Birthday Cake Oreo Mini Cheescakes

Oreo is 100 years old. This is my view: If something as delicious and calorie-laden as oreos can live to be 100, then eating them probably won't kill me. Right? I know you're with me on this.

Anyway, to commemorate the birthday, some genius at Nabisco came up with birthday cake oreos. Seriously, one whiff of these birthday cake cookies and I knew it was going to be a problem. They're good. CRAZY good. Between the 5 of us in my fam (let's just say 5, even though we all know the baby wasn't having any), the box was gone in 2 days. I should be embarrased to admit it, but they're so tasty I don't even care. I went to the store and grabbed 3 more boxes, in fear of them flying off the sheld. They're all gone now, but I am going to hope and pray that I can still get them when I shop today.

I found this deelish recipe, and figured that with the birthday cake oreos, they would be deadly. I think I want to try it with goldens too. And maye the mint ones at Christmas? Peanut butter? I've never seen them, but come on, oreo. Get on it. Or I will.

Birthday Cake Oreo Mini Cheesecakes
recipe can be found here.

-Jessica

Chocolate Lime Cupcakes with Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

Yesterday was Groudhog Day. Maybe you've heard of it. Or maybe you've heard of the movie. I love me some Bill Murray, especially in Groundhog Day. And since it's (to my knowledge) the only movie based on this holiday, I get to watch it once a year. Well, yesterday, Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter for those in the US of A. Suckers. His Canadian cousin, Wiarton Willie said that those of us in the Great (not so white) North will be getting an early spring. Meaning me. Ha. And so far, it's been true. February 3rd and it was so warm and sunny I had my living room window open all day.

So, naturally, I had to make something spring-y. Had to. Plus. limes were on sale and I had 8 plump and juicy ones sitting in my fruit bowl.

Chocolate and lime is not a typical flavour combo, but I really don't know why. Alone they're great, but together, they're amazing. Something about the richness of the chocolate and the tart but soft lime flavour really works. Is you're with me here in Canada, make some to celebrate early spring. If not, you need something to drown your sorrows in anyway.


I found this chocolate cake recipe a few years ago online somewhere. I don't remember where, but it's my favourite cake recipe. I adapted it a little for this.

Chocolate Lime Cupcakes

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1  3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1  1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1  1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 tsp vanilla
• zest of one large lime
• 1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Stir together dry ingredients.
Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Whisk for about 2 mins (or use hand-held beaters or stand mixer).
Mix in lime zest.
Stir in boiling water.
Pour into cupcake liners (I used medium, but you could use mini or large as well).
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.

Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Juice of one lime
• Zest from 3 limes

Put all ingredients into stand mixer and beat until smooth and creamy. You can use hand held beaters too. Put in piping bag with your favourite cupcake tip and pipe on cupcakes.

-Jessica

lemon raspberry cupcakes

Usually when I bake, or crave a treat, I go for chocolate. But, today was so sunny and bright, (which is a big deal in Washington in January), and I just felt like something light and fluffy.  What is lighter and yummier than  raspberries and lemon? So, here is my concoction:

Lemon raspberry cupcakes

• 24 vanilla cupcakes ( I am still in search of an awesome recipe....if you have one, pass it along!)

   Filling:

• 2 cups heavy cream
•  2/3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup raspberries

Frosting:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup prepared lemon curd

Lemon curd:

• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp lemon zest

whisk together eggs, sugar and lemon juice.  put in double boiler and cook for about 10 min. (or until thick like sour cream) while stirring constantly.    Remove from heat, and add butter and lemon zest. stir it up. (it is soooo yummy!)


Directions:

Whip together whipping cream, and 2/3 cup of powdered sugar. When stiff, fold in raspberries.

Cut tops off cupcakes.  Pipe a large dollop of filling onto bottom of cupcake.  Place top back on.

Cream together butter, shortening, vanilla and milk. Add powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Add lemon curd, and beat until creamy. 

Pipe onto cupcake, and add a raspberry and some lemon zest for prettiness.

-Leah