Sink your teeth into something sinfully sweet with this Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe! Imagine rich, chocolatey cake studded with chunks of Oreo cookies and topped off with a luscious cream cheese frosting flecked with even more cookies. These cupcakes are easy to whip up and absolutely beloved by kids and adults alike. The combination of soft, moist cake and velvety frosting is pure dessert bliss, making every bite a joyful celebration of everyone’s favorite cookie. Whether you’re indulging a craving or looking to impress guests, these cupcakes deliver everything you love about cookies and cream—only cuter and even more fun!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every masterpiece starts with the right building blocks! The ingredients in this Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe are thoughtfully chosen for maximum flavor, perfect texture, and that signature cookies-and-cream look. Here’s how each one works its magic in the recipe:
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb for your cupcakes—it’s the backbone of the recipe.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the cake a rich, deep chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet cookies and tangy frosting.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners help your cupcakes rise beautifully so they’re fluffy and light.
- Salt: A little goes a long way to heighten and balance the chocolatey goodness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Room temperature butter ensures the batter creams up smoothly and adds that irresistible rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens up the cupcakes while helping create that coveted light, airy texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture—don’t skip these!
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors and adds a beautiful aroma to both the cake and the frosting.
- Sour cream: Makes the crumb ultra-moist and gives the chocolate flavor an extra boost of depth.
- Whole milk: Also contributes moisture, ensuring each bite is deliciously soft—not dry or crumbly.
- Oreo cookies (coarsely chopped): Stirred into the batter for that signature cookies-and-cream texture and taste in every bite!
- Frosting ingredients (unsalted butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, Oreo cookies finely crushed): Cream cheese and butter create a tangy, lush frosting, while the cookies swap in texture, color, and plenty of fun.
How to Make Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners—using fun patterns or classic white. This simple step ensures your cupcakes release easily and look bakery-ready at the end.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This evenly distributes the leaveners so every cupcake rises beautifully, and prevents dry clumps of ingredients from sneaking into your final cupcake.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat until the mixture is pale and fluffy—this step is vital for incorporating air, which gives those cupcakes their light, tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This keeps the batter smooth and avoids lumps. Next, pour in the vanilla extract, infusing the batter with warmth and that classic cupcakes-and-cream fragrance.
Step 5: Stir in Sour Cream
Mix the sour cream into your wet mixture. The sour cream keeps the cupcakes extra moist and rich, setting the stage for the ultimate cookies-and-cream experience.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, alternate adding your dry mixture and the milk to the wet ingredients (beginning and ending with dry). Gently mix after each addition—this careful process leads to the perfect, lump-free batter that’s not overworked.
Step 7: Fold in Chopped Oreos
Switch to a spatula and gently fold in those coarsely chopped Oreo cookies. You want pockets of cookie goodness in every cupcake, so just stir until combined—don’t overmix!
Step 8: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each one about two-thirds full. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The kitchen will smell amazing!
Step 9: Cool Completely
Once baked, let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents overcooking and keeps that texture just right. Make sure they’re fully cool before you even think about frosting.
Step 10: Prepare the Frosting
In a clean bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, then the vanilla. Finally, stir in the finely crushed Oreos. The polka-dotted result is the signature look for your Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe!
Step 11: Frost and Decorate
Once the cupcakes are cool, use a piping bag, zip-top bag with the corner snipped, or just a spatula to pile on that luscious frosting. Sprinkle with more crushed cookies or top each with a mini Oreo for the cutest touch.
How to Serve Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
A cupcake this special deserves a little extra flair! Top each one with a sprinkle of extra Oreo crumbs or gently press a mini Oreo or half of a regular cookie into the frosting. Not only does this add crunch and flavor, but it also instantly signals the cookies-and-cream theme—so everyone knows something amazing awaits.
Side Dishes
Pair these cupcakes with an ice-cold glass of milk, or set them on a platter beside a big bowl of vanilla ice cream for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert spread. A mug of hot coffee, a scoop of whipped cream, or some handfuls of berries can also add lovely contrast to the rich, chocolatey cupcakes.
Creative Ways to Present
Show off your Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe at parties by displaying them on a tiered dessert stand, or arrange them in a circular pattern for a cupcake bouquet effect. For birthdays, pop a colorful candle in each, or wrap the cupcake liners with strips of cute scrapbook paper. They also look delightful in clear treat boxes as edible gifts—just tie with a bit of twine or ribbon!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cupcakes moist and fresh, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Thanks to the cream cheese frosting, chilling is the best option—they’ll stay delicious for up to four days, ready to enjoy whenever the craving hits.
Freezing
If you’d like to make the Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe ahead, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months. Simply let them cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge and frost fresh before serving for the tastiest treat.
Reheating
While these cupcakes are fantastic cold straight from the fridge, you can bring them to room temperature on the counter for about 30 minutes if you prefer a softer texture. Avoid microwaving frosted cupcakes as it can melt the frosting and change their texture.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese in the frosting?
You can, but for the creamiest, richest result, regular full-fat cream cheese is what gives this frosting its dreamy consistency and flavor. Low-fat versions can be a little runny, so be sure to chill the finished frosting before piping if you go this route.
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt is a great swap and will keep your cupcakes just as moist and tender as sour cream. Choose plain, full-fat yogurt for the closest texture and flavor in the Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe.
How do I prevent my cupcakes from sinking?
Make sure not to overmix once you add the dry ingredients, and double-check that your baking powder and soda are fresh. Also, avoid opening the oven door while baking—temperature swings can cause the centers to sink.
Can the cupcakes be made gluten-free?
You can substitute a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The rest of the ingredients, including most standard Oreo cookies, are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your labels to be sure.
Should the cupcakes be stored in the fridge or at room temperature?
Because of the cream cheese in the frosting, these cupcakes are safest (and stay fresher) when stored in the refrigerator. Simply let them sit out for a bit before serving if you prefer them less chilled.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so cheerful about biting into a cupcake that tastes just like your favorite childhood cookie. If you love a good cookies-and-cream dessert, you’re going to fall hard for the Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe. Try it out, share with friends, and watch them disappear—enjoy every cookies-and-cream-filled bite!
Print
Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent delight of these Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes. A rich, chocolate cupcake studded with chunks of Oreo cookies, topped with a creamy Oreo-infused frosting, these treats are a must-try for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 12 Oreo cookies (coarsely chopped)
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 Oreo cookies (finely crushed)
Instructions
- Prepare Cupcake Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla, sour cream. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Fold in chopped Oreos. Bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Make Frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and crushed Oreos. Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting.
- For extra Oreo flavor, press half a cookie into the bottom of each liner before adding batter.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
