Chocolate Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting

On the third Sunday of every month we get together as a Family for Sunday dinner at my in-laws house. Each month the three of us older sisters have a food assignment which rotates (salad, rolls, dessert). This month it was my turn to make dessert. I made these YUMMY Chocolate Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting. I knew I wanted to try this recipe for the cookies and cream frosting so I just had to find a recipe for a good homemade chocolate cupcake. I found this recipe on http://www.stephanieskitchen.com/ Stephanie’s blog always has yummy treats so I knew I could trust her recipe. It did not disappoint. I also liked that these cupcakes had a different method that I had ever seen before. They were fun to make.

I did run into some issues when piping my frosting though- my fault entirely. I didn't have a big enough tip (I used a round 12 tip) and I found that pieces of Oreo would occasionally clog my tip. I definitely need to use a bigger tip next time. All things considering I think they turned out quite cute. My son was sick on Sunday so I had to miss out on family dinner. I was bummed that I didn't get to see everyone enjoy these.

Chocolate Cupcakes

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup boiling water
Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix well. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk and add to creamed mixture. Blend in flour. Blend cocoa and boiling water, to make a thick paste.
Combine chocolate mixture with creamed ingredients. Pour into cupcake papers that have been placed in muffin pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Makes approximately 18 cupcakes.
Adapted from Cooks.com


Cookies & Cream Frosting
http://phemomenon.blogspot.com/
5 oz cream cheese, softened
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 Tablespoons heavy cream
5 Oreo cookies, processed to crumbs

Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and cream and beat on low to incorporate. Once mixed together, turn speed to high and beat approximately 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the cookie crumbs on low and just mix in lightly. Pipe as desired and sprinkle with additional cookie crumbs if desired.



My Gabe gets so excited when I break out my hand mixer because he knows that his mum can't resist giving into him and letting him lick the beaters. I did it when I was a kid, it's fun to let my little guy do it now. He certainly approved if you can't tell by the look on his face.