Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

If you like Cookies and Cream Ice Cream you will love this delicious recipe for Cookies and Cream Cupcakes topped with a delicious Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfect dessert for Valentine or any special occasion. This recipe make 24 cupcakes.

Ingredients for cupcakes:
24 Oreo halves, with cream filling attached
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 2/3 cup sugar
3 large egg whites, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup milk
20 Oreo cookies, coarsely chopped

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons heavy cream

Ingredients for garnish:
Oreo cookie crumbs
24 Oreo cookie halves

Directions for making Cookies and Cream Cupcakes:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degree F.
Step 2: Line two cupcake pans with 24 paper liners.
Step 3: Place an Oreo halve in the bottom of each liner, cream side up.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir together with a fork to blend and set aside.
Step 5: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Step 6: Blend in the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 7: Blend in the vanilla extract.
Step 8: With the mixer on low speed, beat in half of the dry ingredients just until incorporated.
Step 9: Add the milk and beat just until combined, then mix in the remaining dry ingredients.
Step 10: Gently fold in the chopped Oreos with a rubber spatula until evenly incorporated, being careful not to over-mix.
Step 11: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners.
Step 12: Bake at 350 degree F for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 13: Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Directions for making Cream Cheese Frosting:
Step 1: Combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Blend in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Beat in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Add the heavy cream to the bowl and beat on medium-low speed just until incorporated, then increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 4 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: Frost the cooled cupcakes as desired.
Step 6: Sprinkle with Oreo crumbs and garnish with Oreo halves.
Step 7: Refrigerate until needed.

This recipe make 24 cupcakes.

Tips:
To crush cookies put into large plastic zip lock bag and crush lightly with rolling pin.