These Cookie Monster Cupcakes Are Both Yummy and Cute

First, let’s make the cookie dough. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat ½ cup butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.

Add in 1 egg and 2 tsp. vanilla extract; beat until smooth. Mix in the flour mixture, then add in the chocolate chips until just combined. Using either your hands or two spoons, form tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Place them on aluminum foil and freeze for 1.5-2 hours.

While the cookie dough freezes, start making the cupcake batter. Beat 3 eggs in a bowl. Once mixed, add in the cake mix, water, and oil until fully combined. Pour the batter into the cupcake tins until about half to 2/3 full. Place a frozen cookie dough ball in the center of each cupcake tin.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Finally, it’s time to make the frosting. Place 1 cup of softened butter in a large bowl and mix until fluffy. Add 3-5 drops of food coloring (don’t worry, you can add more later if it’s not blue enough).

Add the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and the marshmallow fluff. If you would like it to be bluer, add more food coloring now.

Place the frosting in a frosting bag with the star tip or just use a sandwich bag with the tip cut off. Pipe the frosting in a swirl (enough for candy eyes to rest on top of) and place the candy eyes on top (pro tip: have the eyes point in slightly different directions to look more like Cookie Monster!). Place a Chips Ahoy cookie where the mouth should be to complete the effect.