desired thickness and spreadability.
14. Enhance frosting by stirring in mini chocolate chips and M&Ms for added texture and visual appeal.
15. Generously coat cooled cupcakes with the decadent frosting, ensuring full coverage.

Notes

• Freezing cookie dough ensures they maintain shape during baking and prevent sinking completely into cupcake batter.
• Use room temperature ingredients like butter and cream cheese for smoother, more evenly mixed dough and frosting.
• Gluten-free option works by substituting regular flour with gluten-free blend and using gluten-free cake mix for celiac-friendly version.
• Store cupcakes in airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg