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Homemade Circus Animal Cookies Recipe

By 1 Comment

Make your own circus animal cookies with this recipe! Buttery shortbread cookies dipped in melting chocolate and decorated with sprinkles.

You might also like our homemade Hostess Cupcakes, copycat Chick-fil-A Chocolate Chunk Cookies, or Cosmic Brownie Cookies.

homemade circus animal cookies

Watch our step by step video!

Circus animal cookies have been a classic storebought treat for decades. I loved them as a child and still buy them as an adult! The description of the iconic cookies states that the cookies are shortbread. When I examined the ingredient list I found that they are not true shortbread cookies. Shortbread cookies are typically made from butter, sugar, and flour.

circus animal cookies on parchment paper

The store-bought version of circus animal cookies are made from items that I've never baked with before like palm kernel oil and invert sugar. They also contain ingredients like baking soda, cornstarch, and milk that aren't typically found in shortbread cookies.

All that to say, my version is a true shortbread cookie. They look JUST like the originals but have a buttery flavor like classic shortbread.

Homemade Circus Animal Cookies

I love how simple shortbread cookies are. 3 ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, and flour. No eggs, leavening, or flavor add-ins, although you can add a splash of vanilla if you’d like. They are so fun to customize!

hand holding circus animal cookie

This recipe makes over 100 tiny cookies. You can, of course, make a half batch if you'd like. Because they are coated in a melted candy coating they'll stay fresh for up to a week.

hand holding circus animal cookie broken in half

I rolled my dough out nice and thin and baked the cookies a bit longer than I typically do for the same classic crispy cookie texture that we all know and love. Just look at those crispy layers!

Circus Animal Cookie Cutters

hand holding box of small animal cookie cutters

You can use any small animal cookie cutter that you'd like, but if you're looking for the perfect cookie cutters, I found these Noah's Ark mini cutters on Amazon. They are just the right size and I especially think the giraffe and elephant shapes are cute.

bowl of pink and white circus animal cookies

3 More Cute Treats You Might Like

  1. Brownie "Cake" Pops (no frosting or cream cheese required)
  2. Frozen Bananas
  3. 3-Ingredient Twix Candy Bars

 

bowl of pink candy melts and sprinkles

Candy melt brands vary and everyone has one that they prefer. Ghirardelli white melting wafers are my favorite for flavor. White almond bark is easy to work with too. I do not recommend ChocoMaker colored candy melts because I think they have a very strange aftertaste, but others might not find that to be the case. Sweet Tooth Fairy and Wilton's candy melts have a more mild flavor. If you find them to be too thick you can add a small amount (teaspoon) of coconut oil and stir it into the melted candy.

Circus Animal Cookie Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter (salted or unsalted)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 12 oz. white chocolate candy melts or white almond bark.
  • 12 oz. pink candy melts
  • nonpareils sprinkles

rolled dough cut out with cookie cutters

How To Make Circus Animal Cookies

Combine butter, powdered sugar, and flour in a large bowl using an electric mixer (I use my stand mixer with a paddle attachment). The dough will appear crumbly, but keep mixing and it will turn into a soft dough. Trust me! You can also press the crumbly mixture with your hands into a ball of dough (watch my video to see how I do this).

ball of shortbread cookie dough and rolling pin

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin. The dough should be no thicker than ¼″.

cookie cutter cutting shapes in cookie dough

Cut out using a small star cookie cutter and place on an ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

baking sheet of circus animal cookie cutters

Bake at 325 degrees for 13-14 minutes. Let the cookies cool on a baking sheet. Cool completely.

Note: The edges and bottoms of the cookies should be a light golden brown. I cook these cookies a little longer than normal so they are nice and crisp. Perfect for dipping and has the same texture as circus animal cookies.

Note: I only bake on light-colored baking sheets. If you are using dark-colored sheets you'll need to watch the cookies starting around 10 minutes.

cookie dipped in white candy melts

While cookies cool melt the colored melting chocolate according to the package instructions. I like using almond bark for the white chocolate coating.

Note: I find that it’s easiest to dip one color at a time. This way you don’t have to worry about the other colors cooling and hardening while you are dipping the other cookies.

Dip cookies into the melted chocolate. Flip over with a fork and cover the cookie completely. Lift the cookie out of the melted chocolate with a fork, tapping the fork against the side of the bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off.

circus animal cookie cutters on baking sheet

Place dipped cookies back on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle with sprinkles.

pink and white circus animal cookies on parchment paper

Repeat until all cookies have been covered.

Once hardened, store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

bowl of circus animal cookies

Homemade Circus Animal Cookies Recipe

bowl of pink and white circus animal cookies
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Circus Animal Cookies

Homemade circus animal cookies with this recipe! Buttery shortbread cookies dipped in melting chocolate and decorated with sprinkles.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
cool 15 minutes
Total Time 49 minutes
Servings 100 cookies
Calories 65kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Equipment

  • electric hand mixer or stand mixer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup room temperature butter salted or unsalted
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 12 oz. white chocolate candy melts or almond bark
  • 12 oz. pink candy melts
  • nonpareils sprinkles

Instructions

  • Combine butter, powdered sugar, and flour in a large bowl using an electric mixer (I use my stand mixer with a paddle attachment).
    Note: The dough may appear crumbly, but keep mixing and it will turn into a soft dough. Trust me! You can also form the dough with your hands.
  • Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface using a rolling pin until it's ¼" thick.
  • Cut out shapes using small animal cookie cutters and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 13-14 minutes*. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. Cool completely.
    *The edges and bottoms of the cookies should be a light golden brown. I cook these cookies a little longer than normal so that they are crisp once cooled. Perfect for dipping and has the same texture as circus animal cookies.
  • While the cookies cool, melt one color of melting chocolate according to the package instructions.
    I find that it's easiest to dip one color at a time. This way you don't have to worry about the other color cooling and hardening while you are dipping the other cookies.
  • Dip cookies into the melted chocolate. Flip over with a fork and cover the cookie completely. Lift the cookie out of the melted chocolate with a fork, tapping the fork against the side of the bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off.
  • Sprinkle with nonpareil sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
  • Repeat with the other color until all cookies have been dipped and covered.
  • Allow cookies to set up.

Video

Notes

Once hardened, store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 65kcal

Copycat Subway Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

By 7 Comments

With two types of chocolate chips, these cookies look and taste just like Subway double chocolate chip cookies! Honestly, they are better!

You might also like our copycat Chick-fil-A cookies, or the famous New York Times Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookies! Make sure to also check out the viral Martha Stewart fired me cookies!

Double chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper.

Adding a cookie to your sandwich combo is an easy way to satisfy a sugar craving, but the cookies that Subway makes are frozen balls of cookie dough from Otis Spunkmeyer that are baked up and sold at sandwich shops. You can easily make a delicious version that tastes even better at home with my copycat recipes.

3 types of copycat subway cookies

I have copycat versions of Subway's chocolate chip cookies, and their white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Today I'm sharing a recipe for their double chocolate chip cookies! Rich, chocolate cookies loaded with white chocolate chips and semisweet chips.

Why I Like This Recipe

Basic Ingredients. These cookies have rich chocolate flavor without needing to melt chocolate baking bars. My recipe uses baking cocoa, which is inexpensive and easy to use---and they still have rich chocolate flavor. Why? I think it's because I use two different kinds. You don't have to do this, but after making these cookies many, many times, I truly think it makes a difference. The cookie base is the same one that I use for these, these, and these. I don't mess around with a good thing! To get the best flavor, I highly recommend using a 50/50 mix of regular baking cocoa and Hershey's special dark baking cocoa (or Dutch-process).

Quick chill time. Because they are made with melted butter, a short chill time is required, but don't worry! These cookies don't need to chill for a few hours; a quick 30-minute rest in the refrigerator is all they need to achieve the perfect texture.

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What Others Are Saying

This cookie recipe is soooo good---Mo

Recipe Ingredients

Bowls of flour, sugars, baking soda and salt next to an egg, stick of butter, chocolate chips and vanilla.
  • Melted Butter: I use salted butter, but you can use whatever you'd like.
  • Cocoa Powder: I use a 50/50 mix of regular baking cocoa and Hershey's Special Dark baking cocoa for rich flavor.
  • Brown Sugar and White Sugar: I used a combination of light brown sugar and white granulated sugar.
  • Chocolate chips: a 50/50 combination of white chocolate chips and semisweet chips.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Copycat Subway Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cocoa powder and melted butter mixed together in bowl.

Step 1: Combine melted butter and cocoa powder. Stir until smooth.

Bottle of vanilla extract pouring some into batter.

Step 2: Mix brown sugar and white sugar with the butter/cocoa mixture. Add eggs and vanilla.

white chocolate chips and semisweet chocolate chips mixed in with cookie dough

Step 3: Stir in salt, baking soda, and flour. Mix in chocolate chips.

White chocoalte chips stirred into chocolate cookie dough.

Step 4: Chill dough for 30 minutes. Scoop dough onto cookie sheets. Press extra chocolate chips onto the top of each cookie dough ball, if desired.

Cookie dough balls on baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pan (you can transfer them to a cooling rack if you'd like).

Storage Tip

Once the cookies have cooled completely, I like wrapping them individually in plastic. It not only keeps them fresh but is also an easy way to package them for lunches and snacks.

Do I need to chill the dough?

You do not need to chill the dough for an extended period of time (4+ hours). However, the dough is sticky and wet and needs to chill for 30 minutes. Leave the un-scooped cookie dough in the refrigerator while the other cookies bake. Pull the bowl out of the refrigerator when ready to bake up another baking sheet of cookies so the cookie dough doesn’t warm up again.

How do you store chewy chocolate chip cookies?

I store these cookies the way that I store all of my cookies. In an airtight container or wrapped individually in plastic for single-size portions.

What are the best baking sheets for baking cookies?

I prefer to bake on light-colored baking sheets. If you use dark metal sheets you’ll need to watch closely to make sure that the cookies don’t brown too quickly.

double chocolate chip cookie on parchment paper

More Copycat Recipes to Make

MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💛 Please leave a STAR rating and COMMENT below! Post it to Facebook or Pinterest to easily share with friends!

Copycat Subway double chocolate chips cookies on parchment paper.
Print Pin
4.34 from 3 votes

Copycat Subway Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

With two types of chocolate chips, these cookies look and taste just like Subway double chocolate chip cookies! Honestly, they are better!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 30 cookies
Calories 200kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter melted
  • ½ cup cocoa powder (I use a 50/50 blend of regular baking cocoa and dark baking cocoa)
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cup flour
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Mix melted butter and cocoa powder together until smooth.
  • Mix in sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing with each addition. Add vanilla. 
  • Add salt, baking soda and flour.
  • Stir in chocolate chips.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough using a medium cookie scoop. Press a few chocolate chips into the top of each cookie before baking.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pan (you can transfer them to a cooling rack if you'd like).

Video

Notes

  • Once the cookies have cooled completely, I like wrapping them individually in plastic. It not only keeps them fresh but is also an easy way to package them for lunches and snacks.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 137mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Strawberry Banana Trifle

By 2 Comments

This strawberry banana trifle is as delicious as it is beautiful with its layers of fresh strawberries, angel food cake, banana pudding, and cream! This post contains an affiliate link.

You might like my collection of 15 no-bake desserts! Trifles, icebox cakes, and more! For a simple summer dessert try my homemade strawberry shortcake made with flakey biscuits.

strawberry banana angel food trifle

Watch our step by step video!

Angel food cake with fresh strawberries and cream is my all-time favorite dessert recipe, closely followed by banana cream pudding (the layered kind with Nilla wafers). It was only fitting to combine the two flavors in this yummy strawberry BANANA trifle.

Strawberry Banana Trifle

Layers of angel food cake, fresh strawberries, and a mixture of whipped cream and banana pudding. You can add banana slices to the layers if you'd like, but I only added a few on top as a garnish. Trifle desserts sound fancy, but are actually super easy to make.

CAN YOU MAKE BERRY TRIFLE IN ADVANCE?

This strawberry trifle makes 12 delicious servings. The best part about trifles? They taste just as good, if not better, on day 2 so they are great to make ahead and the leftovers are just as yummy.

strawberry trifle in bowl

Best Trifle Bowl for Desserts

I bought this trifle bowl a couple of years ago and absolutely love it. I like that it doesn’t have a stand on it which makes it much more practical for everyday use. It works great as a salad and punch bowl, too. Did I mention that it comes with a lid? Perfect for storing leftovers. Everything I make looks simply stunning in it!

If you don't have a trifle bowl you can make this in a 9x13 baking dish, large glass bowl or make individual trifles in small plastic cups like I did in this post (there's a photo at the end showing individual trifle cups).

fork with strawberry, cream and cake

ANGEL FOOD CAKE FOR TRIFLE

The decision to make your own cake or buy one is entirely up to you. I sometimes make mine using a boxed mix, but this time I bought one from the bakery section at my grocery store. If you make a boxed angel food cake you'll probably only use ¾ of the cake (the storebought ones in the bakery are smaller so you'll use the entire cake if you purchase one of those). You can also make this with pound cake.

Strawberry Banana Trifle Ingredients

bowls of cake, sliced strawberries and milk with box of banana pudding and two containers of whipped cream

  • 1 angel food cake: store-bought or homemade.
  • 1 (3.4 ounce) box of instant banana cream pudding
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 16 ounces Cool whip (or whipped cream)
  • 2 pounds fresh strawberries, sliced (reserve some to put on the top of the trifle before serving)
  • 1 banana

strawberry banana trifle layered in glass bowl

How To Make Strawberry Banana Pudding Trifle

  • Cut the cake into bite-sized pieces.
  • Beat milk and 1 box of instant vanilla pudding mix in a bowl. Fold in 16 ounces of regular or light whipped cream.
  • Spoon ⅓ of the pudding mixture into your trifle dish.
  • Add a layer of sliced strawberries.

layer of angel food cake on top of cake

  • Add half of the cake cubes.
  • Repeat with another layer of pudding, strawberries, the rest of the cake, and end with the rest of the pudding mixture.
  • Refrigerate trifle 1-2 hours before serving for best results. The fruit juices, cream, and pudding soak into the cake allowing everything to meld and become soft.

angel food strawberry banana trifle in glass bowl

Top with more sliced strawberries and a slice banana before serving.

Strawberry Banana Trifle Recipe

strawberry trifle in bowl
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Strawberry Banana Trifle

This strawberry banana trifle is as delicious as it is beautiful with its layers of fresh strawberries, angel food cake, banana pudding, and cream!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 180kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Equipment

  • trifle bowl
  • mixing bowl
  • spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 angel food cake homeamde or store bought
  • 1 3.4 oz. instant banana pudding mix
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 16 oz. light whipped topping (Cool Whip)
  • 2 lbs. fresh strawberries sliced
  • 1 banana sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Cut angel food cake into 1" bite-sized pieces.
  • Beat pudding mix and milk with a hand mixer until smooth in a large mixing bowl. Fold in whipped topping with a rubber spatula.
  • Spoon ⅓ pudding mixture into bottom of trifle bowl.
  • Add a layer of sliced strawberries.
  • Add ½ of the angel food cake cubes.
  • Add ⅓ pudding mixture followed by another layer of strawberries.
  • Add remaining angel food cake cubes.
  • Spread with remaining pudding mixture.
  • Chill 1-2 hours.
  • Add sliced strawberries and a sliced banana on top of the trifle before serving.

Video

Notes

If you don't like cool whip you can use heavy whipping cream with a bit of powdered sugar added to it. Beat heavy cream and sugar in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal

Easy Lemon Loaf Cake Recipe (Video)

By 20 Comments

The easiest lemon loaf recipe! Made with the ease of a cake mix and homemade lemon icing, it is absolutely delicious. You'll love this cake! 

You might also like our lemon sugar cookies! Our famous bakery style sugar cookies taken up a notch with a delicious lemon frosting and lemon wedge. If you like lemon desserts as much as I do you might like this collection of 20 lemon recipes that I put together.

easy lemon loaf cake and slices of cake

 

Watch our step by step video!

Easy Lemon Loaf

If you've been around for a minute, you know how much I love lemons. You also know that I rarely make cakes from scratch. Why go through the effort when boxed cake mixes work amazingly well?

I took a series of cake decorating classes years ago, and one of the biggest takeaways was that boxed cake mixes are the way to go 90% of the time. My instructor shared several tips for doctoring up a cake mix to make it your own and I’ve found it super helpful over the years. This lemon cake is no exception. Our lemon loaf is ridiculously easy to make with lemon cake mix, but don't worry----you still get ALL THE CREDIT. If you like the lemon loaf slices from Starbucks you'll enjoy making your own with this recipe---for a fraction of the price! 

platter of lemon cake slices
Our homemade lemon frosting is my FAVORITE to add to cookies and cupcakes. I like spreading it across my cooled lemon loaf, then letting it chill until it sets up, making it easier to cut into slices.

Lemon Loaf Ingredients

  • lemon cake mix
  • lemon pudding mix
  • eggs
  • water
  • oil
  • sour cream

Lemon Frosting Ingredients

  • butter
  • lemon juice
  • powdered sugar

frosted lemon loaf cake with lemon slices

How To Make Copycat Starbucks Lemon BRead

collage of process shots, batter, batter in pan, baked cake and frosted loaf cake

Baking your loaf couldn't be easier. Mix the ingredients together using an electric mixer. Pour into two prepared loaf pans and bake for 45-50 minutes. Let the pans cool for 10 minutes before removing the loaf cakes and letting it cool completely on a rack.

bite of lemon loaf on fork
Frost the cooled loaf with the lemon icing then chill until the icing is set. This recipe yields two loaves of delicious, tangy, cake. This cake can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several days.

More lemon recipes you'll love!

Lemon Curd Mini Cheesecakes

Lemon Blueberry Scones

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

platter of lemon cake slices

Easy Lemon Loaf Recipe

frosted lemon loaf cake with lemon slices
Print Pin
4.88 from 16 votes

Easy Lemon Loaf Cake

The easiest lemon loaf recipe! Made with the ease of a cake mix and homemade lemon icing, it is absolutely delicious. You'll love this cake!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 day 45 minutes
Cool 2 hours
Total Time 1 day 2 hours 55 minutes
Servings 16 slices
Calories 250kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Ingredients

Lemon Loaf

  • 1 box lemon cake mix ( 15 oz.)
  • 1 3.4 oz. box lemon pudding mix (instant mix)
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 cup water
  • ⅓ cup sour cream

Frosting

  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • 3-4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    Spray 2 (8x4") loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom with a small rectangular piece of parchment paper.
  • Stir cake mix, pudding mix, oil, water, eggs, and sour cream together. Beat with an electric mixer for 1 minute.
  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
    Bake for 45-50 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, it is done.
    Note: every oven bakes differently. Start checking for doneness around 35-40 minutes. When I make this recipe it takes 50 minutes to bake my loaves.
  • Let loaf cool 10 minutes. Run butter knife around edges of loaf and pan. Turn pan over to remove cake. Peel off parchment paper from the bottom of the cake.
  • Let the cake cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
  • Mix butter, lemon juice and powdered sugar togehter. Beat with electric mixer until smooth.
  • Frost top of lemon loaf. Refrigerate until set.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal

Chocolate Cupcake COOKIES! Soft and Delicious

By 1 Comment

Chocolate cupcake cookies are just plain fun—when you want a chocolatey cookie AND fluffy frosting. We love these show-stopping cookies and don’t forget the chocolate sprinkles! This post contains an affiliate link.

You might also like our yellow cupcake cookies, our Hostess cupcake COOKIES, or our copycat Subway chocolate chip cookies.

chocolate cupcake cookies

Watch our step by step video!

I know what you're thinking---cupcake cookies? Why not just make cupcakes? I'll tell you why. Cookies are better than cupcakes. There, I said it. I'll take a soft and chewy cookie any day of the week over a cupcake. These cookies are the best of both worlds. A soft, chewy chocolatey cookie with a swirl of fluffy chocolate buttercream and sprinkles. So good, so easy to make and so fancy!

The chocolate cookie dough base is the same one that I use for Texas sheet cake cookies, Frankenstein cookies, German chocolate cookies, and Hostess cupcake cookies. It's a delicious and versatile recipe.

chocolate cupcake cookies on baking sheet

Chocolate Cupcake Cookies Ingredients

CHOCOLATE COOKIE DOUGH

  • melted butter: I always use salted butter for my baking recipes
  • unsweetened cocoa powder: I used a combination of regular baking cocoa and Hershey’s Special Dark.
  • brown sugars: a mixture of brown and white sugar gives these cookies the perfect texture.
  • vanilla extract: have you tried making your own vanilla extract? It adds amazing flavor to your baked goods.
  • eggs: for richness and texture
  • baking soda: for leavening
  • salt: for flavor (use any kind you'd like)
  • all-purpose flour

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • butter: softened (room temperature)
  • baking cocoa: I used a combination of regular baking cocoa and Hershey's Special Dark baking cocoa.
  • powdered sugar
  • milk
  • vanilla extract

 

hand holding chocolate cookie with chocolate frosting

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE Cupcake COOKIES

Combine melted butter and cocoa powder in a large bowl and mix. Add sugars and mix until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients.

Chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour.

Scoop cookie dough onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

unfrosted chocolate cookie on baking sheet

Once the cookies are cool, beat the butter for the frosting until fluffy then beat in the other ingredients. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.

piping bag with chocolate frosting and cookies

You can spread the frosting over the cookies with a butterknife or pipe with a frosting tip. I think piping the frosting is faster and love how easy it is to add rosettes with a 2D tip.

piping bag with tip adding frosting to cookie

To pipe a rosette simply start in the middle of the cookie with a star then continue to pipe, going in a circle until the cookie is covered. For a better visual, watch my video!

chocolate cookies with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles

Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles over the cookies and store them in an airtight container. The frosting will set up slightly as the cookies stand, enough to stack 2 cookies tall after a few hours.

chocolate cupcake cookies on parchment paper

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST COOKIES

  • Use room temperature ingredients. Butter can be slightly chilled, but should be soft when your thumb is pressed into it.
  • Use an electric mixer. A stand mixer or electric hand mixer works great. You can make cookies by hand, but an electric mixer is best for creaming the butter and sugar together.
  • Bake on light cookie sheets. All of my recipes are aimed at baking with light metal cookie sheets. That’s all I bake with. If you use dark sheets you’ll need to keep an eye on the cookies and adjust the baking times, if necessary.

hand holding cupcake cookie

Chocolate Cupcake Cookies Recipe

chocolate cupcake cookies on baking sheet
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Cupcake Cookies

Chocolate cupcake cookies are just plain fun—when you want a chocolatey cookie AND fluffy frosting. We love these show-stopping cookies and don’t forget the chocolate sprinkles!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings 28 cookies
Calories 245kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 ¼ cups flour

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 ½ cups butter softened, 3 sticks
  • 6-7 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup baking cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 5-6 Tablespoons milk
  • chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

Cookies

  • Melt two sticks of butter (1 cup) in the microwave. Combine melted butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Stir until smooth.
  • Mix brown sugar and white sugar with the butter/cocoa mixture.
  • Add eggs and vanilla.
  • Mix in salt, baking soda, and flour.
  • Cover bowl with plastic and chill dough for 45 minutes- 1 hour.
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Scoop dough onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets using a medium cookie scoop (2 Tbsp. size).
  • Bake cookies for 10 minutes.
  • Let the cookies cool on a cookie sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting

  • Beat frosting ingredients on medium speed until mixed then turn the speed up to med-high or high and beat for 2-3 minutes, until fluffy.
  • You can spread the frosting over the cookies with a butterknife or pipe with a frosting tip. I think piping the frosting is faster and love how easy it is to add rosettes with a 2D tip.
    To pipe a rosette simply start in the middle of the cookie with a star then continue to pipe, going in a circle until the cookie is covered. For a better visual, watch my video!
    Sprinkle cookies with chocolate sprinkles.

Video

Notes

Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles over the cookies and store them in an airtight container. The frosting will set up slightly as the cookies stand, enough to stack 2 cookies tall after a few hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal

Layered Strawberry Pound Cake (No Bake)

By 5 Comments

This layered strawberry pound cake is a delicious and decadent dessert. It comes together in minutes with pre-made butter pound cake, strawberries, and whipped cream!

 

frosted pound cake with strawberries

No Bake Layered Strawberry Pound Cake

This is a cake that came together out of necessity one year. We had just moved to California and were living in temporary housing on an Air Force base until our house was ready. I didn't have cake pans or any baking supplies so I went to the store to grab a few items to make a no-bake cake for my little gal who was turning 4 years old. She like Strawberry Shortcake and received a Strawberry Shortcake doll for her birthday so I went with that theme for her cake. Instead of shortcake, I used a pound cake.
pound cake layers with strawberries and whipped cream
Homemade pound cake is buttery and delicious, but so is store-bought pound cake! I found two frozen pound cakes in the frozen dessert section, sliced them up, and added strawberries and whipped cream. This was such an easy cake to put together and was so pretty.

Strawberry Pound Cake Ingredients

  • 2 frozen Sara Lee pound cakes (16 ounces each)
  • 2 containers of Cool Whip (16 ounces each)
  • 2 pounds fresh strawberries, slicedpound cake iced with whipped cream with candles and strawberries

How to Make a Layered Strawberry Pound Cake

package of frozen pound cake

  1. Let frozen cakes thaw in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Slice both of the cakes in half, creating 4 thin rectangles to stack on top of eachother.
  2. Wash and dice the strawberries and fold into 1 tub of cool whip. Spread over one layer of cake, add the next layer, spread more Cool Whip mixture, then keep layering up to the top.
  3. Frost the cake with the other tub of Cool Whip.

Tip: spread the whipped cream smooth with a butter knife or spatula. For added details, spoon some whipped cream into a Ziploc bag cut the corner off, and pipe details around the bottom of the cake.

frosted pound cake with strawberries

Serve the cake immediately. Store leftover cake in the refrigerator or freezer.

Layered Strawberry Pound Cake

layered pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream
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5 from 1 vote

Layered Strawberry Pound Cake (No Bake)

This layered strawberry pound cake is a delicious and decadent dessert. It comes together in minutes with pre-made butter pound cake, strawberries, and whipped cream!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 540kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Ingredients

  • 2 16 oz. frozen Sara Lee pound cakes
  • 2 16 oz. tubs Cool Whip
  • 2 pounds fresh strawberries

Instructions

  • Let frozen cakes thaw in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Slice both of the cakes in half, creating 4 thin rectangles to stack on top of eachother.
  • Wash and dice the strawberries and fold into 1 tub of cool whip. Spread over one layer of cake, add the next layer, spread more Cool Whip mixture, then keep layering up to the top.
  • Frost the cake with the other tub of Cool Whip.
    Tip: spread the whipped cream smooth with a butter knife or spatula. For added details, spoon some whipped cream into a Ziploc bag cut the corner off, and pipe details around the bottom of the cake.

Notes

**Cool Whip makes a great frosting/icing, but it needs to stay cold. If you pipe it on and notice that the warmth of your hand is making it run a bit, just put your icing bag in the freezer for a few minutes, along with the cake, and continue in short intervals like that.

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal

Homemade Powdered Sugar Donuts

By 1 Comment

Powdered sugar donuts are easy to make, soft, delicious, and fun to eat! This recipe makes 12 regular-sized baked donuts. 

You might also like our biscuit dough fried donuts (they are amazing!), our apple cider donuts or our baked pumpkin donuts.

powdered sugar donuts

Watch our step by step video!

I love donuts, you love donuts---I know that's why you're here so let's get right to it. Have you made yeast (raised) donuts before? They are amazing, but they take a bit of time and effort. Baked donuts don't. You can easily bake up a dozen donuts in under 30 minutes!

Homemade Powdered Sugar Donuts

Baked donuts are made with basic ingredients and are baked in a donut pan. My favorites are coconut crunch, powdered sugar, and chocolate glaze. Powdered donuts are the easiest to make and that's what we're making today!

container of powdered donuts

Powdered donuts ingredients

Flour: all-purpose flour is a great option for homemade donuts.

Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Salt: for leavening and flavor.

Ground Nutmeg: don't omit this if you want the classic flavor of powdered sugar donuts. So yummy.

Sugar: white granulated sugar for sweetness in the donut batter.

Eggs: eggs add richness and structure to the donuts.

Milk: whatever kind you like, I use reduced-fat milk.

Melted Butter: you can use oil or a combination of oil and butter, but I like using butter for the best flavor.

Vanilla Extract: have you tried making your own vanilla extra? It's easy to make and tastes amazing in baked goods.

powdered donuts on cutting board

Frequently Asked Questions

What pan should I use for baked donuts?

I've had this set of donut pans for a few years and love them. You can bake a dozen donuts at a time and they bake up evenly every time.

How do I store powdered donuts?

Because of the moisture in the donuts, the powdered sugar will eventually soak into the donuts. You can toss them again in powdered sugar on day 2, but these are best eaten the day they are made. Store donuts in an airtight container with paper towels between each layer to keep them fresh.

How many donuts does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 12 regular-sized donuts. You can use this recipe to make mini donuts as well, reducing the bake time to 7-10 minutes.

 

3 powdered sugar donuts stacked

How To Make Powdered Donuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Set aside.

Combine sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter in a separate bowl. Mix thoroughly.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just mixed----do not over-mix the batter.

Lightly spray donut pans with nonstick cooking spray.

Fill a gallon-sized plastic bag with donut batter. Cut a hole in one corner and gently squeeze the batter into each donut cavity.

Bake donuts for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let donuts cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes then transfer the donuts to a cooling rack.

powdered donut in a bag of powdered sugar

Pour powdered sugar into another gallon-sized plastic bag. Add a warm donut then shake to cover the donut completely with powdered sugar. Place the sugar-covered donut back onto the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining donuts.

powdered sugar donuts stacked in a pile

Powdered Sugar Donuts Recipe

powdered sugar donuts stacked in a pile
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Homemade Powdered Sugar Donuts

Powdered sugar donuts are easy to make, soft, delicious, and fun to eat! This recipe makes 12 regular-sized baked donuts. 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 12 donuts
Calories 190kcal
Author Brandy Nelson

Ingredients

Donut Batter

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅔ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup melted butter

Topping

  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Combine sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter in a separate bowl. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just mixed----do not over-mix the batter.
  • Lightly spray donut pans with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Fill a gallon-sized plastic bag with donut batter. Cut a hole in one corner and gently squeeze the batter into each donut cavity.
  • Bake donuts for 11-13 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Let donuts cool in the pan for 5-7 minutes then transfer the donuts to a cooling rack.
  • Pour powdered sugar into another gallon-sized plastic bag. Add a warm donut then shake to cover the donut completely with powdered sugar. Place the sugar-covered donut back onto the cooling rack. Repeat with remaining donuts.
    Allow donuts to cool completely.
    Note: If there are any areas that look bare (the powdered sugar may soak into the donuts due to moisture) you can sprinkle them with a little more powdered sugar.

Video

Notes

Because of the moisture in the donuts, the powdered sugar will eventually soak into the donuts. You can toss them again in powdered sugar on day 2 or sprinkle with more powdered sugar.
These are best eaten the day they are made. Store donuts in an airtight container with paper towels between each layer to keep them fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal

19 Ice Cream Recipes To Make

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19 ice cream recipes and treats to make! From no-churn recipes to ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cake to ice cream pie you're sure to find a few recipes to make this summer!

You might like these no bake dessert recipes, this collection of famous chocolate chip cookie recipes or this collection of lemon desserts!

ice cream recipes

19 Ice Cream Recipes

Nothing is more refreshing in the summer months than a scoop of ice cream. Even better is making your own flavor combinations of homemade ice cream. Don't own an ice cream maker? No problem! Only a few of my homemade ice cream recipes require an ice cream maker---the rest are either no-churn recipes or treats made with store-bought ice cream. Without further adieu, here are 19 delicious ice cream treats to make during the summer.

glass loaf pan full of bubble gum ice cream

1. Bubble Gum Ice Cream

This bubble gum ice cream recipe is super simple! Whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, bubble gum flavoring (optional), and bubble gum pieces! A sweet treat just like the one served at our favorite little ice cream shop in town.

two scoops of lime ice cream in sugar cone

2. Lime Ice Cream

Homemade lime ice cream is the perfect blend of sweet and tangy. If you like key lime pie, you’ll love this recipe. Don’t skimp on the graham cracker topping—it’s perfection!

ice cream cone with two scoops of buckeye ice cream

3. Buckeye Ice Cream

Buckeyes and peanut butter combine with a delicious creamy base to create this delicious buckeye peanut butter no churn ice cream. No ice cream maker is necessary!

no churn Cookie Monster ice cream in loaf pan

4. Cookie Monster Ice Cream

If you like cookies and cream ice cream you’ll love our no churn Cookie Monster ice cream! It’s creamy, blue, and loaded with Oreos and Chips Ahoy cookies!

loaf pan with peach ice cream scooped from it

5. Peach Cobbler Ice Cream

Peach cobbler ice cream is MADE for summer. Ripe peaches, cinnamon, and a buttery graham cracker topping. So delicious and easy to make! Ice cream machine AND no churn recipes (both eggless).

loaf pan with scoops of strawberry ice cream

6. Easy Strawberry Ice Cream

Homemade strawberry ice cream using simple ingredients and sun-ripened strawberries for a fresh strawberry flavor. So delicious, so creamy and so good!

loaf pan with ice cream and scoops of coconut ice cream

7. Chocolate Toasted Coconut Ice Cream

Chocolate covered toasted coconut combines with a creamy coconut ice cream. Inspired by Perry’s toasted coconut ice cream in Upstate New York.

scoop of black cherry ice cream

8. Black Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, and a creamy vanilla ice cream base. Our black cherry chip ice cream is a family favorite!

bowl of peppermint ice cream

9. No Churn Peppermint Ice Cream

This no-churn peppermint ice cream is the perfect holiday dessert. Minty, creamy, and best of all no ice cream maker needed! It’s such a seasonal flavor, but if you make it at home you can have it all year long!

glass loaf pan with no churcn cake batter ice cream

10. No Churn Cake Batter Ice Cream

Cake batter ice cream is absolutely delicious and this no churn variety comes together in just minutes. Loaded with sprinkles it is the perfect ice cream for any celebration!

loaf pan full of rocky road ice cream

11. Easy Rocky Road Ice Cream

An ice cream parlor-worthy rocky road ice cream recipe that you can make at home! Creamy, loaded with marshmallows and pecans, it’s the real deal!

unwrapped mini grasshopper ice cream pies

12. Mini Grasshopper Pies

Mini grasshopper ice cream pies with Oreos, mint ice cream, and whipped cream are the perfect size and are deliciously refreshing!

sliced ice cream sandwich cake

13. Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

This ice cream sandwich cake is SO easy to make! Ice cream sandwiches are stacked, then frosted in whipped topping, and drizzled with hot fudge.

it's it ice cream sandwiches on baking sheet

14. Copycat It's It Ice Cream Bars

This copycat It’s It ice cream sandwich recipe is a family favorite! And the best part? The cookies are made from scratch, making them even better than the original!

loaf pan with ice cream sandwiches stacked inside

15. Easy M&M Ice Cream Sandwiches

Make your own M&M ice cream sandwiches for summer! Two bakery-style M&M cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched in between. A delicious cold treat for movie nights or birthday parties.

4 ice cream sandwiches stacked

16. Pizzelles Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pizzelle ice cream sandwiches are the perfect summer treat. Crispy, sweet, and easy to customize. Set up an ice cream bar and let guests make their own!

slice of peppermint ice cream pie

17. Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

This peppermint ice cream pie couldn’t be any easier to make! A pre-made chocolate crust filled with sweet peppermint ice cream and crushed candy canes!

grinch ice cream sundae in Santa cup

18. Grinch Ice Cream Sundaes

These Grinch and Santa hat ice cream sundaes are so fun for the holidays! 2 scoops of mint or vanilla ice cream, a red cone hat, and whipped cream!

pink ice cream cones with scoops of pink ice cream and pig faces

19. Piggy Ice Cream Cones

These pink pig ice cream cones are SO easy to make and are a total hit with kids!

15 Easy No Bake Desserts To Make

By Leave a Comment

15 easy no bake desserts to make during the summer or any time of year! From icebox cakes to trifles, these desserts are easy to make and absolutely delicious.

You might also like our collection of homemade ice cream recipes, my favorite lemon desserts, or famous chocolate chip cookie recipes!

easy no bake desserts

15 Easy No Bake Desserts to Make

Click on the title of each recipe to go to the post with more details and the full recipe.

ice box cake topped with strawberries

1. Strawberry IceBox Cake

Icebox cakes have been around for decades. Everyone loves them! This strawberry icebox cake is made from whipped cream, graham crackers, and sliced strawberries. It couldn’t be easier!

layered eclair dessert in dish and cut into portions

2. Easy Eclair Dessert

Layers of graham crackers, pudding, and chocolate combine for this delicious no-bake chocolate eclair dessert! Always a hit and the perfect summer dessert!

brownie trifle layers in bowl

3. Brownie Trifle

Brownies, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream are layered to create this chocolate brownie trifle. It sounds fancy, but is SUPER easy to make. For a no bake version use pre-baked brownie bites! Layer the bottom with brownie bites, add the whipped cream and pudding mixtures, and continue layering brownie bites and cream.

finished berry trifle ready to serve

4. Angel Food Berry Trifle

This angel food berry trifle is as delicious as it is beautiful. The perfect summer dessert with its layers of fresh berries, light cake, and cream! Use a store-bought angel food cake for a no-bake dessert. This one of the most popular easy no bake desserts on the website and for good reason!

trifle layered in glass bowl

5. Banana Pudding Trifle

Nilla wafers, banana pudding, fresh bananas, and whipped cream are layered to create a banana cream trifle. It sounds fancy, but is SUPER easy to make.

unwrapped mini grasshopper ice cream pies

6. Mini Grasshopper Pies

Mini grasshopper ice cream pies with Oreos, mint ice cream, and whipped cream are the perfect size and are deliciously refreshing!

frozen bananas covered in nuts, sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles

7. Chocolate Frozen Bananas

Chocolate frozen bananas are a classic fair treat that can easily be made at home! So perfect for summer and so delicious. These are a blast from the past from my childhood---one of my favorite treats that my parents would make!

lemonade pie with fresh lemons near the pie

8. Lemonade Pie

Sweet, tangy, and creamy. Lemonade pie is so EASY to make and perfect for summer! Make your own graham cracker crust or grab one from the store (for an easy no bake dessert)!

ice cream sandwich cake on plate

9. Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

This ice cream sandwich cake is SO easy to make! Ice cream sandwiches are stacked, then frosted in whipped topping, and drizzled with hot fudge.

strawberry pie close up shot with strawberries as a garnish

10. Fresh Strawberry Pie

This fresh strawberry pie is so easy to make and is absolutely delicious! Make your own pie crust or use a pre-made graham cracker crust (for a no-bake version). It’s up to you!

peanut butter truffles on serving platter

11. Peanut Butter Truffles

These white chocolate peanut butter truffles look (and taste) like they would be complicated to make, but they come together in minutes! Filled with a delicious peanut butter filling, they are perfect for any occasion.

two mini cream pies in plastic cups

12. Mini Cream Pies

A mini cream pie in a cup that comes together in just minutes! A layer of graham crackers, a layer of Greek yogurt, and whipped cream! Perfect for parties.

layered strawberry pound cake on cake board

13. Layered Pound Cake

Pre-made pound cake, strawberries, and whipped cream. This elegant layered pound cake couldn't be easier to make and is absolutely delicious.

14. Mini Key Lime Pies

When it comes to making pie, it doesn’t get any more effortless than these mini key lime pies. Seasonal berries, lime yogurt, and whipped cream layered in mini graham cracker pie crusts!

avalanche cookies on parchment paper

15. Avalanche Cookies

I have a lot of no-bake cookies and treats on my site, but these avalanche cookies are one of my favorites! White chocolate, peanut butter, Rice Krispies cereal, and mini marshmallows. Combine them all together to create avalanche cookies! Melt in your mouth, no-bake cookies that are rich and delicious!

slice of ice cream cake on spatula

16. Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

The easiest dessert to make with 3 ingredients! Oreo ice cream sandwich cake is easy to customize and made with ice cream sandwiches!