Indulgent Oreo Cupcakes: A Step-by-Step Recipe for the Perfect Treat

Believe it or not, for the majority of my life, I wasn’t a fan of Oreo cookies. I found them overly chocolaty and they always left me feeling incredibly thirsty. However, at some point, my taste buds made a dramatic shift, and I became an undeniable devotee. And oh, what a fan I became! It’s funny how tastes evolve, and now I can’t imagine a world without these iconic cookies.

Cupcakes, on the other hand, have always held a special place in my heart. There’s something inherently joyful and comforting about a perfectly baked, beautifully frosted cupcake paired with a warm cup of coffee. It’s my idea of pure bliss, a simple pleasure that always brings a smile to my face. So, it was only natural that I eventually combined my long-standing love for cupcakes with my newfound obsession for Oreos. The result? These divine Oreo cupcakes, featuring crushed Oreo cookies folded into both the rich chocolate batter and the dreamy cream cheese frosting. While the cupcakes themselves are intensely chocolaty, the light and tangy cream cheese frosting provides a perfect balance, creating a harmonious and utterly irresistible treat that everyone will adore.

This recipe promises a moist, tender chocolate cupcake base, generously studded with crunchy Oreo pieces, and crowned with a luscious, creamy Oreo-infused cream cheese frosting. It’s a guaranteed hit for any occasion, from birthday parties and potlucks to simple afternoon treats or a sweet indulgence after dinner. Get ready to bake a batch of pure happiness that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Ultimate Oreo Cupcakes

These aren’t just any ordinary cupcakes; they’re an experience in every bite! Here’s why this Oreo Cupcake recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire:

Unbelievably Moist and Tender: Thanks to a carefully selected combination of buttermilk and sour cream, these chocolate cupcakes stay incredibly moist and tender, retaining their delicious texture for days. Say goodbye to dry, crumbly cupcakes!
Rich, Deep Chocolate Flavor: We’re talking serious chocolate goodness here. A generous amount of unsweetened cocoa powder combined with melted milk chocolate chips creates a deep, satisfying chocolate taste that’s not overly sweet but perfectly balanced. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream!
Irresistible Oreo Crunch and Flavor: Crushed Oreo cookies are not just a garnish; they’re thoughtfully incorporated into the cupcake batter itself. This adds a delightful textural contrast and ensures that unmistakable, beloved Oreo flavor shines through in every single mouthful.
Dreamy Cream Cheese Oreo Frosting: The star of the show! The tangy cream cheese frosting is the perfect counterpoint to the rich chocolate cupcake. It’s light, creamy, and loaded with even more crushed Oreo crumbs, making it a decadent topping that completes the experience.
Surprisingly Easy to Follow: Despite their gourmet taste and impressive appearance, these Oreo cupcakes are surprisingly straightforward to make. Even novice bakers will find this recipe manageable, with clear instructions guiding you every step of the way.
A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Is there anyone who doesn’t love Oreos? These cupcakes are a universal favorite, making them the perfect dessert for parties, family gatherings, school events, or simply to brighten anyone’s day. They always disappear quickly!

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Oreo Cupcakes

To achieve the best possible Oreo Cupcakes, paying attention to your ingredients is paramount. Here’s a closer look at what goes into making these delectable treats and why each component plays a crucial role:

Unsalted Butter & Cream Cheese: Always opt for unsalted butter in baking to maintain precise control over the salt content. For the creamiest, lump-free frosting and a smooth cake batter, ensure both your butter and cream cheese are at proper room temperature. Cold ingredients can lead to a stiff, uneven frosting and a curdled batter.
Milk Chocolate Chips & Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This dynamic duo forms the backbone of our rich chocolate base. The melted milk chocolate chips add a luxurious depth of flavor and essential moisture, while the unsweetened cocoa powder delivers that classic, intense chocolatey punch without excessive sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: The fundamental building block for the structure of your cupcakes. Sifting it along with the leavening agents is a crucial step to ensure a light, airy, and tender crumb, preventing dense or heavy cupcakes.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These are your vital leavening agents, working in harmony to help the cupcakes rise beautifully and develop that desirable fluffy texture. Do not skip or substitute them, as they are key to the final structure.
Eggs: Large eggs provide crucial structure to the cupcakes, add richness, and act as a binder, holding all the ingredients together. Using room temperature eggs allows them to emulsify more effectively with other ingredients, creating a smoother batter.
Granulated & Brown Sugar: A thoughtful blend of both sugars offers a perfect balance of sweetness and moisture. Granulated sugar contributes to a light texture, while packed brown sugar adds a subtle, warm caramel note and significantly enhances the moisture content of the cupcakes.
Vanilla Extract: A splash of good quality vanilla extract is essential. It doesn’t just add its own delightful flavor; it brilliantly enhances and rounds out all the other flavors in both the cake and the frosting.
Buttermilk & Sour Cream: These are the secret heroes behind the incredibly moist and tender crumb of these cupcakes! The natural acidity in buttermilk reacts with the baking soda, aiding in the rise and creating a fine, delicate texture. Sour cream adds a luxurious richness and additional moisture without making the cupcakes heavy. If buttermilk is unavailable, you can easily make your own substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup, then filling the rest with regular milk (to equal 1/2 cup). Let it sit for 5 minutes until it slightly curdles before using.
Oreo Cookie Crumbs: The undeniable star ingredient! Finely crushed Oreo cookies are lovingly folded into both the cupcake batter and the frosting, delivering that iconic, beloved flavor and a pleasant textural contrast. For the best results, aim for finely crushed crumbs, but a few slightly larger pieces are welcome for added texture and visual appeal.
Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): This is the essential base for your smooth and luscious cream cheese frosting. Always sift it to prevent any unwanted lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth finish that pipes beautifully.

Close-up of a beautifully frosted Oreo Cupcake

5 from 1 vote

Oreo Cupcakes

By Julie Maestre

These delightful Oreo Cupcakes are moist, rich chocolate cupcakes crowned with an irresistible cream cheese Oreo frosting. A perfect balance of flavors and textures that everyone will rave about!

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 26 minutes

Total: 36 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

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Ingredients

For the Moist Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes:

▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
▢ 1/2 cup melted milk chocolate chips
▢ 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
▢ 1 cup all purpose flour, sifted
▢ 1/2 tsp baking soda
▢ 1/2 tsp baking powder
▢ pinch of salt
▢ 2 large eggs, at room temperature
▢ 1/2 cup granulated sugar
▢ 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
▢ 1/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
▢ 3/4 cup Oreo cookie crumbs (about 8-10 regular Oreos), finely crushed

For the Decadent Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting

▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
▢ 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
▢ 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
▢ 1 tbsp milk (or more, as needed, for desired consistency)
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 1/4 cup Oreo cookie crumbs (about 2-3 regular Oreos), finely crushed

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Instructions

Follow these detailed steps carefully to ensure your Oreo cupcakes turn out perfectly moist, flavorful, and beautifully frosted. Precision in baking leads to the best results!

Step 1: Prepare for Baking. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. This prepares your equipment for seamless baking.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients well to ensure they are evenly distributed, then set the bowl aside. Sifting prevents lumps and helps create a lighter cupcake texture.
Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients. In a separate, larger bowl, using an electric mixer (either handheld or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment), beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed and is crucial for a tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavor. Beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the butter-sugar mixture before adding the next. Then, mix in the room temperature sour cream, vanilla extract, and the cooled melted milk chocolate chips until just combined. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are well mixed and no pockets of unmixed batter remain.
Step 5: Alternate Wet and Dry Mixtures. Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the room temperature buttermilk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix on low speed only until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten and result in dense, tough cupcakes. A few small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and often preferred.
Step 6: Fold in Oreos. Gently fold in the 3/4 cup of finely crushed Oreo cookie crumbs using a spatula. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter to ensure every cupcake gets some delicious Oreo crunch.
Step 7: Bake the Cupcakes. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. An ice cream scoop works wonderfully for portioning the batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with moist crumbs but not wet batter. Avoid overbaking, as this will dry out your delicious cupcakes.
Step 8: Cool Completely. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is critical: cupcakes must be fully cooled before frosting, otherwise, your beautiful cream cheese frosting will melt and slide off.
Step 9: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting Base. While the cupcakes cool, begin making the Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter together with an electric mixer for about 3 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese, as this can make your frosting grainy.
Step 10: Finish the Frosting. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, milk (start with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed to reach your desired piping consistency), and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for another 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well combined. Finally, gently fold in the 1/4 cup of crushed Oreo crumbs until they are just mixed throughout the frosting.
Step 11: Frost and Enjoy! Once the cupcakes are completely cool, transfer the Oreo cream cheese frosting to a piping bag fitted with your favorite nozzle (a large star tip works beautifully). Pipe a generous swirl of frosting onto each cupcake. For an extra decorative and flavorful touch, you can top each cupcake with a whole or half Oreo cookie, or a sprinkle of additional coarse Oreo crumbs. Serve immediately and enjoy these delightful, irresistible treats!

Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial to guide you through making these amazing Oreo Cupcakes. Visual learners will find this incredibly helpful!

Expert Tips for Perfect Oreo Cupcakes Every Time

Achieving bakery-quality cupcakes at home is easier than you think when you follow these professional tips. These small details can make a big difference in the final taste and texture of your Oreo Cupcakes:

Ensure Room Temperature Ingredients: This is a golden rule in baking, especially for cupcakes and frosting. Softened butter and cream cheese cream together smoothly, creating a homogeneous mixture without lumps. Room temperature eggs and dairy products incorporate better into the batter, preventing curdling and ensuring a light, even texture. Plan ahead and take these ingredients out of the fridge at least an hour before you start baking.
Do Not Overmix the Batter: Overmixing is a common pitfall that can lead to dense, tough cupcakes. Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until they are just combined. Stop the mixer as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. A few small lumps in the batter are actually preferable to an overmixed, smooth batter.
Measure Flour Correctly: For accurate measurement, always spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to you adding too much, which will result in dry cupcakes.
Avoid Overfilling Muffin Liners: For perfectly domed (but not overflowing) cupcakes, fill each muffin liner only about two-thirds full. Overfilling can cause the cupcakes to bake unevenly, spill over, or create large, pointed domes that are challenging to frost evenly.
Keep an Eye on Baking Time – Don’t Overbake: The difference between a moist cupcake and a dry one often comes down to just a minute or two in the oven. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the recommended baking time. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter, and the tops spring back lightly when gently touched.
Cool Cupcakes Completely Before Frosting: This step cannot be stressed enough! Frosting warm cupcakes will cause your beautiful cream cheese frosting to melt and slide off, making a messy situation. Ensure your cupcakes are completely cool, preferably at room temperature, before you begin to pipe on the frosting. Patience is key for a perfect finish.
Sift Dry Ingredients and Powdered Sugar: Sifting prevents lumps in both your cupcake batter and your frosting, ensuring a smooth, uniform texture in both components. For the frosting, this means a silky-smooth finish that pipes like a dream.

Delicious Variations and Customizations for Your Oreo Cupcakes

While this classic Oreo Cupcake recipe is absolutely perfect as is, don’t hesitate to unleash your inner baker and customize it to your heart’s content. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Experiment with Different Oreo Flavors: The world of Oreos is vast and wonderful! Try using Mint Oreos for a refreshing twist, Peanut Butter Oreos for an extra nutty depth, or even Golden Oreos for a vanilla-flavored cupcake base that offers a different, lighter profile.
Add a Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra touch of elegance and indulgence, drizzle melted white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a simple chocolate ganache over the frosted cupcakes. This adds visual appeal and another layer of chocolatey goodness.
Boost the Crunch Factor: Sprinkle additional coarse Oreo crumbs (or even mini Oreo cookies!) on top of the frosting just before serving. This not only enhances the presentation but also adds an extra delightful textural element that true Oreo lovers will appreciate.
Mini Cupcake Magic: If you’re hosting a party or simply prefer bite-sized treats, easily adapt this recipe for mini cupcake tins. Just remember to adjust the baking time; mini cupcakes typically bake for a shorter duration, usually around 9-12 minutes.
Elevate with a Filling: For the ultimate indulgent experience, carefully core the center of your cooled cupcakes using a small knife or a cupcake corer. Fill the cavity with a dollop of marshmallow fluff, rich chocolate ganache, a spoonful of caramel, or even more plain cream cheese frosting before piping the top. This surprise center makes every bite exciting!

Storage Instructions to Keep Your Cupcakes Fresh

These delightful Oreo cupcakes are undeniably best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made. However, if you have leftovers (which is rare!) or prefer to prepare them in advance, they can be stored to maintain their deliciousness:

Unfrosted Cupcakes at Room Temperature: If your kitchen is cool (below 70°F/21°C), unfrosted cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Ensure they are completely cool before storing to prevent condensation.
Frosted Cupcakes in the Refrigerator: Due to the cream cheese in the frosting, these cupcakes must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3-4 days. For the best flavor and texture, allow them to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Freezing for Longer Freshness: Unfrosted cupcakes freeze beautifully. Wrap each cooled cupcake tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature. The cream cheese frosting can also be frozen separately in an airtight container for up to 1 month and thawed in the refrigerator, then re-whipped briefly before piping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oreo Cupcakes

Here are answers to some common questions you might have while baking these delectable Oreo Cupcakes:

Q: Can I make these Oreo Cupcakes ahead of time for a party?: A: Absolutely! You can bake the cupcakes one day in advance. Once completely cooled, store them unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature. The cream cheese frosting can also be prepared the day before and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. On the day of serving, take the frosting out to soften slightly, re-whip it briefly, and then pipe it onto the cupcakes. Frosting them a few hours before serving is ideal for optimal freshness and presentation.
Q: Why are my cupcakes turning out dry?: A: Dry cupcakes are most commonly a symptom of two issues: overbaking or overmixing the batter. Ensure you are following the recommended baking times closely and check for doneness with a toothpick. Also, be mindful not to vigorously mix the batter once the dry ingredients have been added; mix only until just combined.
Q: Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk in the recipe?: A: While buttermilk contributes a unique tang and incredible moisture that’s hard to fully replicate, you can create a simple substitute if you don’t have it on hand. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then fill the rest with regular milk to equal 1/2 cup. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles before using. This acid-milk mixture will work similarly with the baking soda.
Q: How do I achieve perfectly flat-top cupcakes for easier frosting?: A: To minimize doming on your cupcakes, ensure your oven temperature is accurate (an oven thermometer can be very helpful). Avoid overfilling the muffin liners; filling them about two-thirds full helps. You can also try baking at a slightly lower temperature for a slightly longer duration, though this recipe is designed to yield good results at 350°F (175°C) with proper technique.
Q: Can I use different types of chocolate chips in the batter?: A: Yes, feel free to experiment! While milk chocolate chips add a specific richness, you could use semi-sweet chocolate chips for a less sweet, more intense chocolate flavor, or even dark chocolate chips if you prefer a bolder profile. Just be aware it might slightly alter the sweetness balance.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Individual results may vary based on exact ingredients and preparation methods.

Additional Recipe Information

Author: Julie Maestre

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 26 minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes

Course: Dessert, Cupcakes

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Calories: 441kcal

Keywords: Cupcakes with Oreo Frosting, Oreo Cupcakes, Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes, Cream Cheese Oreo Cupcakes

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We truly hope you enjoy making and devouring these sensational Oreo Cupcakes as much as we do. They are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful treat that brings smiles and satisfaction with every single bite. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones or indulging on your own, these cupcakes are guaranteed to be a hit. Happy baking!