12 Days of Christmas Cookies – Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Okay, I know I promised to have the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies finished by now, but I was hoping I would get around to making these before I ran out of time.  Of course, I did run out of time and haven’t made them yet, but I wanted to share the recipe with a few days (um hours now) left.  These are a standard holiday recipe in my family.  My grandmother made them for as long as I can remember, and a few years ago, when baking became too much of a hassle for her, she taught me to make them.  I am now the official chocolate chip cupcake baker in the family.

Although these are cupcake-shaped, they do not have a classic cupcake texture.  They are more like chocolate chip cookie bars, baked in the shape of the cupcakes.  It’s also kind of a weird baking process, but follow the directions exactly and you’ll end up with amazing cupcakes.  Don’t be alarmed if your cupcakes sink, because that’s how they are supposed to look.  The little bowl that is created in the middle is the perfect place for a scoop of ice cream!

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes – makes 12

1/2 cup butter, softened
6 tablespoons brown sugar
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon salt
6-ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat 375°.  Line a standard 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.  Grease liners!

Cream together butter and both sugars.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Stir together flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl, and then stir into butter mixture.  Spoon batter evenly into prepared pan and bake for 10-12 minutes or until cupcakes are puffed and golden.  (They will not be done finished cooking, so don’t increase the cooking time).

Stir the filling ingredients together in a bowl.  Top partially baked cupcakes evenly with the filling.  The filling will sink down towards the bottom.  Return cupcakes to oven and bake for 14-16 minutes.  These are amazing served warm.