You know what I love? A good cupcake. But you know what reliably makes a cupcake better, every single time? Cookie dough, of course.
This is a fact that has been proven time and time again with cupcakes. And I must say, Harvard Sweet Boutique offers a particularly pleasant version of this always-delicious combo. In case you're not familiar with them, Harvard Sweet Boutique is (per their website) "a gourmet baking company that specializes in handmade and decadent cookies, brownies and toffee made with the finest ingredients, including rich European chocolate, pure double-strength vanilla extracts, premium grade nuts and fresh Grade A butter." They also offer gluten-free, as well as low-carb treats (I guess frosting is low-carb, right?). Oh, and they also have a Sweet-of-the-Month Club. I love that!
The chocolate chip cookie dough cupcake is neither gluten-free nor low-carb, but it is highly delicious. It's not something they sell on their site, but it's something you could make with their cookies fo' sho'! If it makes you curious about Harvard Sweet Boutique, check 'em out here.
Chocolate cupcakes, filled with chocolate chip cookie dough (minus the eggs!), topped with vanilla buttercream and a homemade chocolate chip cookie!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (Printable version here!)
(from Sue George, owner of Harvard Sweet Boutique)
Yields: 13 cupcakes
Components:
- Chocolate Cupcakes
- Vanilla Buttercream
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling
- Chocolate Chip Cookies (use your favorite recipe)
Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup European cocoa powder
1/2 tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 cup boiling water
1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
Directions:
- Add cocoa powder and espresso powder to boiling water and leave to cool
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt together
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar with a stationary mixer or wooden spoon
- Add eggs, dry ingredients, and cocoa power/water mixture to the butter/sugar mixture and mix to combine
- Fill cupcake pans 3/4 of the way full and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 to 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
- Cool completely on cooling rack
Vanilla Buttercream
Ingredients:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, softened
1 lb. confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl and cream until smooth
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling
Ingredients:
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter (softened and cut into cubes)
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vanilla buttercream (see recipe above) or more as needed
Directions:
- Combine flour, softened and cubed butter, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a stationary mixer and mix until dough forms
- Add chocolate chips and buttercream to the dough and combine just until mixture holds together
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes Assembly
Core each cupcake by scooping out about one tablespoon of the cupcake using a paring knife, or a cupcake corer. Put the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling into a pastry bag and cut 1/2-inch off the tip. Fill each cupcake with approximately 1 tablespoon of filling.
Fill another pastry bag with the Vanilla Buttercream and attach a decorating tip of your choice (I recommend the star tip) and pipe a generous amount of icing on top of the cupcake.
Garnish the cupcakes with a wedge of your favorite homemade chocolate chip cookie and enjoy!