Dirt Cupcakes

These are probably the messiest, yummiest cupcakes I have made to date. I am not usually a big fan of chocolate cupcakes, but these were tasty! I think it was the combination of frosting, Oreos, and chocolate chips. My kids loved them too! I'm pretty sure these are their new favorite cupcake. I will warn you that these are messy to make and eat, but that's part of the fun, right? This particular cupcake is also a fun one for kids to make. There is nothing pretty or fancy about it. Nothing needs to look perfect or neat. Kids can basically decorate the entire cupcake by themselves. Okay, maybe a little help from you, but not much. And what kid doesn't like to play in dirt, especially dirt they can eat?

Dirt Cupcakes (Adapted from Cupcakes, Cookies and Cakes by Tracy Maurer)

Box of Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (or any type of chocolate cake mix)

Bake cupcakes per directions on box (refer back to this post on baking the perfect cupcake)

While cupcakes are baking you can start working on the "dirt" and "worms."

Here's what you need:

2 cups of crushed Oreo crumbs

1 cup of mini chocolate chips

Chewy worm candy

To make crumbs, put a few Oreos in a plastic zipper freeze bag. Use a rolling pin to break the cookies into small bits. Mix cookie crumbs and chocolate chips in a small bowl. Set aside for later. For the worms, you can cut them to desired length. Set aside and prepare frosting.

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

Recipe from the back of the Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa box...ridiculously yummy and easy!

1 stick butter

2/3 cup Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed to spreading consistency. Add more milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.

To assemble your dirt cupcakes:

Spread frosting on the top of each cupcake. Sprinkle the cookie crumb mixutre on the frosting and pat into place. Place worms on the cupcake as desired. Eat and enjoy!