#SLBloggerBash Scarlett London Star Baker - Oreo Cupcakes

We had the pleasure of attending Scarlett London's Blogger Bash which was co-hosted by Search Laboratory (more on the event in our next post) last Friday (10th April) at One Alfred Place. She had some fab brands there and it was great to see her again after meeting her last year (click here for our post on the #BloggerFestival) and was also great to see some of our fellow bloggers that we've met at other blogging events. As part of the event, Scarlett encouraged bloggers that were attending to bake something for a Bake Off! Now.. knowing me.. the word bake only has to be whispered and I'm getting my whisk and icing sugar out! I love baking and have since I was little. I've never really been amazing at it, and my attempts at experimenting almost always end in disaster. I'd show you some of my failed attempts, but you'd probably die with laughter. Yep.. they were THAT bad! I've burnt them, they've exploded, I've covered myself head to toe in flour.. you name it, I've been there. 

However, if I've learnt anything from my many disasters, it's that you really have to follow the recipe down to the tiniest little detail. It's all in the measurements and timings. You'd think that was rather obvious, but you'd be surprised how even being 1g or 1 minute can turn an amazing moist, delicious cake into a soggy disaster... or worse.. a bland, rock solid brick!

This recipe is my tried and tested ticket to success, so naturally, after hearing Scarlett was obsessed with Oreos, I just had to make them! Not even knowing there was a prize to be won, I baked my best, following the recipe exactly. After all, I wasn't sure how many bloggers were attending and there's nothing worse than having everyone wretch after tasting something that you've made! Yep.. that's happened before too!

When I heard I won, I was more shocked that they actually tasted nice than anything! Having not actually tasted them myself (my cupcake tin only makes 12) I was assuming the worst so I just decorated them pretty! But I did it! I ACTUALLY did it! Everyone loved them! I was so shocked! 

When it was announced, Scarlett went off to get the prize - at this point I was like "oo a prize!"; assuming it would be a certificate or something baking related or a note pad or something blogging related... I had no clue what to expect! Then she came weaving through the crowd of bloggers with a Cloud 9 bag.. and my heart literally skipped a beat. I was like omg omg omg what is it omg omg. 

Having seen the standard and quality of Cloud 9 haircare products at Scarlett's event last year, I was super excited to see what I'd won. Low and behold the beauty that is.. The Touch! They're literally so cool! They don't have any buttons, it's all operated by snapping the plates together! These also came with a branded umbrella to promote their current #LetItRain twitter campaign. But I'll do a separate post about my amazing prize!

So before I get even more carried away blabbing.. here's the recipe! Ultimate Oreo Cupcakes
Ingredients 6 Oreo biscuits 115g unsalted butter, softened 115g caster sugar 1/2tsp vanilla extract 100g self-raising flour 20g cocoa powder 2 large eggs, beaten 1 tbsp milk 50g butter, softened 80g cream cheese 175g icing sugar 6 regular oreos 24 mini oreos
Method Preheat the oven to 180C/160 fan/ Gas 4. Line a muffin tin with 12 cases and split 6 Oreo biscuits in half and place cream side up in each case. Cream together butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Sift in the cocoa and flour. Add eggs and mix together. Add milk and combine thoroughly. Divide evenly between the 12 cases, smoothing them flat to ensure the perfect cupcake. Bake for 22-24 Check whether a skewer or knife comes out clean. Blend 6 large Oreos until crumbs and set aside. Mix the butter with icing sugar and cream cheese. Whisk until light and fluffy. Fold in Oreo crumbs (take care not to over mix as the cream cheese could split) If too runny, place in the fridge for 15 minutes. Spread evenly over the cupcakes or pipe. Place 2 mini Oreos on top to decorate! And you're done! The recipe I followed was a bit different, I've made a few changes, mainly to measurements etc. but only minor as I've found they work out better this way ;) As I didn't actually get to taste my own cupcakes at the event, I'm planning on making a load this weekend to make up for it! Cannot wait! Do you like baking? Were you at the event? I'd love to hear from you Xx