Chocolate Covered Cherries

These are the same CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES as in Oreo Crunch, just minus the oreo on the bottom and add a cherry to the middle of each cup.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 tablespoons milk (I used buttermilk leftover from the cupcakes)

Mix butter and cocoa in medium bowl.
Stirl in powdered sugar.
Beat in vanilla and milk until smooth and of spreading consistency.
Pipe onto cupcakes and add another cherry on top!

(mortskcab)

Oreo Crunch

I really wanted to make some extra yummy cupcakes for one of my friends this week.  I tried a new recipe, added a little embellishment, and I think we got a winner.

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
2 cups sifted flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

Heat oven to 350*.
Line 24 muffin cups.
*Place an Oreo cookie on the bottom of each cup*
Beat all ingredients on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.
Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Pour into cupcake liners.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack.
Frost with BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
(from Aqua Pool post).
Add another Oreo to garnish the frosting.
It's a crunchy, soft, creamy little joy!

(nosral)

Aqua Pool

YELLOW CUPCAKES
2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs

Heat oven to 350*. 
Line 24 medium muffin cups with paper baking cups.
Beat all ingredients on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.
Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
Fill muffin cups half full.
Bake 20 minutes.
Cool completely.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 tablespoons milk
food coloring (I used blue and green to make the summery aqua)

Mix powdered sugar and butter.
Stir in vanilla, milk, and food coloring.
Beat until smooth and of spreading consistency.
Using a star tip, pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.
Garnish with sprinkles.
Voila!

(keebneloom, nosnas)