COOKIES AND CREAM CUPCAKES FROM SCRATCH RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
• In medium bowl, beat all filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth; set aside.
• In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes.
• In large bowl, beat chocolate mixture, sugar, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in flour and salt on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on medium speed 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread 1 3/4 cups of the batter in pan. Spread filling over batter. Drop remaining batter in mounds randomly over filling; carefully spread to cover cream cheese layer.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 2 hours. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Fill prepared cups three-fourths full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Spread with frosting.