Name: Cake Mix Cookies and Cream Cupcakes [with Gluten-Free Option]
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 15.25 oz box white or yellow cake mix or 1 box of your favorite gluten-free brand (sizes vary); Accompanying ingredients ((usually water, vegetable oil or butter, and eggs)); 30 chocolate sandwich cookies ((24 for cupcakes, 6 for frosting - use gluten-free sandwich cookies for gluten-free option)); 2 sticks butter ((16 tablespoons or 1 cup)); 4 cups confectioners / powdered sugar; 3-4 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

These Cake Mix Cookies and Cream Cupcakes combine a box mix with homemade icing and feature a chocolate sandwich cookie baked into the bottom of each one! A creamy cookie swirled icing, moist cake and crunchy cookie surprise come together to create this sweet treat!

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Two Cake Mix Cookies and Cream Cupcakes on a light yellow plate with the one in the front cut open

I don't know about you, but I love a good recipe shortcut, especially when it comes to baking.

In fact, just the other day, my co-worker and I were discussing baking cupcakes and I asked if she made them from scratch. Her response? "I'm no Betty Hines," she said.

That amused me for the rest of the day. In fact, I think I'm still laughing about it. Oh, the things food bloggers think are funny.

Anyway, Betty, Duncan, Pillsbury...they're all welcome here, because this recipe starts with a box of cake mix (traditional or gluten-free). You can use either white or yellow...whatever floats your boat. 🙂

Other Ingredients Needed to Make These Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Your favorite brand of chocolate sandwich cookies (traditional or gluten-free)
Typical box mix ingredients such as vegetable oil or butter, eggs and water
Butter (for the icing)
Powdered sugar
Milk
Vanilla extract

How to Make These Cake Mix Cupcakes

Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. Then line two cupcake/muffin pans with baking cups. Add one cookie to the bottom of each liner.

baking cups with an Oreo cookie in each one in a muffin pan

Make cake mix according to package directions and spoon cake batter into each baking cup (½ full).

mixing the cake batter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer

Bake cupcakes according to package directions until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Now for the hard part. You have to wait until they cool to ice them. Oh, the torture!

So, while you're waiting, you can mix up your frosting. Start by crushing cookies in a food processor. Then beat butter until creamy. Add confectioners sugar, milk and vanilla and beat again. Stir in crushed cookies and refrigerate until ready to use.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, you can ice them, and more importantly, EAT THEM!

two cupcakes on plate with the one in the front cut in half to show the cookie inside

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5 from 5 votes