11 Perfect Chocolate Chip Cake and Cupcake Recipes

Mike Krautter

Chocolate chips are a childhood favorite, and is it any wonder why? They make everything better: Decadent cakes, bite-size cupcakes, and soft, chewy cookies.

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Mike Krautter

Nearly any baker (novice, expert, or otherwise) will have chocolate chips stockpiled in their pantry—and for good reason. All bakers know that chocolate chips instantly transform any treat you're making, and while many would argue that chocolate chips are best in cookies, there are so many recipes that are made better with their help, like the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins shown here. You can create so many delicious desserts using a bag of chocolate chips. Whether you prefer a plain, sweet profile or a dessert that's a little richer, adding a cup—or two!—of morsels can transform a regular dessert into a decadent option the entire family will enjoy.

As many bakers will tell you, making a batch of chocolate chip cookies is different for everyone. Many have opinions on which ingredients make a dough special (and what doesn't), but nearly everyone agrees about the importance of the chocolate chips. The same is true for a classic cupcake interpretation of the delicious chocolate chip cookie: You'll need an entire 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips for our cupcake batter. More chocolate chips take these cupcakes over the top; they're pressed onto the top of each little cake before they are baked, an expert finishing touch.

Of course, cupcakes aren't the only sweet treat that benefits from a generous sprinkle of chocolate morsels. You'll find our chocolate chip cake recipes are most delightful, and that's also true of the pies in this collection. These sweet recipes are delicious proof that chocolate chips are a versatile tool in any baker's arsenal, and shine beyond a classic cookie.

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Chocolate-Chip Streusel Brownies

Linda Pugliese

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When you can't decide between a cookie or a brownie, make a combo! Here, cookie dough is dotted over brownie batter and baked until the edges are cakey and the interior is fudgy.

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Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Chocolate Chip Frosting

Con Poulos

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Double the chips, double the deliciousness? These cupcakes are baked with chocolate chips and then generously covered with a chocolate chip-buttercream frosting.

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Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

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A hit with both kids and adults, this "cake" is actually five enormous semisweet chocolate chip cookies slathered in cream cheese frosting.

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Test Kitchen's Favorite Banana-Chocolate Chip Bread

Marcus Nilsson

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Freezing and thawing over-ripe bananas before mashing creates a syrupy-thick juice, more like liquid gold, that bursts with sweet banana flavor and makes this loaf next-level delicious.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Icebox Cake

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It's all about the wow factor: Eight dozen chocolate chip cookies are carefully stacked with a deliciously creamy mascarpone cheese filling.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes

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Cookies or cupcakes? With this recipe you get the best of both. Vanilla cupcakes hold a surprise: a chocolate-chip-cookie-like center. The mini chocolate-chip cookie decorations seal the deal.

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Mocha Chip Angel Food Cake

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What would make angel food more heavenly? Why, mini semisweet chocolate chips, of course! Oh, and a drizzle of mocha ganache, too!

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Chocolate Chip Ship

Kirsten Strecker

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Chips ahoy! In this whimsical cake-decorating idea, chocolate loaf cake is cut and stacked with layers of chocolate-chip ice cream. Then the fun parts: Chocolate chips decorate the port and starboard, a peanut butter cup is the crow's nest, and dollops of whipped cream sprinkled with blue sanding sugar become the frothy waves.

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Chocolate Chip Pound Cake with Chocolate-Coffee Liqueur Sauce

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Take pound cake to a new level of indulgence by adding chocolate chips (semisweet or bittersweet, depending on your preference) to the batter, and drizzling it with a chocolate-coffee liqueur sauce.

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Dirty Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

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Fresh mint leaves give this dirty mint ice cream a fresh, cool intensity. Why is it "dirty"? Because we use brown sugar in the base, which gives the ice cream a deep caramel punch and a natural light brown color. It is also "dirty" because we don't strain out the mint. Leaving it in deepens the flavor the longer the ice cream is in the freezer. Chocolate chips take it over the top.

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11 Perfect Chocolate Chip Cake and Cupcake Recipes

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