Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Some flavor combinations just cannot be beat. One of those combinations for me is Cookies & Cream. I can remember growing up that was always the milkshake flavor I would choose if we happen to have the treat of getting a milkshake. I also have memories of my dad crushing up a package of Oreos, and mixing them into softened vanilla ice cream. It was a special treat.

The funny part for me though, is that I don't like to eat Oreos plain. They are something that I only buy on special occasion, when used in a Cookies and Cream combination, for a special recipe. Like this ice cream, which I made last summer and we absolutely loved.

When it comes to Cookies and Cream- the more chunks of cookie the better. And the bigger the cookie chunks the better.
And you can't use fake brand cookies. It has to be Oreos.

So these cupcakes are perfect. They have the perfect amount of cookie chunks. They have the perfect white cake base. The frosting is perfect. It tastes just like the cream that is in the middle of an Oreo. The frosting and cupcake are the perfect match.
I made these to celebrate the end of my son's basketball season and we served them at the team dinner, after the last game. To make them even more festive and to incorporate more Oreos, I made basketball toppers out of candy coated Oreos. They turned out perfectly. The kids and parents were equally excited about consuming these delicious cupcakes.

Oh, and by the way, my blog is 3 years old today. YAY!

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
Yield: 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
24 Oreo halves, with cream filling attached
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ 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 (cut into quarters)

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

For garnish:
Oreo cookie crumbs
24 Oreo cookie halves

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. 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. Sprinkle with Oreo crumbs and garnish with Oreo halves.

Source: slightly adapted from Annie's Eats, who adapted from Beantown Baker