Cupcakes

I've always had this fantasy of owning a cupcake shop (even before they were the "it" thing!).  But it wasn't until my bosses gave me a KitchenAid stand up mixer for my birthday last year that I really started making cupcakes.  Now I try to make them every Saturday! Here are the my creations from the past few weeks:

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting, recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes with Oreo Cookie Frosting

Cookies and Cream Cupcake Recipe

• 2 1/4 c flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 2/3 c sugar
• 1 c milk
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3 egg whites
• 1 c (about 10) crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (I used Oreo's)

 1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pan with paper baking cups.

2.  Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in large bowl.  Stir in sugar.  Add milk, butter and vanilla; beat with electric mixer at low speed for 30 seconds until combined.  Beat at medium speed for 2 mins.  Add egg whites and beat for 2 mins.  Stir in crushed cookies.

3.  Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups (fill about 2/3 full).  Bake for 20-22 minutes.  Cool in pan for about 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.  When cupcakes are completely cool, add frosting (recipe below)

Cookies and Cream Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, cold
• 5 tbsp butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 c confectioner's sugar
• 1/2 c crushed cookie crumbs (about 5 oreos)

1. Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until combined
2. Gradually add 2 c sifted powder sugar (sift AFTER measuring).  Continue to add sugar until you reach the consistency and SWEETNESS that works for you! (careful... this frosting can get VERY SWEET if you use too much sugar!!)
3. Gently fold in cookie crumbs
4. Frost cupcakes and ENJOY!! :)