Bake a Difference: Join the Virtual Great American Bake Sale for Share Our Strength & Enjoy Delicious Cookies and Cream Cupcakes!

Welcome to the heartwarming world of the **Virtual Great American Bake Sale**! This isn’t just about indulging in delicious treats; it’s about making a profound difference in the lives of children across America. We are incredibly proud to announce that 100% of the proceeds generated from the sale of these exclusive recipe ebooks will be directly channeled to **Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale program**. Every single purchase contributes to a vital cause, ensuring that no child in America grows up hungry.

The funds raised through this initiative are not just a donation; they are a lifeline. They are specifically allocated to after-school and summer feeding programs—critical food programs that countless children depend on when school is not in session. For many kids, school meals are their primary source of nutrition. When schools close for breaks, the risk of hunger skyrockets. Share Our Strength, a national organization dedicated to eradicating child hunger, works tirelessly through programs like the Great American Bake Sale to bridge this gap and provide consistent access to nutritious food. By participating, you become an integral part of this crucial mission.

Supporting a Worthy Cause: Share Our Strength’s Mission to End Child Hunger

Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign is a powerful movement working to ensure all children have the healthy food they need to thrive. They connect kids to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teach low-income families how to cook healthy, affordable meals. The Great American Bake Sale is one of their most beloved and accessible fundraising initiatives, inviting communities, families, and individuals to turn their love for baking into tangible support for children in need.

The Impact of Your Contribution

Imagine a child who looks forward to school not just for learning, but for their next meal. When summer arrives or school lets out for the day, that child’s access to food can become uncertain. This is where your contribution through the Virtual Great American Bake Sale steps in. The funds enable:

**After-School Programs:** Providing nutritious snacks and meals to children who might otherwise go without, ensuring they have the energy to learn and play.
**Summer Feeding Programs:** Offering regular, healthy meals during the summer months, a period when food insecurity is often at its highest for many families.
**Community Outreach:** Supporting efforts to connect families with existing food resources and educate them on sustainable eating practices.

Your support helps create a safety net for these vulnerable children, giving them the strength and opportunity to succeed, both in school and in life. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an investment in their future.

Why the Virtual Bake Sale and the Convenience of Our Recipe Ebook

We understand that in today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. While many talented bloggers have contributed their amazing recipes to this great cause, and you are welcome to view them individually, this ebook offers a more streamlined and accessible solution. Think about it: how many recipes do you have bookmarked across various websites, hidden in different folders, or scribbled on scattered notes?

A Curated Collection at Your Fingertips

This comprehensive recipe ebook compiles all these fantastic contributions into one single, easy-to-access file. It’s designed for your hard drive, tablet, or phone, allowing you to save a treasure trove of delightful recipes in one organized spot. No more endless scrolling or searching; all the inspiration you need for your next baking adventure is just a click away. It’s the ultimate digital cookbook, offering convenience while simultaneously channeling your passion for baking into a significant charitable act.

To clear up any confusion, purchasing an ebook is not strictly necessary to view all of the recipes bloggers have contributed online. However, by choosing to purchase this convenient ebook, you are making a direct financial contribution to Share Our Strength’s mission. You’re not just getting a collection of recipes; you’re actively participating in the solution to child hunger, making a tangible impact with every page turn. It’s a win-win: you get to enjoy a beautifully curated collection of recipes, and children get the meals they desperately need.

Our Delicious Contribution: Irresistible Cookies and Cream Cupcakes

As a proud participant in this incredible initiative, I was thrilled to contribute a recipe that’s sure to bring smiles: my much-loved **Cookies and Cream Cupcakes**. These aren’t just any cupcakes; they’re a delightful blend of rich vanilla cake studded with crushed Oreos, topped with a velvety chocolate buttercream frosting, and garnished with a classic Oreo half. They are a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for any occasion, and now, they can be a symbol of your generosity!

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk (at room temperature for best results)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 large egg whites (also at room temperature)
1 cup Oreos, finely crushed (about 10-12 cookies)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk (dairy or non-dairy, as preferred)
12 Oreos, cut in half, for garnish

Instructions:

**Prepare for Baking:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 24 standard muffin cups with paper liners. If you don’t have liners, make sure to grease the muffin tins really, really well to prevent sticking.
**Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and granulated sugar. Sifting helps to aerate the flour and remove any lumps, ensuring a lighter, more consistent cupcake texture.
**Add Wet Ingredients (First Round):** To the dry ingredients, add the milk, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for exactly 2 minutes. This initial mixing incorporates the butter and liquid, starting the emulsification process.
**Incorporate Egg Whites:** Add the egg whites to the batter. Continue to beat at medium speed for another 2 minutes. The egg whites will add structure and lightness to the cupcakes. Make sure all ingredients are well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
**Fold in Oreos:** Gently stir in the crushed Oreos. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes. A few gentle folds with a spatula are sufficient to distribute the cookie pieces evenly.
**Fill Cupcake Liners:** Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full. This allows room for the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
**Bake:** Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
**Cool Completely:** Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tins for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Frosting warm cupcakes will cause the frosting to melt.
**Prepare Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:** While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, softened butter, and vanilla extract until well combined and creamy.
**Achieve Perfect Consistency:** Gradually add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. You might need slightly more or less milk depending on your desired thickness.
**Frost and Garnish:** Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the chocolate buttercream. For a classic finish, place a halved Oreo cookie on top of each frosted cupcake for garnish.

Source: Recipe Zaar

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Cupcakes

Achieving perfect cupcakes every time requires a little attention to detail. Here are some pro tips to ensure your Cookies and Cream Cupcakes are nothing short of spectacular:

**Room Temperature Ingredients:** Always use room temperature butter, milk, and egg whites. This ensures they emulsify properly, creating a smoother batter and a more uniform crumb.
**Do Not Overmix:** Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cupcakes.
**Sift Dry Ingredients:** Sifting flour, baking powder, and sugar not only removes lumps but also aerates the mixture, contributing to a lighter texture.
**Accurate Measuring:** Use proper measuring techniques. Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge and measure liquids at eye level.
**Fill Liners Evenly:** Use an ice cream scoop or a measuring cup to ensure each liner is filled with the same amount of batter. This leads to uniformly sized and baked cupcakes.
**Don’t Open Oven Door:** Avoid opening the oven door frequently during baking, especially in the first 15 minutes, as this can cause the cupcakes to fall.
**Cool Completely:** Patience is key! Ensure your cupcakes are entirely cool before frosting them. Warm cupcakes will melt your beautifully piped buttercream.
**Storage:** Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Beyond the Bake Sale: Other Ways to Help Share Our Strength

While the Virtual Great American Bake Sale and our recipe ebook are fantastic ways to contribute, Share Our Strength offers many avenues for those who wish to do more:

**Direct Donation:** Visit the No Kid Hungry website to make a direct monetary donation.
**Volunteer:** Explore local volunteer opportunities to help with food distribution, cooking classes, or outreach programs.
**Advocacy:** Become an advocate by speaking out about child hunger, contacting your legislators, or sharing information on social media to raise awareness.
**Spread the Word:** Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about the amazing work Share Our Strength does and encourage them to get involved.

Conclusion: Your Purchase, Their Future

The Virtual Great American Bake Sale is more than just a collection of recipes; it’s a testament to the power of community and compassion. Every ebook purchased, every recipe baked from its pages, directly contributes to ending child hunger in America. Your support helps feed children during the crucial times when school is out, ensuring they have the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow.

Thank you for joining us in this meaningful endeavor. We hope you enjoy these delightful Cookies and Cream Cupcakes and find inspiration in the knowledge that your love for baking is making a real, tangible difference. Let’s bake a difference, one cupcake at a time, and help Share Our Strength achieve its vision of a country where no child grows up hungry. Your generosity today shapes a brighter future for countless children tomorrow. Make a difference – support the Virtual Great American Bake Sale!