Give Me A Treat!

Ahh it is once again acceptable to eat a ton of chocolate and blame the holiday! :-)

So if you are in a chocolate-y mood like I am, this can be a very easy & yummy treat for you, adapted from a fellow blogger Bakerella (my comments are in blue)

  

Cookie & Cream Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup natural unsweetened cocoa
• 1 ¼ cup sugar
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2/4 cup milk
• 2/4 cup hot water
• 24 Oreos, plus more for crumbs

Frosting:

• 1 cup shortening (that’s about 3 Tablespoons)
• 1 lb. powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-6 Tablespoons milk
• 2 or more teaspoons Oreo cookie crumbs

For the cupcakes:

I tried both broken pieces and whole cookies,

but I find broken pieces work best.



• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Line tray with baking cups. Yields approx. 30 cupcakes.
• Place one whole cookie in each cup or break apart at least one cookie, and place the broken pieces 1 into each cup.
• Mix the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, using a wire whisk.
• Add the eggs, oil, vanilla and milk, and mix well until thoroughly combined. Add the hot water and mix until combined.
• Transfer the batter (it will be very liquid) to a large measuring cup and then pour batter into each baking cup so it’s about ¾ full.
• Bake for 16-18 minutes.

For the frosting:

• Beat the shortening in a mixer until smooth.
• Add vanilla and mix until combined.
• Add the powdered sugar in three additions, scraping down the sides after each addition.
• Add a Tablespoon of milk at a time and mix together until you achieve the consistency you like.
• Add the cookie crumbs and mix until completely combine.
• Place frosting in a decorator bag with a 1M tip and swirl on top of each cupcake; insert a cookie on top of each cupcake. (I went another way here and just used a butter knife to frost each one, like a cake; without adding the extra cookie on top.) 
• You can also apply frosting on each cupcake in a mounded shape. Turn upside down and roll the top around in a small bowl of cookie crumbs to coat.

Tips: In my experience, powdered sugar frosting is too sugary if eaten right away, but isn’t quite as sugary the next day. I’ve tried this with refrigeration & room temperature.

When I did it there was plenty of frosting left over, so I made a regular chocolate cake mix too, and used the frosting on that, so not to waste it.

 

If you need these to be spooky, you can try some of Bakerella's decorating suggestions.

I think she's so clever! :-)



Enjoy!

And as always, Stay tuned ;-) for more

Fall-ing For New TV Shows

I can't believe I've not written in so long. Please forgive me. Yes? Ok, great!  :-)

Have you been enjoying the new fall-line of shows? For instance, the new "Two And A Half Men", "2 Broke Girls", "Last Man Standing", or returning shows?

I for one am still undecided about certain programs, and loving others.

Let me start off by saying I'm more of a comedy TV gal, so yes, bring on the new seasons of "Saturday Night Life", "Big Bang Theory", "Modern Family", and "Mike & Molly"! I am excited about newcomers "Whitney" and "Last Man Standing" too.

But I am not thrilled about "2 Broke Girls" - a horse and too many hand gestures did not make me want to come back for more. Of course, I did come back "to give it another try". Still dissapointed. On the other hand, the old "Two And A Half Men" was getting to be too disturbing for my liking, yet I tuned in to see its new phase. What happened? I find a rich, friendly, good looking guy (yes!) who then starts acting like Charlie (no!). I thought the idea was to move on from that, or at least find someone that could fill his shoes. Oh well... I can say I did enjoy seeing the characters of Dharma and Greg, and John Stamos appear in the first episode! :-)

I have yet to watch "Unforgettable", but I have heard rave reviews even from my own family. Apparently, this one is a must-see! Don't take my word for it, but give it a try anyway ;-) Meanwhile, I like seeing the return of of Prentiss (Paget Brewster) on "Criminal Minds" and the addition of Ted Danson on "CSI".

And did you notice "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" with Ty Pennington & crew moved to a new night? To Fridays. I watched this past week, misty eyed as a family received a home suited for their needs. I secretly hope to help out in one of these makeover someday.

Last night, ABC's new show "Once Upon a Time" caught my attention (watch the trailer here). I have to say its different from what I'm used to watching; and I like seeing familiar faces like Jennifer Morrison from "House" playing the lead as Emma Swan, and Ginnifer Goodwin ("Something Borrowed") as Snow White.

Which fall show are you enjoying most?

Stay tuned ;-)