I've Missed You. Have a Cupcake.

Hello.

It's been a long time.

I've missed you.

I haven't had much time for cooking lately, and when I have, they just haven't turned out the way I wanted.  But today I had a free day, and I was inspired to create these Cookies 'n' Cream Cupcakes.

I was looking for a great chocolate cupcake recipe.  I've been looking for a while, but every cupcake I've tried is just not quite there.  This morning, I was looking around, and I found that a number of different blogs cited this recipe from Chockylit as the very best chocolate cupcake recipe.  I had to try it.

But, since I don't like coconut, I decided to use an Oreo-cream-cheese frosting instead.  OH MAN it is good.  Let's try it, shall we?


For cupcakes:
3/4 c. (1-1/2 sticks) butter
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. cocoa powdered
2 tbsp. instant espresso powder
1-1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

1. Beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 30 seconds after each addition.
3. Measure the flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and espresso powder into a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine.
4. Measure the milk and vanilla into a measuring thing.
5. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar and beat to combine. Add about a half of the milk/vanilla and beat to combine. Continue adding, alternating between dry and wet and finishing with the dry.
6. Scoop batter into cupcake cups about 3/4′s full. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

For frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese
4 oz. butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 and 1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 Oreo (or similar) cookies, crushed

Beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together.  Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.  Just toss the crushed Oreos in right at the end.

Let's see those cucapes again, huh?

 

 Yum.  Yum yum.  Are you thinking, I wish she'd show another picture of those cupcakes but with more dramatic lighting?  Well, here you go.

Are you thinking, Now, how about one with a kitten in it?

Sweet.

Happy caking!