The beginning of "Sweet Sundays"

weet Sunday. That's what I'm going to call this little project... Every Sunday, I'll post a new cupcake recipe, complete with pictures & my own notes! :) For those of you drooling over them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marie.hines) you can make them on your own!!!

This week, it's Cookies & Cream Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting- I made them with my roommate Brittany for her boyfriend's birthday, and they were a huge hit! For anyone who loves a good Oreo, try these on for size...

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

1. 2 + 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 tbs baking powder
3. 1/2 tsp salt
4. 1 + 2/3 cups sugar
5. 1 cup whole milk
6. 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened to room temperature
7. 3 tsp pure vanilla extract
8. 3 egg whites, room temperature
9. 2 cups crushed Oreos (1 cup for batter, 1 cup for garnish)

Preheat oven to 350* F. Line 2 cupcake pans with paper liners (24 cupcakes).

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a medium sized bowl; stir in sugar. In a large bowl, cream butter with an electric mixer, then add milk and vanilla, beating at a low speed until well mixed (30 seconds). Gradually add dry ingredients in 3 additions, blending well each time. When all of the dry mix is added, beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add egg whites one at a time, beat for another 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of crushed Oreos with a wooden spoon, then spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 2/3 full. (I like to use an ice cream scoop to fill the muffin cups...)

Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, cool completely on wire racks.

Frost cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, garnish with additional crushed Oreos.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1. 1 stick unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2. 1 + 1/2 sticks of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
3. 2 tbs heavy whipping cream
4. 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
5. 3/4 box of 10x Confectioner's Sugar

With an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioner's sugar, beating well after each addition. Add heavy whipping cream and vanilla, mixing on medium speed until the frosting is light and creamy.

I'll admit, these cupcakes are some of my favorites... They are light and buttery, and the cream cheese frosting offsets the sweetness of the cupcakes nicely! On a more musical note, I've been in the studio this past week & have been working hard on finishing up the record! We recorded bass and drums for the 3 new tunes on the record at Brown Owl Studios in Berry Hill. The guys did an incredible job, and the vibe of the record is taking shape. Eric and I are currently doing production on vocals, and are making strides forward! I'll keep you all updated... Until then, enjoy the cupcakes. :)

Marie