Beneath The Cookies and Cremains

To be perfectly honest, I'm kind of glad that Rio de Janiero beat out Chicago for the 2016 Olympics.
Since I work downtown, I can only imagine myself wading through the massive gobs of Hawaiian-Shirted, socks-with-sandals wearing, tourists who don't know enough to hang on to something BEFORE the L starts moving.
Plus, maybe now Brazil can have Sepultura play the opening ceremony!!
Sepultura is from Brazil and their name means "Grave" in Portuguese.
Not only have they released eleven albums so far, but they've changed a lot over the years. I'm a bigger fan of their early death metal stuff (Bestial Devastation/Morbid Visions), and their thrash stuff (Schizophrenia, Beneath The Remains, Arise). Today they're much more of a hardcore band. But don't get me wrong, they're still awesome!

To honor Sepultura, and to encourage the Brazilian government to book them for the opening Olympic ceremonies in 2016, I present to you:

Sepultura: Beneath the Cookies and Cremains

Makes 24
Metal Constituents:

• 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
• 24 Oreo cookies, twisted open

For the Frosting:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup crushed Oreos

Merciless Instructions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cupcake tin with baking cups and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth.
4. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
7. Mix just until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
8. Place 1/2 an Oreo cookie (cream side up) in the bottom of each baking cup.
9. Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes.
10. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.
11. To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend together butter, confectioners' sugar, and salt until creamy
12. Increase mixer speed to high and beat until light and fluffy
13. Add whipping cream and vanilla, beat until smooth
14. Fold in crushed Oreos
15. Spread on completely cooled cakes (the Oreo pieces clogged up my frosting gun).
16. Mortality, Insanity, Fatality, OREO-ality