I will post these cake recipes later. But the short and sweet on these cupcakes is easy.
 Make one batch of chocolate cupcakes and one batch of yellow.
With a sharp knife, cut the yellow cupcakes in half.
Then cut the chocolate cupcakes in half.
I made a big batch of cream cheese frosting (Recipe posted below), and divided into 3 bowls. 
Using red, yellow, and green food coloring, I made my "condiments."
Put a small amount of frosting on the center of the bottom yellow cupcake.
It will act as a glue. Place a chocolate cupcake half on top.
Using a flat frosting tip for the yellow frosting, I drew a square around the chocolate "burger." 
I made sure to make the corners obvious so it looked like cheese.
Then I used a star tip to create a little leafy lettuce with the green frosting on each side.
Finally, I used a pointed tip to create the "ketchup."
Place the yellow cake bun on top.
I used large white cupcake wrappers as "burger wrappers."
These are cute, fun, and so tasty!


Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting enough for 30 cupcakes
1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
1 8oz pack of cream cheese, softened
1 whole vanilla bean, split open with a knife and vanilla beans scraped out (Amazon.com has 16 beans for $15)
3-4 cups confectioner sugar (I try and use as little as I can, but making sure it's pipeable)

Cream butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until texture is uniform. Add 2 cups of confectioners sugar and beat on low speed until sugar is all incorporated. Add 2 more cups and again mix on low speed until sugar is all incorporated. Add scraped vanilla beans (get every last bit) and mix on medium speed for 5 minutes, occasionally scraping down sides. The key to really creamy frosting is to NOT beat too much air into the frosting but rather, on a medium speed, beat it until it is creamy.


 
 

The rumors are true.. Oreo Truffles are AMAZING!

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Oh these Oreo Truffles...
I was excited and rushed through the dipping; mine didn't come out that pretty.. So take your time, chill them. Share them!


I don't even like Oreos.
But these are so good, so rich, so easy!
Make them.

xoxo
 
 
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I LOVE peanut butter and chocolate. I am not a Reese’s girl either. Sure, I’ll take it in a pinch. But really, it is just not decadent enough. The peanut butter is too dry and the chocolate not creamy enough. No. No. My true favorites are Trader Joe’s mini PB cups. There is no better chocolate to peanut butter ratio around. And oh the creaminess. It’s just something the mass production of Reese’s can’t capture. Since our recent relocation to New Orleans, I can’t satisfy my Trader Joe’s cravings like I’d like to. This inconvenience has me back in the kitchen, hoping to capture decadent indulgence as best I can. I think I might be on to something… and I think I found a winner! I can’t claim it’s as  creamy as a T.J.’s PB cup.. but it sure is tasty.. and dare I say, equally as addictive? These are a sugary, peanut buttery, pretzel-y, salty, chocolate-y , goodness treat. Oh, and did I mention simple? So easy.

Here's the How-To:

Ingredients:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp softened butter or margarine
1/2 cup powdered sugar (maybe more)
3/4 cup brown sugar (maybe more)
Pretzels
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (get the good ones!)

Directions:
Combine peanut butter and softened butter in a standing mixer at low speed.
Add the sugars and mix to combine. (Try not to dive in and eat all the peanut butter

mixture yet.)
At this point if the filling will roll easily into balls without sticking to your hands you're ready to go. If not, add more sugar ( a little bit of each) until you reach a consistency that is easy to roll.
Use a teaspoon measure, or a small spoon to scoop the filling.
Roll each portion into a small ball and sandwich them between two whole pretzels.
When all the balls are rolled and successfully sandwiched, stick the whole tray in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips on low heat, stirring constantly. When chocolate is melted and completely smooth, dip chilled peanut butter pretzels half-way into the melted chocolate.
When all are done, return to the freezer for another 30 minutes to chill.

Enjoy!

xoxo