Oreo Cupcakes

I was tasked with bringing a dessert to Sunday dinner, and remembered only at the last minute.  So I needed something quick and easy, but still yummy and nice enough for Sunday dinner with guests.  This is what I came up with.  I found some Birthday Cake Oreos at the store the other day, and thought that they would be fabulous in a white cupcake with white chocolate buttercream.  Delicious.  A moist white cupcake studded with chunks of oreo cookie topped with a nice white chocolate frosting and oreo crumbs.  Oh, and a surprise half oreo (with the frosting still attached) at the bottom! 


Cupcakes:
1 box white cake mix
1 box (4 serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix(I use sugar free/fat free)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup canola oil
 4 eggs, beaten
 1/2 cup milk
40 oreo cookies (Chop 16 oreos, Split open 24 oreos keeping the frosting on one side, reserving the frosting-less sides)


Frosting:
1/2 stick (4 Tablespoons) butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
1 to 2 Tablespoons of milk

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line 24 muffin cups with cupcake papers.  Place an oreo half, frosting side up, in each lined muffin cup.


For the cupcakes:  In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, oil, eggs, and milk.  Beat together with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well blended.  Stir in the chopped oreos.  Spoon the batter evenly into the 24 prepared muffin cups.  Place in the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes.  Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: In a medium size bowl, beat the butter and shortening until creamy.  Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until well combined.  Add the melted white chocolate and beat until completely incorporated.  Beat in the vanilla extract.  Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is the desired consistency.

Crush about 12 of the reserved frosting-less oreo sides (use the rest for another purpose, or  use them as a vehicle for extra frosting) into fine crumbs.  Frost the cooled cupcakes, then sprinkle the cupcakes with the oreo crumbs.  Makes 24 cupcakes.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy