Consider it pure joy.....

Consider it pure joy.....

Aren't Oreos are the best thing ever?!?!?!
they have both the light, creamy, whipped filling and the dark chocolate-y crunch that says,
"Oh.....yeah........!!!!!"
I think life is more like an Oreo than a "box of chocolates".
The combination of light times and dark times seems to be true of all of our lives.
I appreciate my times of great joy all the more because of my times of sadness and suffering.
I can easily become complacent in my times of favor and begin to lack gratitude, taking for granted all the wonderful blessings I have, if not for the memory of times when my comfort and stability have been shaken and I learn that life is so fragile and so turn back to relying on God completely!!!!
But, even in troubled times, we can choose to take comfort and even rejoice because the One who made the universe is mindful of us....and because Oreo cupcakes are on the agenda for today!!!!!!
Here's what you'll need:
1/2 c. butter, room temperature
2/3 c. sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/3 c.  buttermilk

Start by having your assistants unwrap some Oreos.

Then have them line a "muffinaire" pan with 12 liners and separate each Oreo in half leaving the filling on one side only...

put the "leftover"Oreo pieces into your blender or food processor (here, a Magic Bullet!!!thanks Kar!!!!)

While your helpers are busily at work, cream butter and sugar for 5 minutes , till light colored(i promise- it matters!!!!)

then add the eggs one at a time- make sure to thoroughly mix and scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition.

I realize I'm being picky, but cakes are kind of fussy and you don't want them to be dry!!!! Then mix in the vanilla.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

 Add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined.

 Scoop out batter into muffin cups and bake for 17-20 minutes. I prefer 17, but that's my oven and I like things a little underdone!!!!!

Then, because you have no energy to catch the two cupcakes that FLEW out the door before they could get their little frosting coats on, put them out of your mind and fold and put away that last load of laundry and vacuum the floors. You have time!You want your cupcakes to be quite cool when you frost them.

Oreo Buttercream!!!!!
1/2 c. soft butter
4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. plus 2 T. whole milk
2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
the bottom halves of your 12 oreo cookies
(use your Magic Bullet to turn them into fine crumbs!!!!)

whip the butter first then add the powdered sugar and the milk...beat till creamy, then add the vanilla and salt and...and ...and the COOKIES!!!!!!mmmmm.... I love cookies!!!!!!

seriously, i could JUST eat this frosting....every day for the rest of my life.....like the manna in the wilderness....everyday....really- it is that good!!!!!!! Even if you don't make the cupcakes, you HAVE to try this frosting...sandwich it between Oreo cookies....dip strawberries into it....just get a good fingerful (or several!!!)!!! you will not regret it!!!!!

Place those little cakes on a serving plate (or this lacy,dainty, foldable gem of a display platter that your sweet friend managed to get out of a store window display for you!!!!!!!!!!!).

Hope you are in one of the light, fluffy, creamy times, but if not,check out the two scriptures below. You can ask God to help you through whatever it is....He has never let me down....even when His answer is not what I would've chosen, I know He is up to something gloriously good!!!!!!!

" Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."- Matthew 10:29-31