Cookies and Creme Cupcakes with Oreo Cream Cheese Icing

January 28, 2011December 31, 2011 ~ Hilary ~ 5 Comments

I made these cupcakes late last week in preparation for a field trip I was taking on the weekend with my roommate Britt. She, and the rest of the Carleton varsity nordic ski team, happened to be competing in North Bay this past weekend. North Bay just happens to be a hop, skip and a jump away from my hometown of Sudbury, so I decided to take a little break from the madness of Ottawa and have a weekend breather at home.

Since I was bumming a ride off a bunch of athletes, I wanted to do something to earn their acceptance. And of course, everyone loves cupcakes. So, I set out across the Internet to find the most delicious looking cupcake recipe that I could. I found the recipe for these ones on my favourite food blog, Annie’s Eats.

Get this – there was half an Oreo at the bottom of every one of these cupcakes (see picture below!), making the first bite a sweet surprise. Then there were chunks of oreos chopped into the cupcake batter. To top it off was a decadent cream cheese icing with crushed oreo crumbs and a cookie garnish. I think I bought out the grocery store’s entire supply of oreos in preparation to make these, but it was totally worth it. Also, making these cupcakes reminded me of how miserable I am at icing things. Since proper piping bags aren’t really in my student budget (although I have managed to snag some of Britt’s in the past), I was using a floppy Ziploc bag with a hole cut in the corner. Even though the cupcakes looked nice, I ended up with half the frosting all over my hands, in my hair, on my apron……..

Oreo cupcakes2 — The fancy schmancy Oreo base

While I modeled the food (aka ate part of the cupcake so a picture could be taken of the inside), Britt got her camera out on the bus. After some shaky pictures taken while travelling down a bumpy northern Ontario highway, we decided to wait until we got to North Bay before having a full fledged photo shoot with these cupcakes. And then, I shared with the team, and earned their acceptance, one cookie-filled bite at a time.

Oreo cupcakes4 — Have cupcakes, will travel.

Note: All these pictures were taken by my talented roommate Brittany.

Good Luck in Denmark Emily!

January 26, 2011 ~ Hilary ~ 2 Comments

My goodness, every other post these days is featuring a card that I’ve made. It seems like January is the month of birthday celebrations and departures, the most recent of which is my friend Emily who left for a six month Danish adventure this past Monday. I’m really sad. Emily’s exchange means that I am now the only Carleton j-school student left on this continent with a famous name (that’s right, Emily’s last name just happens to be Dickinson). I know this post is a bit delayed Em, but I wish you the best of luck in Aarhus and hopefully I’ll be there to visit sometime this summer!

Also, follow Emily’s blog for updates on her European adventure!

Apparently I was channeling the “tacky Danish tourist” for this card, my bad.

Happy Birthday Amanda! ft. white chocolate macadamia nut cookies

January 21, 2011December 31, 2011 ~ Hilary ~ 2 Comments

Yesterday one of my dear roommates Amanda celebrated her 21st birthday.

Seeing as she is the first of us to hit this age of eternal youth and glory, we were obviously expected to celebrate in style. No one, and I repeat with emphasis NO ONE loves their birthday more than Amanda loves hers. She even has a name for her week of birthday festivities: Amandapalooza.

One of her birthday wishes this year was for me to make her white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. You see, Amanda almost loves cookies as much as she loves her birthday. And so, a birthday wish was granted, and three dozen mini clone cookies were created.

But WAIT! Just because Amanda’s birthday was yesterday doesn’t mean that the fun has stopped. I may be out of town this weekend with my other roommate Britt, but the festivities continue. Amanda, have a blast this weekend and have a shameless time feasting on cookies and cupcakes (calories also don’t count on your birthday weekend!!!). Have fun and make this the best Amandapalooza ever (until next year, that is)!

PS: the recipe for these cookies can be found here. :)

Good Luck Mandy!

January 17, 2011 ~ Hilary ~ 3 Comments

I first met Mandy this past summer when I was working in the Student Experience Office at Carleton. From nearly the day I met her, she was always talking about the amazing trip she took to Morocco that past June. Her 17-day excursion last year inspired her enough to make her go back. In a move of admirable courage and sense of adventure, Mandy resigned from her university job, sold her apartment, and decided to move to Morocco for the next six months. Is she not the coolest person ever? In sadness and celebration of her move, I made her this card. Make sure to follow Mandy’s blog, Why Morocco, over the next few months (as well as get caught up on archived posts!) as she experiences whirlwind travel and freedom.

Happy Birthday Iman!

January 13, 2011 ~ Hilary ~ Leave a comment

My good friend Iman just celebrated her 21st birthday this past week! I met Iman in March of last year when she plopped herself down next to me at a group interview for this Summer Orientation leader job that we both ended up getting (she was the best parent presentation partner EVER!). From the moment I met her, I knew there was something different about this girl (initially it was because she somehow creepishly knew who I was). This girl has the sweetest, most innocent personality in the world, and when she turns on her cute Malaysian charm, you won’t know what hit you! Iman, I hope you had the best birthday ever and that your 21st year continues to be full of magical moments and the best of luck. PS: Parent Trap handshake soon? :)