Ingredients

The following ingredients have 12 Servings
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 3/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, (optional)
  • 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, (recommended: Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix (or your preferred brand))
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) vanilla pudding mix, (dry (do not prepare))
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, (softened to room temperature)
  • 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese. (softened to room temperature)
  • 2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/16 teaspoon (tiny pinch) fine sea salt
  • 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chip cookie crumbs, (plus more for garnish if desired)

Instruction

  • PREP: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two cupcake pans with liners (24 liners total). Set aside.
  • CUPCAKE BATTER: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with a fork. Add the sour cream, canola oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Stir until completely combined. Add the cake mix and pudding mix to the bowl. Stir until mostly combined (streaks of cake mix will still be there). Pour in the buttermilk and mix until the batter is fully combined and smooth. Don't overmix. With a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips.
  • BAKE: Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full (batter should yield 24 cupcakes). Bake for 18-23 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean or with moist crumbs when inserted in the middle of a cupcake. Remove from the oven and allow to completely cool before frosting.
  • FROSTING: In a large bowl (or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat together the butter and cream cheese. Add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract and salt. Slowly add the heavy cream to reach desired consistency. With a spatula, fold in about 1/2 cup of chocolate chip cookie crumbs.
  • DECORATE: Frost cupcakes with a table knife and top with additional cookie crumbs if desired.