Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard something about the cupcake craze that’s been sweeping the nation for the last few years. Chances are, if you have a sweet tooth, you’ve even checked out one (or many) of the specialty cupcake shops opening in cities around the country. I’m not sure how you feel about all of this, but I’m definitely a fan. To me, cupcakes are adorable, conveniently wrapped, individual servings of sugary nostalgia.

It used to be that my definition of a cupcake was plain cake topped with plain frosting – and maybe some sprinkles to make it fancy. While that definition still works, the new specialty cupcake shops have upped the ante when it comes to describing the perfect cupcake. Exotic flavors, unusual fillings, and artful decorations are becoming more and more common in the cupcake world.

After having sampled my fair share of gourmet store-bought cupcakes, I have begun to create my own at home. I’ve already told you about my forays into the fancy cupcake world with chocolate peanut butter truffle cupcakes and black bottom cupcakes. I also have a whole file of cupcake recipes just waiting to be baked, but I’m trying to pace myself… you know, so I live long enough to try them all.

Last weekend, in honor of my friend’s birthday, I decided to try one of the more elaborate cupcake recipes in my “to bake” file. I presented my friend with four different options, and let her choose her sugary pleasure. Much to my delight, she chose a recent addition to my list – chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. That’s right. Chocolate Chip. Cookie Dough. Cupcakes. Go ahead and wipe the drool off your keyboard… I’ll wait.

You should not, however, wait to try these cupcakes. Imagine rich, brown sugar-chocolate chip cake. Filled with egg-less (i.e. safe to eat) chocolate chip cookie dough. Topped with cookie dough butter cream frosting and mini chocolate chips. These cupcakes are a cookie dough lover’s dream.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you these cupcakes do take awhile to make. They have several steps, but each of them is pretty simple. If you’re anything like me, you’ll make a huge mess in your kitchen, but it will be worth it when you see the finished cupcakes. They are cute to look at and taste incredible. Hopefully your friends will like them as much as mine did.

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Typically I’m not one to be a slave to trends. However, the cupcake trend that has been sweeping the nation over the past several years has pretty much won me over. Cupcakes are delicious, nostalgic, often whimsical, and perhaps best of all, portable. Regular cakes are beautiful, but they are not easy to transport. They also require additional serving utensils and dishes. Cupcakes, on the other hand, are a different story. Individually packaged in their own wrappers, they are the perfect on-the-go treats.

Today’s cupcakes are even more portable because they don’t have frosting. This doesn’t take away from their flavor though; they are rich and decadent all on their own. Chocolate devil’s food cake with a cheesecake-like filling. Oh, and did I mention the chocolate chunks in the filling? Kids will love the chocolaty, creamy flavors, and adults will appreciate the lack of sickly sweet frosting. (Though there is certainly a time and place for frosting!) I took these cupcakes to a flag football game and they were gone before halftime.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Cupcakes

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whether you love it or hate it, the holiday can’t help but make you think of sugary goodness. With that in mind, I welcome you to Sweets Week at The Well-Fed Newlyweds. For the next week (or maybe a little longer), we will be featuring all manner of the sweet and delicious.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m convinced Stan fell in love with me, in part, because of all the apple pies I baked for him at the beginning of our relationship. Take heed single sisters, if the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then homemade baked goods must surely be the fast track to love. And while we may be newlyweds, this Valentine’s Day marks the sixth anniversary of our first date. Yes, our first date was on Valentine’s Day – a horrible day for a first date, full of unnecessary wondering over the wisdom of showing up with a card or candy. It does, however, make for a nearly impossible to forget anniversary, so that’s a bonus. (In case you were wondering, Stan showed up at my door with a couple of treats so uniquely thoughtful he still gets “awwwws” when people hear the story. Maybe I’ll tell you one day.)

No matter your plans for this Valentine’s Day, you will be happy celebrating with today’s cupcakes. Rich chocolate cupcakes with a peanut butter truffle hidden inside. Cupcakes topped with chocolate peanut butter ganache. Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Cupcakes. Are you drooling yet? You should be. Because these are mouthwateringly good. Fancy enough to share with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. Numerous enough to share with your single friends. Dangerously good enough to want to keep the whole pan for yourself.

** P.S. These cupcakes make the best tasting cake batter I have ever tasted. If you are into licking beaters and bowls, do not pass up this opportunity. Seriously, I wanted to put my face in the bowl and lick it clean. I resisted. Barely.