Oreo Owl Cupcakes (Printable)

Chocolate cupcakes decorated as playful owls using Oreos, frosting, and colorful candies for an adorable dessert.

# What You Need:

→ For the Cupcakes

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
05 - 1/4 tsp salt
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/2 cup milk
09 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ For the Frosting

11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
13 - 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
14 - 2-3 tbsp milk
15 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ For Decoration

16 - 24 Oreo cookies, double-stuffed preferred
17 - 24 brown chocolate candies for pupils
18 - 12 orange or yellow chocolate candies for beaks

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract; blend until combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated.
05 - Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
06 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add vanilla and 2 tbsp milk; beat until fluffy, adding more milk if needed for spreading consistency.
07 - Frost cooled cupcakes generously.
08 - Carefully twist Oreos apart, keeping cream on one side for owl eyes. Place two halves cream-side up on each cupcake.
09 - Press a brown candy on each eye for pupils. Position an orange or yellow candy below the eyes as the beak. Optionally, use Oreo halves without cream on top corners as owl eyebrows.
10 - Serve and enjoy your whimsical owl cupcakes.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These cupcakes turn an ordinary chocolate treat into something that makes both kids and adults actually gasp when they see the platter
  • The frosting is incredibly forgiving, hiding any imperfections while the Oreo faces do all the charming work for you
02 -
  • Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting or your buttercream will melt into sad little puddles
  • Twisting Oreos slowly and gently keeps the cream attached to one side consistently
03 -
  • Sort through your candy bag before starting to find the most uniform pieces for faces
  • Double-stuffed Oreos provide enough cream height that the candies adhere without additional frosting