Cookie's N Cream Cupcakes

Wow...it's been a while since I posted and for that I apologize. I've been pretty busy with customer orders for invitations AND cupcakes (YAY!!), work and just enjoying life!! We've seen some pretty nice weather here in Ohio (although, I'd be interested in looking up how much rain we have had in the last few weeks and see if it broken records) so we've been trying to enjoy it while it's here. Bella has really taken a liking to going on walks after dinner.

Speaking of Bella....she has also taken quite the liking to helping me in the kitchen. I always plop her up on the counter while I'm cooking or baking and she always wants to help. I hope that these are memories that stick with her forever, but in the meantime I'm enjoying her wanting to share this time with me in the kitchen.

I have an order coming up that I am doing for a Military Women Appreciation Banquet. I met this lady through a local swap group on Facebook and I have become quite fond of her. She has the cutest little 7 month old son, three adorable dogs and has a big heart. I first met her when I bought some supplies off of her to create a diaper-cycle for my boss and his wife's baby shower here at work and since then I just adore her. Anyway, she is a career counselor for the Army and she came up with this idea to throw the women in her squad and wives of the men in her squad an appreciation banquet. She wasn't sure how it would go but its coming up this Saturday and I already know its going to be a WONDERFUL event. She's had so many companies and individuals donate items to thank these ladies for their sacrifices and has been so overwhelmed with the generosity. Anyway, she asked if I would donate a diaper-cycle for a raffle since a few of them women who will be attending are expecting babies and I happily accepted. I was talking to her about what her thoughts were on the dessert for this banquet and after a few conversations, we decided on a pretty nice dessert spread that will include a few cupcake flavors and some a few different varieties of cookies. I'm grateful to be a part of this event and am so excited to hear all about it once it's over!!
I pinned a Cookies N Cream cupcake recipe a while back and it's been begging for some attention. I guess the reason I hadn't made it yet is because we don't typically have Oreo's in our house. Certainly not because I don't like them. In fact, its the polar opposite. We LOVE Oreo's. Between Shawn and I, we could polish off two bags of them with no problem or remorse. Well...until the next day when we take off the comfy pants and try to slip into a pair of fitted pants lol. So we don't keep them in the house for that reason.

Well yesterday seemed like the perfect opportunity to make these.  My mom invited us over for dinner (swiss steak and mashed potatoes!) and it was someone's birthday at work and I had been toying around with this recipe for the Military Appreciation Banquet. Since I had three reasons to buy Oreo's, I took it as a sign from a higher power. And when the higher power says buy Oreo's, we listen.

While this recipe is pretty solid, I think I will experiment with a few changes next time. I'll let you know how those turn out. In the meantime, go pick up two packs of double stuffed Oreo's and make this recipe. Why two? Well, one for the recipe, one to sit down with a gallon of milk to enjoy while they are baking. Why else would you need the extra pack? LOL.

Cookie's N Cream Cupcakes

Cake Ingredients (yields about 30 cupcakes)
3/4 C. Ghiradelli unsweetened cocoa, sifted
1 C. hot water
1 C. buttermilk
2 C. sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 C. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C. heavy cream
14 Double Stuffed Oreo's, finely crushed

1) Add cocoa powder to the mixer bowl and add in the HOT water. Whisk until the cocoa is dissolved.
2)  Slowly add in the buttermilk to cool down the mixture then add in sugar and mix until combined.
3) Add in eggs, oil and vanilla. And mix.
4) In a bowl, add all dry ingredients (not the cookies). Slowly add into the wet mixture until all ingredients are well incorporated.
5) Stir in heavy cream until evenly mixed.
6) Gently fold in the crushed Oreo's.

(do not freak out if the mix seems watery before you add the cream. It will, but the whipping cream helps to thicken it up. If you're a little worried you can add a small amount of additional flour but it is not necessary I promise)

Pour cupcakes into lined cupcake tins and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 15-19 minutes. Let cool and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

While your cupcakes are baking you can move on to the frosting.

Frosting Ingredients (will be enough to frost about 24 cupcakes generously or all 30 modestly)

1 (8 ounce) package light cream cheese, softened
2 T. Butter, softened
1/2 tsp. salt
1 envelope of Dream Whip
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 C. powdered sugar
6 Double Stuffed Oreo's- separate cream and cookie

1)  Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. 
2) Put the cream filling from the Oreo's into the bowl and continue to mix.
3) Add vanilla and salt and beat for a few minutes. 
4) Add in dream whip dry packet (not prepared) and mix well.
5) Add in sugar until desired consistency is met.
6) Lastly, crush the cookie very finely and add into the bowl and fold in until just combined.
Once the cupcakes have chilled, pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes and shove one in your mouth!!!

Enjoy!