Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you are all having a great weekend. I have a sweet treat to share with you all...

 

Sometimes, when I'm trying to watch what I eat and I still want to eat something sinful, I decide to bake something sinful to give away. One would think that this would only make me want the aforementioned baked good even more, but simply baking it sometimes satisfies my craving. Other times, it only makes my craving worse- haha! I decided to make Cookies and Cream Cupcakes for my co-workers at the restaurant this week and I didn't eat a single one! However, I've made these in the past and they're pretty awesome. There's something pretty incredible about an Oreo cookie baked into the bottom of a chocolate cupcake. It softens to perfection and tastes oh-so-amazing. And don't even get me started with homemade buttercream made with Oreos! My coworkers devoured these and they were all excited when they saw the cookie at the bottom.

 

 

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Makes 24 cupcakes

 

Ingredients:

 

1 box of chocolate cake mix, mixed as directed on the box (I used Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake)

24 Oreos, plus 6-8 more for the frosting

1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature

3 3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla (homemade vanilla extract would be perfect for this, just sayin'...)
2-3 tablespoons milk

Directions:

 

Preheat the oven to 350* F and fill the muffin pans with liners.

 

Place an Oreo cookie in each of the 24 muffin tin liners.

 

Mix the cake mix as directed on the box and fill each liner about 3/4 full.

Bake the cupcakes for 16-18 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

Once the cupcakes are cooled, make the frosting. In a food processor, chop the Oreos until they are fine crumbs. Set aside.

In a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar, milk, and vanilla and beat for 1-2 minutes, or until light and fluffy.

Add the Oreo crumbs and mix with a spoon until well incorporated.

Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes or spread the frosting on with a knife.

Enjoy!