Name: Monster Cookie Dough Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-486356H46M7S
Total time: PT-486356H46M7S
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix; 3 eggs; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup monster cookie dough; 1/4 cup chocolate chips; 1 cup buttercream frosting; 1/4 cup m&m candies; 2 tablespoons sprinkles

Sweet chocolate chip dreams collide with monster cookie dough cupcakes in a delightful dessert adventure.

Layers of nostalgic flavors promise pure indulgence for passionate bakers.

Childhood memories swirl through each creamy bite of these playful treats.

Soft cupcake bases cradle generous dollops of irresistible cookie dough.

Chocolate morsels peek through velvety frosting, inviting tempting exploration.

Sprinkled with colorful candies, these cupcakes bring whimsy to any gathering.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this delectable creation.

Surprise Inside Adventure: Discover the joy of biting into a cupcake and finding a delightful cookie dough center that transforms an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary treat.
Kid-Friendly Baking Buddy: Perfect for baking with children, this recipe uses simple box cake mix and requires minimal complicated steps, making it an ideal family cooking project.
Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Impress friends and family with a dessert that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery, yet can be prepared with minimal effort and basic ingredients.
No-Bake Cookie Dough Twist: Enjoy the irresistible taste of cookie dough without worrying about raw egg risks, thanks to the clever cream cheese and powdered sugar filling that's safe and delicious.

Base Ingredients:

Cake Mix: Convenient pre-mixed dry ingredients for the cupcake base.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture to the cake batter.
Water: Helps blend the cake mix ingredients.
Oil: Adds moisture and softness to the cupcakes.

Cookie Dough Filling:

Cream Cheese: Adds creamy texture and richness to the filling.
Butter: Provides a smooth, rich base for the cookie dough.
Peanut Butter: Adds nutty flavor and creamy consistency.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps bind the filling.
Brown Sugar: Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the cookie dough filling.

Cupcake Accessories:

Cupcake Liners: Prevents sticking and makes serving easier.
Toothpick: Used to test the doneness of the cupcakes.

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Follow the cake mix package instructions to set your oven temperature.

Step 2: Mix Cake Batter

Prepare the cake mix exactly as directed on the box packaging.

Step 3: Create Cookie Dough Filling

In a mixing bowl, blend together:

Cream cheese
Butter
Peanut butter
Powdered sugar
Brown sugar
Flour

Whip until the mixture becomes silky smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 4: Layer First Cake Batter

Gently pour cake batter into cupcake liners, filling each about halfway.

Step 5: Insert Cookie Dough Center

Drop a generous spoonful of prepared cookie dough right into the center of each partially filled cupcake liner.

Step 6: Complete Cupcake Batter

Cover the cookie dough with additional cake batter, filling liners approximately 3/4 full.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Place cupcakes in preheated oven and bake according to cake mix instructions, typically 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge clean.

Step 8: Cool And Serve

Allow cupcakes to cool completely before enjoying these delightful treats.

Refrigerate the cookie dough filling for 30 minutes before adding to cupcakes to prevent it from spreading too much during baking.
Use room temperature ingredients like cream cheese and butter to ensure a smooth, lump-free filling mixture.
For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with gluten-free flour and use a gluten-free cake mix and cookie dough.
If you want extra richness, drizzle melted chocolate or add mini chocolate chips to the cookie dough filling.
Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and prevent the filling from becoming too soft.

Chocolate Overload: Replace the vanilla cake mix with a rich chocolate cake mix and use chocolate chips in the cookie dough filling for an intense chocolate experience.
Nutty Caramel Crunch: Add chopped pecans to the cookie dough and drizzle caramel sauce over the finished cupcakes for extra texture and sweetness.
Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap the regular cake mix for a gluten-free version and use gluten-free flour in the cookie dough to make the recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
Seasonal Spice: Incorporate pumpkin pie spice into the cookie dough during fall or add crushed peppermint candy during winter for festive seasonal variations.

Pair Creamy Peanut Butter Milk: This rich, smooth milk perfectly complements the monster cookie dough's nutty flavor and enhances the cupcake's sweetness.
Match with Classic Chocolate Stout: The deep, roasted notes of a chocolate stout beer provide a wonderful contrast to the sweet cupcake, creating a sophisticated adult dessert experience.
Create Sweet Caramel Macchiato Harmony: The espresso and caramel undertones in this drink cut through the cupcake's richness, balancing the overall flavor profile and offering a delightful sensory experience.
Elevate with Cold Brew Coffee: The smooth, slightly bitter cold brew coffee helps cleanse the palate between bites, highlighting the cupcake's complex cookie dough and cake layers.

Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover them loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Keep cupcakes at room temperature for 1-2 days if serving soon. Place in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat.
Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For frozen cupcakes, first thaw completely, then warm briefly to restore softness and enhance flavor.

Is the cookie dough safe to eat inside the cupcakes?

Yes, this recipe uses an eggless cookie dough filling made with cream cheese and peanut butter, which eliminates the risk of raw egg contamination and makes it safe to consume.

Can I use different cake mix flavors for this recipe?

Absolutely! You can experiment with various cake mix flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or yellow cake to create different flavor combinations with the cookie dough filling.

How do I prevent the cookie dough from sinking to the bottom of the cupcake?

By carefully spooning the cookie dough in the center of the partially filled cupcake liner and covering it with more batter, you’ll help ensure the filling stays in place during baking.

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.