Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

24 Oreo halves

2 1/4 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 cube butter, softened

1 2/3 c. sugar

3 large egg whites

2 t. vanilla

1 c. milk

10 oreos, quartered (I did this in a bag)

Preheat to 350. Line pans with liners. Place an Oreo half in the bottom of each liner, cream side up. Combine butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in egg whites onat a time. Beat well. Blend in vanilla. Add dry ingredients until just combined. Add milk and mix until just combined. Fold in the Oreos that you quartered. Do not overmix.

Divide batter and fill 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 min, rotating the pan halfway through baking.

Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream cheese frosting:

1 package cream cheese, softened

1 cube butter, softened

1 t. vanilla (clear looks best)

about 2 lb. powdered sugar (whole bag)

milk if needed to reach desired consistency

Pipe on cupcakes with a star tip, sprinkle with Oreo crumbs and a mini Oreo. (You can find these in snack canisters for kids for $1 at most stores.

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Recipe adapted from: Annie's Eats

Baked Oatmeal

I really love oatmeal for breakfast. It's healthy, more filling than cereal, and it's yummy. I usually just have a packet of whatever flavor oatmeal or have plain oatmeal with a ripe, sliced pear, almonds, and a little granola. I love the second variety, but this is even better. We loved this and I thought it tasted a lot like a cobbler.

3 cups oatmeal, quick or old-fashioned

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup applesauce

1 cup milk

2 beaten eggs

1/2 t. vanilla

1/2 t. baking powder

1 t. salt

1 cup blueberries or blackberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased 8x& baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with a small amount of milk, it's best to warm the milk so that it doesn't make the oatmeal cold. You can also make without the berries and serve with fresh fruit, but I like it better with the blueberries baked in it. Enjoy!