oreo dream cupcakes!

I could be in the middle of Grand Central Station and the muttering of one word could stop everything around me....

"oreo."


I. Love. Oreos.

I mean, come on, who doesn't?! Even inanimate objects agree... After all, it is milk's favorite cookie! (;

& On that note, I present to you the two loveliest things combined into one: oreo cupcakes.

oh yes.

Ingredients:

cupcake:

you can use a cake mix, or here's the recipe i used! (makes approx. 20)

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pancake syrup (or vanilla extract!)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (i used apple cider vinegar)
• 20 oreos

icing:

yummy cream cheese cookies and cream icing!

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter 
• give or take 4 cups powdered sugar (based on desired consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or syrup again!)
• oreos!

Directions:

Cupcakes!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (or follow instructions for cake mix)
2. Mix all cupcake ingredients together until all lumps and inconsistencies are gone.
3. Line cupcake pan with liners. ** IMPORTANT! Spraying the pan with nonstick spray WILL NOT WORK. I ended up with many disheveled cupcakes because the oreo sticks to the pan! 
4. Separate the two halves of the oreo cookie and put the side with cream on the bottom of cupcake with cream facing up.
5. Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 of the way with the mix.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Icing!

1. Whip together butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar in small increments.
3. Add vanilla extract or syrup.
4. Crush remaining tops of oreos and mix in.

*Note : If you're planning on piping the icing, you will need very small pieces of oreo. If you're just spreading it on, feel free to use whatever size oreo chunks you prefer!

Crush some oreos and sprinkle on top or add half an oreo for a cute touch :)

Cake recipe adapted from

http://www.food.com/recipe/moms-chocolate-cupcakes-105594

Icing recipe adapted from

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2009/02/oreo-frosting-cream-cheese-is-key.html