Oreo Birthday Cupcakes

Oreo Birthday Cupcakes

2 1/4 cups cake flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
4 Birthday Cake Oreos, finely chopped

Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup marshmallow cream
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup sprinkles + additional for garnish
9 Birthday Cake Oreos, halved

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; whisk to combine.

In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together egg yolks, granulated sugar, water, oil and vanilla until well combined and foamy - about 2-3 minutes.  Beat in melted chocolate and dry ingredients until just combined.  Stir in Oreo crumbs until combined.  Divide batter into muffin cups. 
Drop oven temperature to 300 degrees F.  Bake cupcakes 17-20 minutes or until well risen and a toothpick inserted into cake comes out with moist crumbs attached.  Do not overbake!  Cool 5 minutes.  Place pans in freezer and cool cakes completely.

To make the frosting, in a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together butter and marshmallow cream until creamy - about 1 minute.  Beat in confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until well combined - about 2 minutes.  Beat in 1/4 cup sprinkles until combined.  Pipe frosting on cupcakes.  Decorate with additional sprinkles.  Place a halved Oreo on each cupcake. 

Makes 18 cupcakes