Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

I had a package of Oreo cookies that I have been waiting to use for a while now. I think since February. I know. I know. Unheard of. But, I was planning on using them for a Valentine’s treat, and for whatever reason… I can’t remember now… I didn’t. And on top of that, I’m not much of a snacker, so they’ve just been sitting on my counter as a constant reminder that I need to make something with them.

So this weekend I decided a good way to get rid of them all would be to make Cookies and Cream Cupcakes with cookies in and on top of the cupcakes.

So I got busy baking.

First the flour.

Then the sugar.

And cocoa.

Soda, salt and powder.

A quick whisk together. Fluffy and pretty.

Forgive me for all the close-up photos, but I just think the ingredients look so luxurious.

Next, add the milk, eggs, oil and vanilla and mix all together before adding the hot water.

You can fill the cupcakes with cookies two different ways.

With broken cookie pieces or with one whole cookie.

Then add the batter and bake.

Oooh. I like the look of these.

Yes, yes I do.

All they need is a little frosting.

Or a lot.

I usually make frosting with butter and powdered sugar, but for these, I tried it with shortening instead of the butter. I wanted to make sure the frosting came out white instead of off white. It looks prettier against the cookies and shows off the crumbs that are mixed with it. But I still like regular buttercream best.

Top each cupcake off with a whole cookie.

You can also apply the frosting in a mounded shape and dunk them in a bowl of cookie crumbs to coat. These cupcakes have the whole Oreos inside.

Just place a cookie in the bottom of each baking cup. The batter I used was very liquid. I thought they would stay on the bottom of the baking cup, but they actually rose to the surface before they went in the oven.

And I liked how they looked when they baked that way.

Now I just need some milk. Yum!

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup natural unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup hot water
24 Oreos, plus more for crumbs

Frosting:
1 cup shortening
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-6 Tablespoons milk
2 or more teaspoons Oreo cookie crumbs

For the cupcakes:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Line tray with 12 baking cups.
• Place one whole cookie in each cup or break apart at least 12 cookies and place the broken pieces into each cup.
• Mix the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl using a wire whisk.
• Add the eggs, oil, vanilla and milk and mix well until thoroughly combined. Add the hot water and mix until combined.
• Transfer the batter (it will be very liquid) to a large measuring cup and then pour batter into each baking cup so it’s about three quarters full. You should have a little left over.
• Bake for 16-18 minutes.

Makes at least 12 cupcakes

For the frosting:

• Beat the shortening in a mixer until smooth.
• Add vanilla and mix until combined.
• Add the powdered sugar in three additions, scraping down the sides after each addition.
• Add a Tablespoon of milk at a time and mix together until you achieve the consistency you like.
• Add the cookie crumbs and mix until completely combined. You can add more if you like, but I just wanted a light speckling to show off the white frosting.
• Place frosting in a decorator bag with a 1M tip and swirl on top of each cupcake.
• Insert a cookie on top of each cupcake.
• You can also apply frosting on each cupcake in a mounded shape. Turn upside down and roll the top around in a small bowl of cookie crumbs to coat.

Note: If you choose to pile the frosting on high like I’ve shown here, you should double this recipe to make sure you have enough.

Enjoy!

Shahrukh Khan's Kids Pictures - Aryan & Suhana

Pembikin Filem Anti-Islam Tidak Menyesal Hina Nabi

NEW YORK – Seorang penganut Kristian Koptik kelahiran Mesir yang menghasilkan filem anti-Islam dan mencetuskan protes di seluruh dunia Islam menyatakan dia tidak menyesal menghina Nabi Muhammad SAW, menurut satu temu ramahnya dengan akhbar New York Times.

Dalam komen umum pertama sejak filem berdurasi selama 14 minit bertajuk Innocence of Muslims mencetuskan kemarahan pada September lalu, penganut Kristian tersebut, Mark Basseley Youssef memberitahu New York Times, dia mahu mendedahkan apa yang digelarnya ‘kebenaran sebenar’ dan meningkatkan kesedaran mengenai keganasan yang dilakukan atas nama Tuhan.

Filem itu turut menyentuh tentang sentimen anti-Amerika di negara Arab dan dunia Islam.

Youssef menjelaskan punca di sebalik pembikinan filem tersebut adalah kerana kekejaman penganut Islam itu sendiri.

Ia dihasilkan selepas insiden seorang lelaki Islam membunuh 13 orang di Fort Hood, Texas pada 2009.

Kejadian itu menyebabkan dia berasa semakin marah.

Temu ramah itu dijalankan secara bertulis menerusi peguamnya.

“Saya fikir, sebelum skrip filem itu ditulis, saya patut membakar diri sendiri di tengah-tengah orang ramai supaya rakyat Amerika dan dunia tahu mesej yang ingin saya sampaikan,” kata Youssef.

Youssef yang turut dikenali sebagai Nakoula Basseley Nakoula dikenakan hukuman penjara selama setahun kerana melanggar peraturan pembebasannya dari penjara atas kesalahan menipu bank. – Reuters

Imej Lembaga Lidah Terjelir Dirakam

KERIAN – Imej lembaga putih dengan lidah terjelir dan bertanduk dipercayai hantu berjaya dirakam secara tidak sengaja oleh seorang pelanggan dengan menggunakan telefon pintar di sebuah gerai makan di pekan Bagan Tiang, di sini tiga minggu lalu.

Pekerja kontrak, Musa Ibrahim, 40, berkata, dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 7.30 malam, dia bersama tiga rakannya sedang melepak dan bersembang di dalam ruangan khas gerai itu.

Menurutnya, seorang rakan bernama Rizan Shahrin Abdul Rahman, 35, bertindak merakam gambar kepala salah seorang rakan dengan menggunakan telefon pintar dimilikinya secara suka-suka dengan niat bergurau senda.

“Setelah itu, kami terus meneliti kembali beberapa keping gambar yang dirakam.

“Bagaimanapun, kami terkejut melihat kelibat kepala lembaga putih dengan lidah terjelir dan bertanduk muncul di penjuru kanan salah satu gambar diambil walaupun pemilik telefon pintar ini benar-benar yakin tidak melihat apa-apa sebelum rakaman gambar dibuat,” katanya sewaktu ditemui Sinar Harian di Pekan Bagan Tiang di sini semalam.

Musa berkata, gempar dengan penemuan itu, mereka bertindak menemui salah seorang individu yang arif dalam bidang paranormal untuk mengesahkan imej lembaga berkenaan.

“Setelah meneliti gambar terbabit, individu itu mengesahkan imej hantu yang berkemungkinan ‘melintasi’ lokasi kejadian pada ketika itu.

“Kami memutuskan mendedahkan perkara ini melalui media setelah mendapat maklumat terdapat siri gangguan makhluk halus dialami penduduk sejak kebelakangan ini dan menggesa ada pihak sudi tampil ke hadapan menyelesaikan perkara ini,” katanya.

Harimau vs Laos 4-1

Harimau Malaya beraksi cemerlang dan berjaya menewaskan Laos 4-1 pada perlawanan kedua Kumpulan B Piala Suzuki AFF pada Rabu malam.

Pasukan tuan rumah menang besar ke atas Laos hasil jaringan Safiq Rahim, Safee Sali, Wan Zack dan Khyril Muhymeen di Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil sekaligus membangkitkan semula semangat penyokong Harimau Malaya.

Selepas kecundang 3-0 dengan Singapura Ahad lepas, jurulatih Harimau Malaya, Datuk K.Rajagobal telah melakukan rombakan dalam pasukan untuk bertemu Laos.

Beliau telah mmebuat keputusan untuk mengecualikan Amar Rohidan dan menggantikannya dengan Shakir Shaari. Mahali Jasuli dan Wan Zack Haikal turut mendapat tempat.

Perubahan ketara yang dapat dilihat adalah di posisi gol dimana Farizal Marlias diturunkan dan Khairul Fahmi dibangku simpanan.

Pauskan tuan rumah bermula positif dengan asakan bertubi-tubi ke pertahanan Laos hasil gadingan hebat Norhshahrul Idlan dan Safee Sali.

Safee Sali mendapat percubaan seawal minit ke-11 kamun sepakannya tersasar. Seminit selepas itu, S.Kunalan dari kiri mara ke kotak penalti mencari Safee Sali tetapi sekali lagi percubaanya tidak berjaya.

Dua minit selepas itu Norhsharul dari tengah menuju ke kotak penalti namun telah dijatuhkan oleh pertahanan Laos dan sepakan percuma diberikan kepada Malaysia.

Kapten Harimau Malaya, Safiq Rahim menjaringkan gol pertama perlawanan melalui sepakan percuma bola matinya pada minit ke-15 tanpa memberi peluang kepada penjaga gol Laos.

Malaysia terus menguasai perlawanan apabila Norhsharul mara ke kotak penalti dan membuat hantaran kepada Safee Sali namun peluang gagal disempurnakan.

Pada minit ke-39, Laos berjaya menjaringkan gol penyamaan hasil jairngan Khonesavanh dari kiri atas kesilapan hantaran yang dilakukan oleh Safiq Rahim pada awalnya.

Separuh masa kedua bermula dengan satu perubahan dilakukan dalam skuad Malaysia apabila Zubir Azmi masuk menggantikan Azmi Muslim.

Pada minit ke-54, Norhsharul melakukan pergerakan cantik dari sudut kanan dan mara ke kotak penalti tetapi percubannya dihalang penjaga gol Laos.

Enam minit selepas itu, pemain Harimau Muda Wan Zack Haikal mara dari kanan dan memberanikan diri untuk melakukan percubaan tetapi tidak berjaya.

Peluang terbaik untuk Malaysia pada minit ke-63 apabila pertahanan, Mahali membuat hantaran kepada Safee Sali yang tidak dikawal, tetapi tandukan Safee melencong ke kanan gawang gol.

Safee Sali meunjukkan reaksi kecewa apabila beberapa percubaanya gagal dilaksanakan dengan sempurna.

Tenyata kekecewaannya itu tidak lama apabila Wan Zack dari kanan membuat hantaran kepada Safee dan akhirnya Safee Sali meletakkan Malaysia 2-1 di hadapan pada minit ke-67.

Kelihatannya seperti hari yang baik untuk Harimau Malaya apabila Wan Zack Haikal meletakkan Malaysia 3-1 di hadapan pada minit ke-76 dengan tandukan yang hebat.

Safee Sali kemudian dikeluarkan dan telah digantikan dengan Khyril Muhymeen.

Laos tidak menunjukkan seperti akan bangkit dalam perlawanan ini dengan Farizal Marlias di gawang gol Malaysia yang jarang diuji dengan hebat.

Tiga minit selepas kemasukan Khyril, beliau telah menambah lagi jaringan untuk Malaysia dan memberikan keputusan 4-1 berpihak kepada pasukan tuan rumah itu.

Norshahrul Idlan yang beraksi dengan baik malam ini telah digantikan dengan seorang lagi pemain Kedah, Baddrol Bakhtiar pada minit ke-81.

Harimau Malaya masih tidak putus asa dan meneruskan asakan bertubi-tubi ke atas Laos dan cuba mendapatkan lagi jaringan namun semestinya kemenangan 4-1 sudah cukup untuk mengembalikan kepercayaan penyokong kepada skuad negara.

Professor's Lecture (must read)

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll

ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Fact About Female Bedbugs

The female bedbug has no sexual opening. To get around this, the male uses his penis to DRILL A VAGINA into the female.

The process, known as "traumatic insemination" is a practice used by mites and bedbugs, and a species of spider in Israel called "Harpactea sadistica". 

In traumatic insemination the males pierce through the females' body wall to inseminate directly into their body cavity. Their penises (or rather, the bug equivalent) are sharp like hypodermic needles (they're pretty terrifying to look at actually). 

Female bedbugs have evolved with an abdominal region known as the "spermalege". The spermalege is a body part that is specially designed to be easily pierceable to minimize damage. Going through traumatic insemination reduces the overall lifespan of a female bedbug, but if they go through the spermalege their bodies aren't damaged to the point that it effects their ability to make more babies. 

The Harpactea sadistica spiders, on the other hand, are much worse. The male spider will pierce through the female's abdomen repeatedly, making two long rows of holes. Sometimes several male spiders will join in. This method is clearly not very effective and this species of spider is slowly shrinking into nonexistence.