Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

The cookies and cream cupcake is what I wanted to tackle next! The reason why? Because I love Oreo cookies!! So I went in search for the best recipe and I won't lie to you, I was also searching for a somewhat simple recipe! I am not new to baking or cooking, but doing things from scratch is sort of new! Who doesn't love Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker? They just know how to make it good!

Anyway I found this recipe in another blog called "Annie's Eats"! She has really great stuff on her blog! I am sure I will try a few more recipes from her site! Number one reason I chose this recipe is because of the picture on her blog that showed one of the finished cupcakes cut in half which then showed that inside the cupcakes are real oreo cookie peices and also an oreo cookie half on the bottom of the cake! Much like the picture I took of my finished product:


Here's the recipe:

For the cupcakes:
24 Oreo halves, with cream filling attached
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 2/3 cup sugar
3 large egg whites, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup milk
20 Oreo cookies, coarsely chopped

For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tbsp. heavy cream

For garnish:
24 Oreo cookie halves

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line the wells of two cupcake pans with 24 paper liners.
Place an Oreo halve in the bottom of each liner, cream side up.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir together with a fork to blend and set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Blend in the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Blend in the vanilla extract.
With the mixer on low speed, beat in half of the dry ingredients just until incorporated.
Add the milk and beat just until combined, then mix in the remaining dry ingredients.
Gently fold in the chopped Oreos with a rubber spatula until evenly incorporated, being careful not to over-mix.

Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
Blend in the vanilla extract. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar until incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes.
Add the heavy cream to the bowl and beat on medium-low speed just until incorporated, then increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 4 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Frost the cooled cupcakes as desired. Garnish with Oreo halves.


So I have a couple side notes on this recipe! First off I feel I should tell you that since I do not buy eggs a lot (because I prefer Egg Beaters) I did not have egg whites nor did I want to go buy a carton of eggs just for a few egg whites! So if you have the same sort of problem the solution is easy! They now sell little cartons of "Just Whites"! PERFECT!!! Also, just so you know, when my recipes call for eggs I always use "Egg Beaters" and I have actually found that it makes the cake more moist!!

Also, I bought one bag/box of Oreo's, if you only buy one please note that you will need ALL of those Oreo's! This worked for me because then I could not nibble or have leftovers to eat later, but if you want extra, then by all means buy two!

If you don't want to buy an entire carton of heavy whipping cream (for the frosting) then the easiest solution is to go to your local Starbucks and ask for a short cup of heavy whipping cream! This is 8 oz. which is more than you need, but it is a lot less wasteful than an entire carton going bad in your fridge! The barista's may look at you weird, but if you explain yourself they will understand! It will only cost you about $1.50!! Plus Starbucks has a "Just say yes!" policy! Can I have a short cup of heavy whipping cream? Why yes, you can!!

Finally, this cream cheese frosting is the best you will ever taste! Don't expect to buy from a jar after you have made this simple and delicious frosting!! I can't wait to make some Red Velvet just for this frosting!!

Enjoy!