June 14, 2015

Mini oreo sprinkle cakes for the June birthday boy

We are getting ready to celebrate a very important birthday!  June is always a busy and important month - it marks the end of the school year, the beginning of summer, Father's Day, and it's the month of my son's birthday.  It is an especially big milestone this year because he turns 10
It's a little mind-boggling that a decade has gone by.  The little infant that wouldn't sleep more than half an hour or so at a time at night has somehow grown by leaps and bounds.  It's been quite a journey and to say that having a child makes time speed up even more than it already does is an understatement.  We're lucky to have this little guy and I hope he will have many, many more happy birthdays for years to come.  My birthday wish for him is, as always, to have a very good, happy life.
Right now, let's focus on celebrating TEN - reaching double-digit age status is a big deal!  I thought these mini Oreo birthday-style cakes would make a great festive treat for my son's birthday because he loves 1) chocolate cake, 2) Oreo cookies, and 3) sprinkles.  So we started the birthday celebrations early and I made these last week to start the birthday "countdown".

Normally, I'd make some kind of ice cream cake for my son's birthday but I went off-script this year with these little Oreo-sprinkle-chocolate cakes because, quite frankly, my son opted for a Carvel ice cream cake for his birthday party.  I take no offense because how can I possibly compare anything I make with the ubiquitous Carvel ice cream cake (which I love as much as anyone else)?  Moreover, I'm planning to surprise him with a small custom-flavor ice cream cake from a local ice cream parlor that he likes so I think we have the ice cream factor well-represented already.
I think these sprinkles-laden chocolate cakes scream "happy birthday", don't you? Beneath the sprinkles and vanilla buttercream lies a very moist chocolate cake with an Oreo cookie imbedded right at the bottom!  You want to hear something funny though?  Children, and the things they say, are always a good source of comic relief and my son can be pretty frank with his opinions.  While he was enjoying his cake and we were sitting down talking about it, I asked him about the Oreo cookie at the bottom.  He very honestly told me, as he gave a little shrug, that the Oreo at the bottom tasted...well, kind of stale!  It just cracked me up because he's just telling it like it is (we believe in honesty in this house).  Truth be told, the Oreo cookie stays intact and still rather crunchy for the most part, with a little softness on top where it touches the cake.  It's still good, and it's still fun, but that's how it is.
These festive little cakes definitely brought some smiles onto the June birthday boy's face, and that makes me very happy.  I think he particularly liked the sprinkles - though I have to say that these little cakes involve a lot of sprinkles.  I actually turned a couple of these cakes into cookies and cream cakes (photo near the end of the post) and those went down quite well also.
The June birthday boy is picking up stray sprinkles to eat before digging in.
So this post is for my favorite boy, who might drive me to distraction on minor things but has always been a kind, forgiving, and loving soul that I learn from everyday.  In this mother-son relationship of ours, I know I have the better end of the bargain. Happy 10th birthday and many, many more for a life filled with happiness and all the good things it has to offer!  : ) 


Now for the deets on these happy little cakes!  

This is a bit of a Sprinkles Bakes recipe redemption for me.  When I first saw the Sprinkles Bakes version, I knew I'd love to make something similar for my son's birthday.  It's the reason I stocked up on paper muffin molds a couple of months ago (I also used them for the hazelnut balls).  I simplified things versus the original recipe, which I also halved with no problems. Instead of a swiss buttercream, I used a standard American buttercream that my son knows and enjoys.

To start, take the paper muffin cups (these standalone cups don't need to be greased and I'm seriously loving them) and lay an Oreo cookie at the bottom of each. Use any kind of Oreo - birthday cake ones would be a cool choice - you like.
Then, the cake batter.  This is my favorite part!  This chocolate cake batter is wonderful (very easy to make) and I would certainly use it again for cake or cupcakes.  It uses cocoa powder, heavy cream, hot water, and oil, along with the usual components, and made for a very moist and flavorful cake.  
Bake for a little over 20 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean, and you have these moist and tender chocolate cakes.
The bottom of each has that Oreo cookie surprise.  Isn't that just fun?
Once the cakes are cooled, it's time for the buttercream and sprinkles!  I sliced the domes off my cakes to make a flat top.  Use a small offset spatula and first slather buttercream (I used a simple buttercream frosting made with butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream) around the sides of the cakes.  Don't frost the bottom.
Place sprinkles into a rimmed dish or a rimmed plate not too much bigger than the cake.  You want a good layer of sprinkles in the dish so you can roll the cakes around in it. If you don't have enough sprinkles (as I learned), buttercream will stick to the dish and it will get even more messy.
After the sides are coated, frost the top of the cake with buttercream and spoon sprinkles over it to cover. Remove the cake with a spatula (the bottom has not been frosted so it's easy to move around) and place on a serving dish or cake stand. Repeat with the others.
These little cakes took even more sprinkles than I expected!  So if you happen to encounter sprinkle-fatigue, do what I did and turn a couple of the cakes into cookies 'n cream cakes by simply frosting them (sides and top) and topping each with crushed Oreo cookies.  I can tell you the simple cookies 'n cream cakes went down quite well at my house.  And in all honesty, the sprinkles are fun but I did flake off some of the sprinkles so my son didn't eat quite that many sprinkles!  
Make simple cookies 'n cream cakes by frosting the cakes and topping them with crushed Oreo cookies
I mentioned how much I liked the chocolate cake in this recipe.  It makes an "old-school" moist cake with deep chocolate flavor.  The texture is moist and tender but the cake holds together and isn't falling apart on you.  It's a great basic chocolate cake recipe!
These are so much fun to make.  It can't help but put a little smile on your face.  And birthdays - well, they are just the most special days! 
Once again, Happy 10th Birthday to my June birthday boy!  : )


Recipe:

Mini Oreo Sprinkle Birthday Cakes
Adapted from Sprinkles Bakes (buttercream recipe adapted from Gale Gand)

- 10 mini cakes - 

For cakes:
10 straight-sided paper muffin molds
10 Oreo cookies 
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For buttercream and decorations:
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 - 2 1/2 cups multicolored sprinkles and nonpareils

For cakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Set 10 paper muffin molds onto a baking sheet.  Place an Oreo cookie at the bottom of each paper mold.

Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Add eggs, water, cream, oil, and vanilla extract.  Mix until smooth and incorporated, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Divide batter among the 10 paper molds.  Bake until a cake tester inserted into the cake comes out clean, about 20-22 minutes.  Let cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.  Then gently remove the paper liner from the cakes and let cool completely.

For buttercream:
Place butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Sift confectioners' sugar into the bowl.  Start by mixing on low speed until butter and sugar are incorporated.  Raise speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes.  Add vanilla and 1 tablespoon of cream and continue to beat for another minute.  Add more cream, as necessary, to reach a smooth spreadable consistency. 

Assemble cakes:
Place sprinkles into a shallow dish (a rimmed dish a little larger than the cakes works well).  Trim the tops of each cake to make a flat top.  Frost the sides (not the bottom) of the cakes.  Take a cake, and roll the sides in the dish of sprinkles to coat.  Set cake down into the dish, frost the top, and spoon sprinkles to cover the top.  Remove cake with a spatula, set on to a platter, and repeat with the remaining cakes.

For cookies 'n cream version: Crush a few Oreo cookies in a plastic sandwich bag. Frost the cakes, sides and top, with buttercream.  If you'd like a neater look, start with a crumb coat, freeze cakes for about 15 minutes and then apply a second layer of buttercream. Decorate the top of the cakes with the crushed cookie bits.  



49 comments:

  1. I want those for my birthday too! They are just too adorable.
    Happy Birthday to your boy, Monica.

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    1. Aren't they just happy to look at? I hope you get a delicious and beautiful treat come your birthday, Angie.

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  2. These are the cutest and prettiest sprinkle cakes! I love how much thought you put into them. They are perfect and the sprinkles are perfect. The Oreo cookie on the bottom is perfect and that was so cute what your son said about the Oreo cookie taste:) Happy Happy Birthday to your sweet little boy, I know he had an amazing day because he has the best and most thoughtful mom and these gorgeous cakes! xo

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    1. Aww...thanks so much, Kelly. I don't deserve that much credit, believe me! These were fun to make and Sprinkle Bakes thought most of it out for me. I just took some shortcuts! haha. I don't think my little guy minded. : )

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  3. Happy, happy 10th birthday! I love that these festive (sprinkles=festive) little cakes were part of your son's "birthday countdown" ! We have a silly tradition in my house that every birthday deserves a weekend. So, no matter when your birthday falls, it continues to be your birthday until a weekend occurs. That can provide a number of birthday cake opportunities. :) Two ice cream cakes and these chocolate beauties deliciously celebrates your birthday boy! :) The mom-son relationship is special. How lucky your son is to have your love and support in his corner! I am very curious to try this chocolate cake recipe. I have been searching for a basic chocolate cake, but the ones I have tried have been too fluffy or too dry. The heavy cream and oil, but no butter, looks like it made just what I have been looking for!

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    1. Hi Wendy - thank you! We are the same way - every birthday *must* be celebrated over the weekend (we do it the weekend before) and then there's the actual day, of course. Turning 10 is serious business! We have been celebrating a lot and I think the little guy might be having birthday fatigue, if that's possible. I make an excuse to call everything his birthday event; we had his little party with friends over the weekend, and his actual birthday has not even arrived yet! I can't wait for that day...I've got some little surprised in store. : )
      And yes - I hope you try this cake. It's moist but it doesn't fall apart. It tastes really good!

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  4. Oh my gosh; these are amazingly adorable! And happy birthday to your son!! Double digits :)

    Sues

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  5. These are adorable! I love all these things too. Happy birthday to your son!

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    1. Thanks, Bianca. We're having fun with the big 10! ;)

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  6. That is so cool! Reaching double digits is so exciting and having your own amazing little cake and an ice cream cake too, is all fantastic! Congratulations on such a big birthday and for making such adorable little cakes. I have a pile of those paper molds and want to try something spectacular in them so badly - you are my inspiration!

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    1. We are spoiling the little man just a teeny bit for turning double-digits. We have treats coming out of our ears. ; ) And I'm so happy to inspire you to do something with those paper molds. I love 'em!

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  7. Happy Birthday to your son Monica. On my son's 10th birthday he wanted a lovebird and he named it Decade. So many great memories. Anyway, such a beautiful cake, looks like you made all his dessert dreams come true.

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    1. Awww...that's awesome about your son. Time flies, doesn't it. I hope the little guy will look back and maybe remember it was fun turning 10... : )

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  8. Monica these cakes look AH-mazing and I bet your little boy must be so proud and happy!! Happy Birthday to him!!

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    1. Thank you, Ami. He had such a blast at his party over the weekend. Birthdays are the best.

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  9. These mini cakes are adorable Monica! I love the sprinkles and the addition of Oreos. Happy birthday to your son!

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    1. Thanks so much, Alyssa. Sprinkles just bring on smiles.

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  10. Beyond beautiful, Monica!
    Sending love and good wishes to the birthday boy!

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    1. Thank you so much for the lovely birthday wishes, Bal! We appreciate it!

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  11. Happy 10th birthday to your son Monica!!! I always asked for an ice cream cake when I was growing up (either carvel or from this local place that was my favorite!).

    These mini cakes are adorable! And so so festive with all those sprinkles! I love it!

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    1. Same here...ice cream cakes totally rock and when you have a summer birthday (like my son and I do), you just want it even more! But sprinkles...they are just eye candy and smile-inducing little things. : )

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  12. Loads of best wishes for your son's birthday. Cake looks super yummy. Beautiful and yummy :)

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    1. Thank you loads, Ritu! Much appreciated! : )

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  13. How adorable are those little cakes! I'm absolutely stocking up on these muffin cups now. Happy birthday to your son, Monica! and TEN YEARS OLD! That's crazy...we've only known each other for a few years but wow...so big already! <3

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    1. I love the little paper muffin cups so much! I wish they were cheaper but they really are great quality with the non-stick and reinforced bottoms. No clean-up is nice, too.
      And it really is crazy that the child is ten! I didn't want to make this all about *me* (haha) or I would stress how old this makes me feel!

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  14. Happy Birthday to your son Monica...and what an awesome way to celebrate such an special occasion. The little cakes are so cute...I love it!
    Have a wonderful week :)

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    1. It's like throwing confetti in the air. All these crazy sprinkles let you know it's a birthday celebration (I hope!). : )

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  15. Holy sprinkles Batman!!!! Can you please make my birthday cake for me next year? LOL love it.

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    1. haha - so glad you like the sprinkles overload here! Birthdays are the best!

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  16. omg! I love these cute cakes! I'm so gonna use this recipe! Thanks a lot for sharing!

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  17. Monica what a great and colorful birthday cake! I love that. And, I love the Oreo stamp on the bottom too - such a nice touch. Come my birthday, I hope you'll bake a cake for me! :-)

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    1. "Oreo stamp"...that's just it! Love it. : ) I'm sure you will be surrounded by good eats and a lovely cake for your birthday. Birthdays are the best!

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  18. Love the Oreo surprise bottom and the festive sprinkles! A very happy birthday to your son! Cheers xoxo

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  19. HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY to your son! The sprinkles definitely scream festive! With the oreo surprises, the super moist chocolate cakes are the best way to celebrate! YUM!

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    1. Thanks so much - I loved the moist cakes and the sprinkles are pure eye candy!

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  20. What a cute cake! Happy birthday to your son and love the sprinkles :)

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  21. Yum, what a great thing to make for gifts, looks amazing! Happy birthday to your son!

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  22. These cakes definitely scream Birthday and they look so good. Love all the sprinkles and that they are made in individual portions. So fun! Hope your son had a wonderful Birthday!

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    1. I was hoping they would scream 'birthday' so that's great! I love a little cake for to yourself. : ) Birthday festivities finally wrapped up and I really think he had a great one. : )

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  23. Awww, Happy BIG 10 to your lovely one! Happy Birthday! Hope he enjoyed his beautiful cake. You are a sweet sweet mama.
    Oh my goodness, just 30 minutes at a time, that's mere patience on your part. It's so tough with kids. I can't imagine going back to those days, although I'm sure we loved it. Btw..mine turned 10 in May.
    Hope you are having a good summer sweet thing.
    Hugs to your little one.

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    1. Happy belated birthday to your sweet one as well! Turning 10 is like a huge deal. It boggles my mind how a decade went by. I know you share my feelings. : ) Summer is really gearing up here with school ending in a couple of days...it's always interesting, busy yet laid back.

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  24. Happy happy belated birthday to the sweet birthday boy! He certainly has great taste and Mum has executed it to perfection. I love the idea of baking the cakes with an oreo in the bottom. A friend's little boy wants a similar cake for his birthday this Sunday. I may just make this cake:-)

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    1. Thank you, Sonali! That makes me smile. : ) You have such a deep repertoire of cake recipes that I'm honored that you'd even consider something I put up here. Happy birthday celebrating to us all!

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