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5.0 from 6 votes

Circus Animal Cookie Cupcakes

These Circus Animal Cookie Cupcakes have vanilla cupcakes filled with a circus animal cookie infused cheesecake center, then topped with vanilla buttercream. Top it all off with a circus animal cookie for a fun, playful and delicious cupcake!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
48 mins
Servings: 36 servings
Calories: 323 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cupcakes:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups buttermilk
Filling:
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 oz cream cheese at room temperature
  • 3 oz frosted circus animal cookies crushed (about 23 cookies)
Frosting:
  • 1 cup butter
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 36 frosted circus animal cookies

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350ºF.  Line 36 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture and beat to combine.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter together on medium speed. Add in the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl and beating after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.
  4. Add 1/2 of the buttermilk and beat, followed by another 1/3 of the flour, the remaining buttermilk, then the remaining flour mixture, beating just until combined.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the 36 cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  7. To make the filling: Combine the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until stiff peaks form. Add the cream cheese and continue to beat until completely combined.  Stir in the crushed cookies.
  8. To make the buttercream: Beat the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a medium bowl with a hand mixer until light. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating completely between additions. Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, mix in a pinch of salt. Add in the cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.  If desired, add 1-2 drops of red food coloring to color the buttercream pink.
  9. To assemble:  Use a sharp knife to cut a cone out of the center of each cupcake, reserving the cut piece. Fill the center with 1 teaspoon of the filling, the replace the cut out piece back to the cupcake. Repeat with the remaining cupcakes.
  10. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. Top with a frosted circus animal cookie and sprinkles if desired.

Notes

  • Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.
  • Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cupcake Calories 323kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 59mg (20%) Sodium 1170mg (49%) Fiber 0g (0%) Sugar 31g (62%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 36servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 323

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cupcake
Calories 323kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 59mg 20%
Sodium 1170mg 49%
Fiber 0g 0%
Sugar 31g 62%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.