Oreo Owl Cupcakes (Printable)
Chocolate cupcakes topped with Oreo eyes and candy details create these whimsical owl treats.
# What goes in:
→ For the Cupcakes
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
05 - 1/4 tsp salt
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/2 cup milk
09 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ For the Frosting
11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
13 - 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
14 - 2-3 tbsp milk
15 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
→ For Decoration
16 - 24 Oreo cookies, double-stuffed preferred
17 - 24 brown chocolate candies for pupils
18 - 12 orange or yellow chocolate candies for beaks
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract; blend until combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add vanilla and 2 tbsp milk; beat until fluffy, adding more milk if needed for spreading consistency.
07 - Frost cooled cupcakes generously.
08 - Carefully twist Oreos apart, keeping cream on one side for owl eyes. Place two halves cream-side up on each cupcake.
09 - Press a brown candy on each eye for pupils. Position an orange or yellow candy below the eyes as the beak. Optionally, use Oreo halves without cream on top corners as owl eyebrows.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These cupcakes make you feel like an artist even if you can barely draw a stick figure
- The combination of rich chocolate cake and creamy Oreo decorations is nostalgia in the best possible way
02 -
- Completely cooled cupcakes are the only ones that will hold up that heavy Oreo topping without sliding off
- Twisting Oreos apart slowly and gently keeps the cream centered instead of breaking off into sad crumbles
03 -
- Work with the Oreo halves that have the most cream centered it makes placing the candy pupils so much easier
- If your frosting feels too stiff, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it's spreadable but still holds its shape