Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Oreos, one of life's simple pleasures. Oreos can give any dessert an instant upgrade. I love love love them. One of my all times favorite desserts is Cookies and Cream Ice Cream (with Cold Stone's Sweet Cream of course). That crisp, chocolate cookie with rich, sweet cream combination is a match made in Heaven. When I saw these cupcakes over at Beantown Baker I knew I had to try them. That ice cream deliciousness in cupcake form. Yes! "Please! Please! Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. I need, I need, I need!"(What About Bob, one of my favorite movie's and quotes =).
I made a few small changes to the recipe, I didn't think 1 stick of butter was quite enough moisture for 24 cupcakes so I added in 1/3 cup sour cream and reduced the amount of milk slightly, then increased the baking powder just a tad. Other minor changes I made were, I didn't use room temperature egg whites and I didn't add the 2 tbsp flour to the chopped Oreos because I cut mine into small pieces so they wouldn't really sink anyway. I also thought these cupcakes needed a ton of frosting so I used my own concoction and made a big batch. It's not often I want a heaping pile of frosting on my cupcakes but in my opinion these definitely require it. It is the "cream" of the cookies and cream. Thanks Beantown Baker for a great post! Enjoy and savor every last bite of these delicious cupcakes!

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
Yields 2 dozen 


Ingredients:
24 Oreos
16 Oreos, chopped into small pieces (almost bits or pebble size)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 large egg whites
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
12 Oreos, chopped into halves, for garnish (optional)
1 recipe Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two muffin tins with 24 paper muffin cups. Using a sharp knife, split 24 Oreos into halves leaving cream filling attached to one side (save filling free cookie sides to crush and sprinkle over frosted cupcakes). Place 1 Oreo half, with cream filling side up, at the bottom of each muffin cup, set aside.
In mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a separate large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, whip together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 - 4 minutes. Add in egg whites, one at a time, mixing until combine after each addition. Measure 3/4 cup milk into a liquid measuring cup, then add sour cream and vanilla to milk and whisk to combine. 
Working in two separate batches, add flour mixture followed by milk mixture to butter mixture, and mix just until combine after each addition. Fold in 16 chopped Oreos. Evenly divide batter among prepared muffins cups (pouring it over the tops of the Oreo halves), filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven about 23 - 26 minutes until toothpick inserted into center of cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. 
Once cupcakes have cooled completely, frost with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting. Finely crush about half of the cream filling free cookie sides and sprinkles over cupcakes then garnish cupcakes with optional cookie halves (you could even use the remaining 12 cookie halves). Store cupcakes in an airtight container.


Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting


Ingredients:
10 Tbsp butter, firm but not cold
10 oz. cream cheese, cold
2 1 /2 Tbsp sour cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups powdered sugar


Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer on medium speed, whip together butter and cream cheese until fluffy about 1 minute. Stir in sour cream and vanilla. Add in powdered sugar and mix until smooth, light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. 


Recipe Source: cupcake adapted from Beantown Baker, frosting Cooking Classy

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Cookies and Cream Chex Mix

Don't worry people, yes Cookies and Cream Chex Mix was a limited edition (Dear General Mills, why would you make the best Chex Mix you've ever created a limited edition?) but the good news, I've figured out how to make them at home! And it's so easy and think they are even better (everything fresh home-made is better isn't it?). Also, I never thought I'd say it but these are even better than muddy buddies! I could eat the whole batch on my own. It takes 4 ingredients and they can honestly be made in under 5 minutes! I made these twice in the last two days (yeah they are that good), the second time around I did an equal ratio powdered sugar to Oreo and it was perfect. I ate these while eating cookies and cream ice cream and I think I may just like these more, that is SERIOUSLY saying something! How could one of my easiest recipes be one of my favorite =)? Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Warning: the following recipe is highly addictive, prepare at your own risk.

Cookies and Cream Chex Mix

Ingredients:

6 cups Corn Chex Cereal

1/2 cup very finely crushed Oreos (8 original Oreos)*

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 (12 oz) bag Vanilla Candy Melts, such as Wilton

Directions:

Measure 6 cups Corn Chex Cereal into a large mixing bowl, set aside. Pour crushed Oreos and powdered sugar into a large ziploc bag, seal bag and shake to combine mixture, set aside. In a microwave safe bowl, melt Vanilla candy melts in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Pour melted candy melts over Corn Chex and toss mixture with a rubber spatula until evenly coated (scrapping down the sides of the bowl as stirring, don't waste any of that melted candy). Pour or scoop coated Corn Chex into ziploc bag containing crushed Oreo mixture. Seal bag and shake until the cereal is evenly coated. Store in an airtight container up to one week (but don't kid yourself they won't be around for a week =).

*when I say very finely crushed I mean very finely crushed, as in nearly powder. It's the larger clumps that will tend not to stick the the coated cereal.

Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

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Oreo Cheesecake Bites (a no bake recipe)

I'm in love with the cheesecake bites lately, can you tell =)? Three cheesecake bite posts in a row. Hopefully that will give you an idea of just how simple and incredible these are. These are dangerously delicious! Who doesn't love an Oreo cookie? Then you add a creamy, dreamy, no bake Oreo cheesecake mixture on top that. Yeah, like I said, dangerous! If you are someone that likes an easy, basically cheater recipe then this is for you. You don't need to be a fancy cook to be able to make these delightful treats, but you can fool people into thinking you are with how amazing they taste. Be the hit of the next party when you show up with these! Enjoy!

Oreo Cheesecake Bites

Yields about 30

Ingredients:

33 Oreos, divided

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup milk

1 (3.4 oz) pkg cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix

30 mini Oreos

Directions:

In a mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, whip together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Using a wire whisk, stir in cream, milk and instant pudding. Whisk mixture for about 2 - 3 minutes until very thick. Freeze mixture for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place 3 large Oreos in a ziploc bag, seal bag and crush Oreos finely using a rolling pin (alternately you can do this in a food processor). Stir crushed Oreos into cheesecake mixture. Pipe cheesecake mixture over 30 large Oreos, then top each one with a mini Oreo. For best result serve immediately (store in refrigerator if not used immediately).

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Cookies and Cream Popcorn

What do you make when your in a crunch for time but want a wowing, incredible and highly addictive treat?  Cookies and cream popcorn mix.  I don't know if there's a  better way to celebrate Oreos 100th birthday than by making a batch of this perfect, intensely delicious popcorn.   I didn't have time for a time consuming post today, so this was the perfect thing for me to make.  I made it in under 10 minutes!  It is one of my new favorite treats!  I couldn't stop eating it and even though it was 10:00 in the morning =).  Be warned, once you start munching it is going to be hard to stop.  I'd recommend wrapping some up in treat bags, tying them with a ribbon and gifting them to friends, neighbors or coworkers.  Enjoy!

If you love this popcorn then you may also like to try Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats or Funfetti Popcorn.

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels, or 2 bags tender white popcorn

1 (12 oz) bag Vanilla Candy Melts, such as Wilton

24 Oreo cookies, chopped into pebble size pieces (about 3 cups)

Directions:

Pop popcorn kernels in popcorn popper into a very large bowl, according to manufacturers directions (or alternately in microwave if using microwave popcorn bags).  Remove any unpopped kernels.  Toss chopped Oreos into popped popcorn.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt Vanilla Candy Melts in 30 second intervals,  stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.  Drizzle half of melted candy melts over popcorn mixture.  Toss several times with a rubber spatula then drizzle remaining melted candy melts over popcorn mixture and toss mixture gently for about 30 seconds - 1 minute until evenly coated.  Pour mixture into wax paper to allow mixture to cool and candy melts to set.  Store Cookies and Cream Popcorn in an airtight container.

Recipe Source: adapted from Sing for Your Supper

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Minnie and Mickey Mouse Oreo Cookie Pops

I love the color of these for Valentines.  These are an easy, delicious treat to make for your kids for the upcoming Valentines Day.  These would also be great for Birthday parties, just double/triple the recipe as needed.  You may think that they are only a good treat for kids, I couldn't stop eating them =).  They taste like cookies and cream since almond bark is an imitation of white chocolate.  Just be sure to have a few spare Double Stuf Oreos because it's likely a few will break as you prepare them, they are pretty fragile and a few come cracked in the package unfortunately.  With that said, I would recommend checking for cracks and pick out 12 good ones to start with.

Minnie and Mickey Mouse Oreo Cookie Pops
Yields 12 pops or cookies


Ingredients:
12 Double Stuf Oreos, plus a few extra in case they break
12 mini Oreos
6 oz. vanilla almond bark (4 squares)
Pink and red sugar crystal sprinkles
Pink mini conversation hearts, for Minnie bows (thinnest you can find, I used Ferrara Pan brand)


12 8 inch sucker sticks (optional)


Directions:
For Minnie Mouses:
Using a knife, split mini oreos and remove cream center so you know have 24 mini Oreo pieces.  Pour pink sprinkles into a small bowl.  Melt almond bark in a microwave safe bowl in 20 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.  Dip the bottom tip of a conversation heart in the almond bark, scrapping off excess then insert into top center of the oreo with the "converstion" facing the backside (you may have to carefully open the oreo a bit to get it to fit inside), then take 2 of the mini oreos and dip the bottom tip in the melted almond bark then insert each one next to the conversation heart.  Dip bottom half of the Double Stuf Oreo into the melted almond bark, allow excess to drip off then scrape excess from the back and bottom edge.  Dip almond bark coated cookie into pink sprinkles and coat evenly.  If making pops, dip about 1" of the sucker stick into almond bark then scrap of excess and insert stick through center of oreo before coating hardens.  Lay cookie on wax paper and allow coating to harden.  Spoon some of the melted almond bark into a small ziploc bag, snip a tiny tip off of one corner of the ziploc bag and pipe polka dots over pink sprinkles and one oval in the center of the conversation heart bow.  Allow to harden.
For Mickey Mouse:
Follow directions listed above, omitting conversation heart and using red sprinkles in place of pink.  Pipe two small buttons with melted almond bark rather than polka dots.
Note: reheat almond bark in microwave as needed for 20 seconds if it starts to harden and thicken too much.

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Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats

These are by far my favorite Rice Krispie Treat!  I love the cookies and cream combo, so why not in Rice Krispie Treats?  These turn plan boring Rice Krispie Treats into fancy luxury =).  They are addictive.  I can never stop at one.  If you like oreos or cookies and cream ice cream you will be ecstatic about these!  You may also like to try Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats.

Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats

Yields 18 squares

Ingredients:

1/4 cup salted butter

1 (10.5) oz bag mini marshmallows (note: if you have another bag on hand I would recommend adding an extra cup of marshmallows)

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

10 oreos, chopped into bits (about the size of pebbles, there will be powder too), about 1 cup

1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips

6 oreos, chopped into bits (about the size of pebbles), about 1/2 cup

Directions:

Butter a 13 x 9 pan, set aside.  Melt butter in a large non-stick saucepan over medium low heat, swirling butter up along edges of the pan (this helps the marshmallows stick much less).  Stir in marshmallows and stir constantly until melted.  Remove from heat and gently stir in Rice Krispies cereal, stir until evenly coated.  Fold in 10 chopped oreos.  Pour mixture into buttered dish.  Using a buttered spatula or greased hands gently press mixture evenly into dish, set aside.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips on 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.  Spread melted chocolate evenly over Rice Krispie Treats and immediately (before chocolate hardens) sprinkle with 6 chopped oreos.  Cover and refrigerate about 10 minutes, or alternately let rest on counter until chocolate hardens (it just takes longer).  Cut into 18 squares.

Recipe adapted slightly from Cast Sugar.

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Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies

Whoever came up with the cookies and cream combination is genius!  It is an exquisite pairing that can be used in countless recipes.  I love how perfectly they compliment each other.  Come to think of it, what doesn't cream compliment (everything's better with a bit of cream =)?  This cookie is addictive and is sure to curb that sugary chocolaty craving.  If you are a real oreo lover, feel free to add a cup of chopped oreos into the dough for extra chocolaty goodness.  These cookies remind me of homemade oreo cookies, but they are an upgrade of course =).  Enjoy everyone!  
PS you may also like to try Cookies and Cream Rice Krispie Treats.
  

Chocolate Cookies and Cream Cookies
Yields about 3 dozen


Ingredients:

1 (18.3 oz) pkg brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp milk

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 recipe vanilla cream frosting, recipe follows

12 Oreos, finely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a cookie sheet and set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together brownie mix, flour, brown sugar and salt.  Add in eggs and milk and stir with a large spoon.  Add in melted butter and vanilla and stir until well blended.  Spoon dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet (you can fit 12 per sheet).  Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.  Once cool, frost each cookie and sprinkle with chopped Oreos.

Vanilla Cream Frosting

Ingredients:

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

6 Tbsp heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, whip together sugar, butter and cream until fluffy.  Stir in vanilla and salt, blend well.

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