Oreo Cupcakes

Oreo Cupcakes

I’ve shared my recipe for classic vanilla cupcakes and chocolate fudge cupcakes, but I haven’t shared my recipe for these incredible Oreo cupcakes.

I’m absolutely obsessed with baking with Oreos. They’re perfect in cookies, brownies, and even cheesecakes! That’s why I’ve developed this amazing Oreo buttercream and these decadent chocolate cupcakes.

I think Oreos make the most delicious cupcake flavor combination you’ll ever try.

Why These Oreo Cupcakes Are Special

These aren’t just any ordinary cupcakes with Oreos thrown on top. I’ve carefully crafted this recipe to maximize that beloved Oreo flavor in every single bite. The secret lies in how I incorporate the cookies throughout the entire dessert.

The chocolate cupcake base is incredibly moist and tender, with a rich cocoa flavor that perfectly complements the Oreo elements. But what really sets these apart is the luscious Oreo buttercream that crowns each cupcake – it’s smooth, creamy, and packed with crushed cookie goodness.

The Art of Incorporating Oreos Into Cupcakes

When I first started developing this recipe, I had to make some important decisions. Should the Oreos go directly into the cupcake batter? Should they be reserved only for the frosting? What about using them as a filling?

After countless test batches, I discovered the perfect balance. I crush Oreos into fine crumbs and fold them into my signature buttercream frosting. This creates an incredibly smooth texture while delivering that distinctive Oreo taste in every swirl.

The cupcakes themselves are made with high-quality Dutch processed cocoa powder, which gives them a deep, rich chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the cookie crumbs.

Creating the Perfect Oreo Buttercream

The star of these Oreo cupcakes is definitely the buttercream frosting. I start with my tried-and-true American buttercream base – it’s foolproof, uses simple pantry ingredients, and comes together in minutes.

But here’s where the magic happens: I add finely crushed Oreo cookies to create the most incredible frosting you’ve ever tasted. The key is getting the right consistency for the cookie crumbs.

My Secret for Smooth Oreo Frosting

Many people make the mistake of simply chopping up Oreos and stirring them into buttercream. While this might work for spreading, it creates major problems if you want to pipe your frosting.

Large cookie chunks will clog your piping tips and ruin your beautiful swirls. Trust me, there’s nothing more frustrating than being halfway through decorating and having your piping tip get blocked!

The solution? Use a food processor to pulverize those Oreos into superfine crumbs. I pulse them several times, then let the processor run until I have perfectly smooth, powdery crumbs.

If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender or even crush them manually in a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin. Just make sure those pieces are extremely fine.

Oreo Cupcakes

Essential Tips for Perfect Oreo Cupcakes

Don’t Overmix Your Batter

This is crucial for tender cupcakes. Mix just until the ingredients are combined – lumps are okay! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dense cupcakes.

Room Temperature Ingredients Matter

Take your eggs and sour cream out of the refrigerator about an hour before baking. Room temperature ingredients blend together much more easily and create a smoother batter.

Use Quality Cocoa Powder

I recommend Dutch processed cocoa powder for the deepest, richest chocolate flavor. It’s less acidic than natural cocoa and gives these cupcakes their beautiful dark color.

Oreo Cupcakes

Watch Your Baking Time

Every oven is different, so start checking your cupcakes at 18 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Oreo Cupcakes

Oreo Cupcakes

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

These Oreo cupcakes are perfect for planning ahead! Here’s how to store them:

Unfrosted Cupcakes:

  • Room temperature: 2 days in an airtight container
  • Refrigerator: Up to 1 week
  • Freezer: Up to 3 months

Frosted Cupcakes:

  • Room temperature: 1 day
  • Refrigerator: Up to 5 days in an airtight container

Leftover Buttercream:

  • Refrigerator: Up to 1 month
  • Freezer: Up to 3 months

Decorating Ideas

While these cupcakes are absolutely delicious with just the Oreo buttercream, you can take them to the next level with these decoration ideas:

  • Top with a whole Oreo cookie
  • Sprinkle with additional crushed Oreo crumbs
  • Drizzle with chocolate ganache
  • Add a dusting of cocoa powder
  • Create an Oreo “garden” with cookie pieces standing upright
Print
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Oreo Cupcakes

Oreo Cupcakes


  • Author: Madilyn

Description

These Oreo cupcakes combine rich chocolate cake with smooth Oreo buttercream for a decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

  • 120g boiling water
  • 200g granulated sugar
  • 50g Dutch processed cocoa powder
  • 160g all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 120g sour cream, room temperature
  • 75g vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Oreo Buttercream:

  • 6 Oreo cookies
  • 200g butter, room temperature
  • 315g powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons whole milk, room temperature
  • 12 Oreos for decoration

Instructions

For the Cupcakes:

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Boil water and set aside to cool slightly while preparing other ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients until well combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk together sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla, and the slightly cooled boiling water.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Don’t overmix.
  6. Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
  7. Bake for 20-23 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Oreo Buttercream:

  1. Process Oreo cookies in a food processor until they form fine crumbs. Set aside.
  2. Beat butter with an electric mixer for 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed until incorporated.
  4. Add vanilla and milk, beating until smooth.
  5. Fold in Oreo crumbs until evenly distributed.
  6. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip.

Assembly:

  1. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes.
  2. Top with whole Oreo cookies and additional crumbs as desired.

Notes

  • Oreo Tip: Blend the Oreo cookies into a fine powder to create a smooth buttercream that pipes easily without clogging the tip.

  • Perfect Texture: Avoid overmixing the batter—just mix until combined to keep your cupcakes soft, fluffy, and never dry.

Final Thoughts

These Oreo cupcakes are pure indulgence – rich, chocolatey, and packed with that beloved cookie flavor we all crave. They’re perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you need a special treat.

The combination of moist chocolate cupcakes and creamy Oreo buttercream creates a dessert that’s both nostalgic and sophisticated. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of chocolate and vanilla cookie flavors.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is designed to give you bakery-quality results at home. The techniques I’ve shared will help you create cupcakes that look as amazing as they taste.

Give these Oreo cupcakes a try, and I guarantee they’ll become your new favorite dessert to make and share!