Cookies and Cream Layer Cake

Exactly one month ago today, my sweet littlest love, William, turned three years old. It's such a cliche, I know, but I seriously have no idea how the time passed by so quickly. It seems like yesterday Will was just a sweet little bundle of baby, and now he's rapidly becoming a little boy. A charming, beautiful, amazing, very loving and very loved little boy.

In our house, we don't do giant parties, but we always have a small family party for the boys' birthdays. For Will's cake this year, I knew pretty much immediately that I wanted to do something with Oreos. The boy is an Oreo fiend, and he comes by that trait naturally. I kept the cake itself pretty simple and made it special with cookie crumbs and a wax paper "3." I loved how this turned out, both in taste and in looks; the cake was so moist, and the frosting was so creamy and sweet. 

And, most importantly, the birthday boy was very, very happy with his cake.

Cookies and Cream Layer Cake

cake adapted from Taste of Home; frosting is my recipe

For the cake:

1 package white cake mix

1 1/4 cups water

1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups coarsely-chopped Oreos

For the frosting:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

1 8-ounce package cream cheese

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup whipped topping

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil, eggs and vanilla; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on high for 2 minutes. Gently fold in crushed cookies.

3. Pour into two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake  for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

4. For frosting, beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla in another large bowl until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time. Gently fold in whipped topping. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cooled cake. Decorate the top and sides with cookies if desired.