Oreo Funfetti Birthday Cake

Job update - I am so happy to share that today I was hired as a Pre-k teacher for Orange Ridge Elementary school in Bradenton! I went in this morning for an interview and about an hour later received a call informing me that I got the job! I am so thankful to no longer have the stress of job hunting. Not to mention, my administration seems wonderful! It will be such a pleasant change to work at a place with structure and professionalism. I get to see my classroom tomorrow - so exciting! :)

Although this position is not back home in Tampa, it is 5 minutes from our apartment in Bradenton. Which means, no moving costs for us, and more money to put towards our wedding. I truly think God has a plan for me, and right now my being in Bradenton is in that plan. Here we are half way between my parents and Ryan's parents, so it seems the most fair place to be for now.

Given my new pay raise, we will be upgrading to a 2 bedroom apartment. (I will be making almost double what I was making, wahoo!) Needless to say, a bigger kitchen space is MUCH needed! I can't wait to finally have enough storage space for all of my baking stuff. No really, my cabinets are maxed out. I have to dig like a seven dwarf to find anything, not exactly fun! Although, if I sang the diggin' song, it would probably be more enjoyable, I'll have to try that sometime. (Make sure you check out the link, it is a catchy tune). If you haven't seen Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and have no idea what I am talking about, shame on you.

Who's ready for birthday cake? Rich, sweet, colorful birthday cake stuffed with Oreo's and sprinkles?

Ryan's birthday was June 22nd, he turned 27. I recently turned 26, so I get to call him old on the regular. I quite enjoy the fact that for the rest of our lives he will be older than me. He has heard it all this past week: Old man, grandpa, grandpappy...the list goes on and on. It is all out of love, really! If you can't make fun of your other half, what is the point? I'm marrying Ryan for 3 reasons. 1, he treats me amazingly well. 2, he is easy on the eyes. 3, he is fun to make fun of - Sue me. 

You may think I am mean, but I promise I make up for it. How you ask? By spending hours baking an ultra moist chocolate cake, layered with "Cream Cheese Funfetti" frosting and topped off with my newest, sweetest creation - "Chocolate Birthday Cake Oreo Cream Cheese" frosting. Have you had one of these bad boys? Dear God, they are amazing.

I literally put an entire package of these into my frosting (with the exception of the 2 I shoved down my throat). But, we will get to that later.

Chocolate Cake

Adapted from Nine and Sixteen

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk (I used whole)
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons good quality vanilla
1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour cake pans or line muffin pan for cupcakes. Combine sugar through salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well and add remaining ingredients, except the boiling water. Mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Stir in one cup boiling water. Batter will be smooth and very runny. Pour into prepared pans. Cook for 30-35 minutes. Transfer cake layers to cooling rack.

Once cooled, level cake layers with a serrated knife. Place first layer of cake onto a plate/cake stand for frosting. Frost first layer with the "Funfetti Cream Cheese" frosting. Once icing is even, add second layer of cake on top. Frost the entire cake with the "Birthday Cake Oreo Cream Cheese" frosting. Decorate as desired.

Funfetti Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz package cream cheese

1 stick unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Rainbow sprinkles 

Confectioners Sugar

Mix cream cheese and butter on low-medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, mix until combined. Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached. Finally, add sprinkles (I put a lot, feel free to use as much or as little as you want). Give frosting one final mix.

Birthday Cake Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz package cream cheese

1 stick unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 bag of "Golden Oreo Cream Birthday Cake" cookies (feel free to eat 2 or 3)

1 large bag confectioners sugar

Mix cream cheese and butter on low-medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, mix until combined. Crush cookies (I pound mine up in a Zip Lock bag with a meat tenderizer - Hey, it is good for built up frustration. A food processor will work too). Add cookies to cream cheese/butter mixture and mix on medium-high speed for a minute. Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.