A Southern Grace: two for the price of one

October 13, 2011

two for the price of one

Yum

Do you ever find yourself staring at a dessert table, forced to choose between digging into a big pile of cookies or tackling a tree of cupcakes? Cookies deliver a nice, satisfying chew, while cupcakes, if they're done correctly, combine a soft, fluffy cake with a smooth, creamy frosting. But what if I want the best of both worlds?


Luckily, I can have it, all in the form of an oatmeal raisin cookie cupcake. It begins with one batter that gets split into two portions, one which becomes the cupcake, and one that gets combined with coconut and more oats to turn into the cookie-like topping. It's wholly satisfying, bringing chewiness as well as cakey-ness all in one bite. Further, there's plenty of aromatic cinnamon involved, so you know I'm happy.


Speaking of two for the price of one, I'm putting up two posts today--this one, and another over on The Back Burner, the blog for the awesome site called Key Ingredient. I'll be writing about a new sweet treat every Thursday, so feel free to visit early and often! Today's feature is a caramel apple pie cupcake, and as I mention in that post, it's the best I've ever made!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookcakes
(Martha did it again)
(makes 30)

3 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup oat bran
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 3 standard 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Whisk 2 cups oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, bran, and cinnamon in a medium bowl; set aside.
Put butter and sugars into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Mix in sour cream. Stir in raisins with a rubber spatula.
Transfer 2 3/4 cups batter to a small bowl, and stir in remaining 1 3/4 cups oats and the coconut; set aside. Spoon 2 1/2 tablespoons plain batter into each prepared muffin cup; top with 1 1/2 tablespoons oat coconut batter. Bake until golden and a cake tester inserted into centers comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to wire racks; let cool completely.

These make fun minis, too!

46 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Gorgeous! Their texture is fabulous.

Cheers,

Rosa

Joanne said...

I hate having to choose between two of my favorite desserts...and really I just always end up eating one of each. But these cupcakes save me the calories and much duress! Fabulous.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Those look really good, but I miss your usual perfect swirls of cupcake frosting!

Barbara said...

Smart move, Grace. I never can decide when I look at a dessert table either. You've solved the problem!

Like The Back Burner. Thanks for the link. What fun you'll be writing for them!

LC said...

What an idea. No question about it. Will have to try these. The idea is as much fun as cupcakes with a ball of cookie dough baked inside. The texture sounds lovely.

Becki's Whole Life said...

I usually take one of each and try to split them with someone:-)...these look awesome! Oatmeal Raisin is one of my all-time favorite cookies so in cake and cookie form all-in-one - oh yeah! I'm guessing that the top gets all crunchy like a cookie and the bottom is cakelike - I love the sound of that!

Heather said...

Those look wonderful. I wonder if I could pull them off for breakfast.

Nutmeg Nanny said...

I love the name of this recipe! It's so fun :) It's definitely the best of both worlds!!!

kimberleyblue said...

Oh, that looks fun! I've seen cupcakes with cookies bottoms, but never cookie tops; I would love to eat about 10 of these.

Half Baked said...

Perfect combo of cookie and cupcake...maybe with just a smear of frosting??!! Can't wait to try these!

Angie's Recipes said...

A muffin with cookie topping..wow..sounds and looks so cool!

Beth said...

These look amazing. I'll have to bookmark them and make them myself!

Lisa said...

Great idea. Your cookcakes look absolutely fantastic!

Marjie said...

I made a new kind of cinnamon rolls last weekend. I ought to post them. Your cinnamon reminded me. Meanwhile, maybe I can whip up a batch of these cookie-cakes!

Lisa-Marie said...

Grace, I believe this is what's commonly know as outdoing yourself.

Bravo!!

Anonymous said...

You know... I've been thinking that I need to simplify my life... THIS is how I want to do that. No more decision making between cookies and cupcakes. Yes. Brilliant.

Sophie said...

I prefer cupcakes topped with cookie over frosting. Then again, I was the weird kid who removed the frosting from most desserts that came with it. But I still say a cookie on top is better than frosting :).

jillian said...

These look like a perfect breakfast treat- and something my in-laws would love, which is always good!

shaz said...

Oooh, they do look delicious Grace. Heading over to Key Ingredient asap. Is this the new project you mentioned before? Well done you.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Haha could you see me nodding eagerly at your first few questions Grace? :D

kat said...

Now that is an interesting idea...My husband would love these

Gloria Baker said...

Lovely idea I love the texture!!! look nice Grace! gloria

Emily Malloy said...

Fan-freakin-tastic.

Cara said...

I'll take two for the price of one - one of those caramel apple cupcakes and one of these oatmeal raisin cookie cakes! Or would that be a buy 1 get 2 free? I love a good deal :)

Jackie @Syrup and Biscuits said...

You mean we are supposed to decide between a cookie OR a cupcake?? Oh, my goodness. Let the apologies begin.

lisa is cooking said...

Cookie and cupcake in the same place? Love this concept. I must have this in my life.

Faith said...

Brilliant, just brilliant, is what I say to this! The best of both worlds works for me!

pam said...

I just love two for the price of one!!

Jayanthy Kumaran said...

wow...sounds amazing...love it..;)
happy following u..
do drop by mine sometime.
Tasty Appetite

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I'd be perfectly happy with these muffins as well.I just put some pumpkin muffins in the oven but I am on a baking spree.

Lori said...

Anytime I see oatmeal in a recipe, I am instantly drawn to it.

MaryBeth said...

I think you may have just out done yourself this time Grace, this is a work of genius!

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

Oooh I love the idea of cookies and cupcakes together! These sound perfect.

Hungry Dog said...

This is intriguing indeed. And really, no need to choose between a cookie and a cupcake--you deserve both!

Juliana said...

Grace, this look so amazing, nice texture and the ingredients in it are just heaven. The pictures are awesome as always.
Hope you have a great week ahead :-)

scrambledhenfruit said...

So now I can have my cake and cookie too? Sounds good to me! These look fabulous. :)

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog during my batter splatter. I have to say ... your delicious oatmeal cookie/cupcake sounds like it may help things a bit. I look forward to making some bad decisions and eating the whole batch. ;)

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog during my batter splatter. I have to say ... your delicious oatmeal cookie/cupcake sounds like it may help things a bit. I look forward to making some bad decisions and eating the whole batch. ;)

Carolyn Jung said...

A cookie and a cupcake all in one? Genius! And I'm sure it has half the calories of both, right? LOL I wish!

The Blonde Duck said...

Happy Tuesday!

Pam said...

I need to make these ASAP! My kids are going to think I am such an awesome mom - thanks Grace!

vianney said...

Missed your blog, but glad to see this featured..these look amazing!! My hubby would love these!!

peachkins said...

This is a wonderful combo!

Anonymous said...

Yumm! Love the coconut!

Laura said...

Awesomeness. But I would sub in chocolate chips for the raisins, I admit. :) Hey have you ever gotten on facebook or twitter? I want to pick your brain about what new shows you are watching! :)

cupcake is love and life said...

the ground cinnamon and vanilla... i love the way they were combined into your recipe.. great job!