24 Oreo cookies, separated (carefully twist for 1 side with filling intact, 1 side just cookie)
24 Oreo cookies, quartered
2¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons for quartered Oreos
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup milk (I used skim)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 egg whites, at room temperature
1⅔ cups sugar
Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese (I used the ⅓ less fat variety), at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3-4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
With the Oreos that have been separated: 1) Place each cream-filled half of the separated Oreos at the bottom of each paper liner. 2) With the chocolate cookie halves, cut 12 in half and crush the remaining 12, and set aside for garnish.
Toss the quartered Oreos in flour and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter until fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add milk, sugar and vanilla, and beat until combined.
Add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing until well-blended. Add the egg whites, and beat for 2 minutes. Fold in quartered Oreos.
Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Add butter, and cream until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until you reach desired consistency.
Frost cupcakes as desired. Sprinkle with crushed Oreos and top with a half of the chocolate cookie halves.
Notes
There were a few comments on the original recipe that reported occasional cake sticking to the cupcake liners. While I did not experience this issue, I wanted to bring this to your attention so you carefully peel your liners. Also, I stored my cupcakes in the refrigerator, but do not know if that helped the paper liners release. They're good...enjoy!
Recipe by Alida's Kitchen at https://www.alidaskitchen.com/2012/04/12/oreo-cookies-and-cream-cupcakes/