Oreo Cupcakes

I've decided Oreos are crack. How can something that tastes so good, be so very bad for you? Don't put them in reach because I can't help myself. There is just something about two chocolate wafers with vanilla cream inside, double vanilla cream is better. Nom Nom Nom! 

So, on the rare occasion or on a special event that I allow Oreos in the house, what could be better than a Oreo Cupcake? 

... are those crickets I hear? Thought so.

There are a lot of different combinations that Oreos lend to yummy cupcakes. So one must decide: chocolate base or vanilla? Crushed Oreos inside, in the frosting, and/or in some kind of filling? A full or half Oreo baked on the bottom or none? Vanilla, chocolate, or Oreo buttercream? Or cream cheese frosting? Yes please. The choices are endless and they all exist online. By far my favorite recipe I adapt comes from Beantown Baker (3rd recipe) and is the basis for these Oreo Cupcakes.

Oreo Cupcakes

adapted from Beantown Baker

preheat oven 350 degrees

1 pkg Oreo Cookies (~45 cookies)

12.75 oz of all purpose flour, plus 2 tbsp for the Oreo chunks

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 2/3 cup caster sugar

2 tsp vanilla bean paste

3 large egg whites, at room temperature

1 cup milk

1. Twist apart 24 Oreos. Place the wafer with filling on it, filling side up, in the bottom of each paper liner. Quarter the remaining Oreos. Place in bowl and mix in 2 tbsp of flour. Crush the other wafer halves, also for garnishing.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg whites and beat until incorporated.
5. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture alternating with milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture just until mixed.
6. Add quartered Oreos.

Makes 24 cupcakes. Fill liners 3/4 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool completely.

Optional. Fill cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Ganache.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pk cream cheese

1 stick of butter

2 tsp vanilla bean paste

3-4 cups powdered sugar

dash of salt or to taste

1. Cream together cheese and butter until light and fluffy
2. Add vanilla and 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time until desired consistency, adding more powdered sugar if necessary

Pipe onto cupcakes keeping in mind that this frosting does spread. Add crushed Oreo halves and top with mini Oreo if desired.

Oreo Cupcakes are great for any occasion. These were served at a family friendly BBQ and were enjoyed by all! I added ganache to half of these because I had some left over from a previous cupcake. It was in a non-microwave bowl so I just put the bowl in the oven after it was turned off from making cupcakes. It came back to life with a quick stir. The ganache added an extra little something, but its not a show stopper to leave it out.