Friday, August 30, 2013

Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting for Back to School

It is that time of the year when kids go back to school in US. It is that time of the year you realize your kid is getting older, taking another milestone in their life. It is that time of the year when we know summer is almost over and Fall is upon us. It is that time of the year when my lil monkey goes to kindergarten. It is that time of the year when every Mother whose kids start school wonders - Where did all those five years go ?

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School reopening makes me very nostalgic. It reminds me of the monsoon back in Kerala. It reminds me of the muddy roads and umbrellas. It reminds me of the hundreds of flowering plants back home. It reminds me of the paper boats we made and let float in the temporary water pools in the yard left behind by evening rains. It reminds me of getting all wet in the rain. It reminds me of yellow dragon flies that come after a rain. It reminds me of the circles that rain makes in a pool. And it definitely reminds me that how much I wanted to stay back home and continue to do all the fun stuff we did in summer !

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School reopening also reminds me of the smell of new school uniform, smell of new books, smell of lunch pack in sauteed vazhayila (plantain leaf) and best of all, the smell of rain. When it rains continuously, kannuneerthulli(tear drop)forms in the grassroots that hangs out from the stem. I love to hold it close to my face and let the droplet drain on my face. The chill that softness and the wets a paths on my face I still remember.

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All this nostalgia could be one of the reasons that we make it a point to go to Kerala every time when it is monsoon. I have a love hate relationship with rain. When I was a small kid I used to hate to go to school. No, it wasn't the teachers or the subjects that bothered me. It was the FUN at home ! I never wanted to leave home ! We lived in joint family until I was in 2nd and that explains it,isn't it ?. I lived with my parents, grand parents and uncle's family. We have a moderately sized estate, which is mostly rubber plantation. But we also have lots and lots of Jackfruit trees, Mango trees, Aani/Aanjili trees (jungle jack fruit),Guava trees,chamba (Water/rose apple) trees etc. to name a few. Some of those trees are gone, but some are still there along with a few new ones.

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No matter which part of the world and weather we have summer vacations and then the new academic year with it’s new school paraphernalia will be etched in every one’s minds. Isn’t this a great time to celebrate with some utterly delicious cupcakes. Even my daughter, who hates oreos loved these cupcakes. She said she liked the combination very much. The frosting is cherry. Yes, real cherry. The cupcakes are great even without the frosting. You could sprinkle some powdered sugar and serve them. So tell me, are you planning to celebrate your little one's first day at school ?

Preparation time : 10min
Baking time: 16-18 min
Yield: 2 dozen medium size cupcakes
Adapted from: Bakerella

Ingredients:

For Cupcakes:

All purpose flour- 1 1/2 cup
Unsweetened cocoa- 1/2 cup
Sugar- 1 1/4 cup
Baking soda- 3/4 tsp
Baking powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt- 1/4 tsp
Large eggs- 2
Vegetable oil- 1/2 cup
Pure vanilla extract- 1 1/2 tsp
Milk(I used 2% milk)- 3/4 cup
Hot water- 3/4 cup
Oreo cookies- 24

For Frosting:

Unsalted butter,at room temperature- 1 cup
Confectioner's sugar- 1 lb
Pure vanilla extract- 1 tsp
Milk- 2-3 Tbsp
Oreo cookie crumbs- 1-2 Tbsp, or to your liking

Method:

For Cupcakes:

1.Preheat oven at 350 degree F. Line 2 muffin pans with cupcake liners.
1a.Whisk together the flour,cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
2.beat sugar and oil together in another mixing bowl, until combined
3.Add eggs one at a time and beat until everything is mixed.
4.Add vanilla and milk and beat to mix in.
5.Add the flour mixture and hot water alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture. The batter will be very liquid.
6.Place an oreo cookie in each cup. Pour the batter to fill almost 3/4th of the cup.
7.Bake the cupcakes for 16-18 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
8.Cool on a wire rack before you decorate with frosting.

For Frosting:

1.Beat the butter until smooth.
2.Add sugar ,a little at a time and mix well.
3.Add vanilla and mix in.
4.Add enough milk to get a desired consistency.
5.Add enough cookie crumbs as you wish and mix in.
6.Use a decorating tip or ziploc bag to swirl on top of each cake.

Notes:

1.As I told you, these cupcakes are awesome even without any frosting. (In fact my dear daughter preferred it like that!)
2.You could add more cookie crumbs in the frosting f you want to see a lot of brown specks on white frosting.

20 comments:

  1. Loved the post and the photographs. Reading this brought back some great memories of childhood days and home! And the pics are so tempting, I need a chocolate fix right now:)

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    Replies
    1. Come over here :) Yes, childhood memories are the best

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  2. I'm sure these memories represent all those who studied in Kerala !! Wonderful cupcakes and thumbs up for your pix too

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    Replies
    1. Couldn't agree more ! Really miss those monsoons

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  3. I'm sure these memories represent all those who studied in Kerala !! Wonderful cupcakes and thumbs up for your pix too

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  4. Seriously who can resist to this cute cupcakes, omg just killing me.. Am waiting my kids to go back to school..Yet few days to go.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Priya ! Good luck to your kiddos for the new year and new start

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  5. Wonderful pictures Nami.. I went back to Kerala reading the post. Loved where you talk about the droplets on grass blades...wonderful.

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  6. fun cakes and your right it does make you look back with fond memories hugs, hope your kids enjoyed the first week of school

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  7. I have a calander from Martha and there is a cupcake made with these cookies, which i thought was so heavy but I love this idea. Tell me aobut it, I am like did so many years go so fast. Enjoy the time with the kids they will grwo up so fast like blinking your eye.

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  8. cupcakes look delicious and nice clicks.

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  9. hello ladies, havent visited you for a while. Love that cute cupcake.

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  10. Love reading about your childhood and loved the photographs

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  11. Looks so pretty!!! Just redirected to your page n found few yummy dishes here!!! Great... Happy to connect you :)

    Visit me @ www.cookingwithsj.com

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  12. I love the click and the plate. Of course the cake looks awesome too.Visiting after some time but the recipes and clicks are still awesome as ever.

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  13. First time on ur blog. The cupcake looks so moist and soft. Fan of your clicks:)
    Do visist my space:)

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  14. yum yum yum..
    Happy women's day...

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  16. I really liked your post about Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting for Back to School

    ReplyDelete

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