What’s more fun than a golden delicious cupcake?  How about a cookie and a cupcake combined!  These Golden Oreo Cupcakes have both are dedicated to our adorable nephew/cousin.  You see, Gold is the color of Childhood Cancer Awareness.

Today we are doing something a little different on Caramel Potatoes- not to make you cry {although you probably will so grab a tissue}, but to make you aware.  Aware of a few things you may not know about childhood cancer – because children can’t fight cancer alone.

Duncan’s Story:

Duncan is an amazing  kid who loved Daniel Tiger.  A kid who loved his three big sisters. A kid who loved his mother’s singing.  A kid who loved Peanut Butter Captain Crunch. A kid, who despite radiation, still had more hair than his father.

Duncan was born to a wonderful and beautiful family who love him so much.  Shortly after Duncan’s first birthday he was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive cancer (ETANTR).  Instead of spending the next year learning to run, and jump, and play, Duncan spent his days in and out of  hospitals fighting for his life.  His bravery and infectious smile touched the hearts of everyone he met.  However, a  few weeks ago, his battle came to an end and we had to say our goodbyes to this sweet and brave little guy.  Yes, our hearts are broken, but our faith is firm and we know he is happy and healthy once again.

Tomorrow would be Duncan’s 2nd birthday, and in his honor, Duncan’s community is having a huge event to celebrate his life and to raise awareness- DoItForDuncan.com.   We can’t be there in person, but we wanted to join the celebration and share something special for Duncan {cupcakes}, and to help us all be a little more aware.

You can read more about Duncan’s heroic fight at www.giggledays.com.

–>Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the U.S.

–>About one 300 children will develop cancer before their 20^th birthday.  {One in 300? This statistic is staggering.}

–>Less than 5% of the Federal Government’s total funding for cancer research is dedicated to childhood cancer each year.

–> Childhood cancer does not discriminate, sparing no ethnic group, socio-economic class or geographic region.

–>Cancer treatments can affect a child’s growth, fertility, and endocrine system for the rest of their lives. 

Wear Gold! The color of Childhood Cancer Awareness.

Support the Ronald McDonald House – we had to put this plug in for the love and kindness Duncan and his Mother received during their stay away from home and family.

Is your Church or School looking for a service project?  The CURE Sacks they are making at Duncan’s Celebration mean so much to these young cancer patients and their families.  Talk to you local hospitals about their needs.

Remember the children when you make these Golden Oreo Cupcakes~ awareness is the first step to making a positive change to fight Childhood Cancer.

Read more at: www.curesearch.org or www.curechildhood cancer

Golden Oreo Cupcakes

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

58  Golden Oreos (2 packages- divided use)
1 box vanilla cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup oil

For the Buttercream Frosting

6 cups powdered sugar
2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
4-6 tablespoons milk or cream

 Directions

 Preheat oven to 350.  Line 24 cupcake tins with liners and then place one Oreo cookie flat on the bottom of each liner.

Mix the cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and oil until well incorporated.  Add the 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix completely.

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter on top of each cookie in the liners.  Bake for 18 minutes.  Cool.

To make the Buttercream Frosting:  Mix together the sugar and butter on low speed until well blended.  Increase the speed to medium for 3 minutes.  Add vanilla.  Slowly add milk or cream and adjust as need until you reach the desired consistency.

To Assemble:  Frost each cupcake (spread or pipe it on) and garnish with an additional oreo on top.  Crush the additional 8 Oreos and sprinkle on top each cupcake.

Recipe adapted from Cupcakeables.  Makes 24