Cinderelly, Cinderelly

When the husband is away ice fishing and you have the house to yourself, there is only one logical thing to do:

Watch embarrassingly long hours of ABC Family network.  Including "Cinderella."

I was all excited for a nostalgia trip.  Prince Charming, evil step-sisters, and shoes that could never exist in real life.

But I was disappointed.  I failed to remember that 90% of the movie involves those stupid mice.

Ah well.  Some things remain better in your memory.

These cupcakes are no such thing.  Make them now.  Make them in a few weeks.  Make them in a few months.  They will be just as good every time.  Yes that's right- today I made cupcakes.  Ridiculous cupcakes.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cupcakes
-1 stick butter, room temperature
-1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
-1/2 cup brown sugar
-1/2 cup white sugar
-1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
-1 1/4 cup flour
-1 box chocolate cake mix, plus whatever cake mix calls for (eggs, water, oil)

Frosting:
-1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
-1 cup cold milk (can't swap out and use almond or soy- cow's milk here)
-1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
-1 cup fat free Cool Whip topping

1. For starters, we'll make the cookie dough balls.  Beat together butter, 1/2 cup peanut butter, and sugars until well combined.  Add in flour, 1/3 cup at a time.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Form into 24 3/4-inch balls.  Cover with plastic and freeze until solid.  I froze mine overnight, but they'd probably be ok in an hour.

2. Preheat the oven and prepare cake mix according to directions.  Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.  Fill each cup 1/2 full with batter.  Place a frozen cookie dough ball in the center of each cup.  Bake 15 minutes, or until batter is cooked (the cookie dough center will be unbaked- this is how it's supposed to be).  Let cool completely.

3. Whip together pudding mix and milk 2 minutes, or until thickened.  Stir in peanut butter and Cool Whip until well combined.  Pipe onto cupcakes.

Ok so I picked the one crookedly place dough ball cupcake to take a picture of (ahem- that bottom right one in the pan).  Makes 24 cupcakes.  I won't bother to count the calories.  Perfect for evil step sisters.