Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcake

When I was a kid I remember knowing most of the the people in the neighborhood.  We would often bring baking to the new neighbors, new mums and to people who needed a bit of cheer.  I was thinking about this the other day, realizing that I hardly know my neighbors.  Is this just me or do neighbors keep to themselves these days??  Determined to do something about this I have nominated my cupcakes to go to my neighbors who have recently had a baby.  I thought long and hard about what cupcake creation to make and decided that every new mum needs a good chocolate desert.  Even better yet, what about a chocolate chip cookie paired with a chocolate cupcake! Seriously! I saw a blog post for this awhile ago and have been excited to try it out.  So my experimental cupcake for the week is a chocolate cupcake with a chocolate chip cookie baked in the inside.  When you cut open the cupcake it reveals the surprise cookie inside. Genius whoever came up with this idea!

For the chocolate cupcake I used the same recipe I used for last weeks reeses cupcake and I used reserved batter from yesterdays cookie for the middle of the cake.  I filled one desert spoon of batter into the cupcake case then placed a small ball of the cookie on top, finishing it with another desert spoon of batter on top being careful not to fill the cupcake more than 2/3 full.

For the frosting I used a butter cream frosting (see below), drizzled it with chocolate sauce and sprinkled it with mini M&Ms.  These were definitely worth a try!

When you are a mum there are constant interuptions and today was no exception.  I got halfway through making these cupcakes when I had to leave them rest for awhile.  In the end I was cooking dinner and baking cupcakes at the same time.  My husband laughed when he walked in the door to see the mess.  He told me I was crazy to take on such a task.  Personally I was secretly proud of myself that I was able to pull both dinner and the cakes off and was relieved that I didnt mix up the recipes!

Butter Cream Frosting
1 1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar (icing sugar)
1/2 T vanilla
pinch of salt
1 1/2 T lukewarm water

Directions
Cream the butter with a mixer until smooth.  Add the icing sugar 1/2 c at a time mixing until completely incorporated and smooth.  Mix in the vanilla and salt at a low speed until smooth and then add the water mixing until icing is fluffy.