DIRT CLODS

Ben 12th Birthday

Monica asked for Dirt Clods.

When Jarrell was young(er) we had his birthday(Oct. 18) at the Pumpkin Patch. Instead of a cake I took what I made and referred to as "Dirt Clods"(He and Ben and I are chocolate lovers. If its not chocolate we don't want it). So I made chocolate cup cakes and frosted with chocolate and rolled in crushed Oreos. They are misshapen and look like dirt clots. They were to be for Halloween, but when Ben got old enough to ask he wanted them also, but in May. So a few years later you had to make them for the whole little league team. Ben might not could play ball, but he was popular for the Dirt Clods.

Ok. So you make chocolate cupcakes (see chocolate cake). Fill the pan 1/2 full with batter. When baked, freeze them (you can do this a week or two ahead, just put in air tight container).

Buy a bag (no I don't make them) of Oreo cookies and crush in the food processor.

Make chocolate frosting (its with chocolate cake).

Take the cupcakes out a few at a time. You want to keep them frozen. They frost so much easier when hard. It helps to have two people. Someone frost the cupcake with chocolate. The other person rolls or spoons crumbs on the whole outside. Put on a wire rack that is set on a cookie sheet. At some point, roll them around in your hand (you've got gloves on, right?) like a ball to help crumbs stick. I put them right back in the freezer on the rack until frozen again. Leave until ready to eat (or take). They just take 5 minutes to thaw, and the shape keeps better this way.

Niki doesn't eat chocolate but wanted dirt clods so I came up with a Sandy Clod for her.

White cupcakes (use a mix).

White frosting (below).

Crushed Mothers Taffy cookies.

Put it together the same way.

Butter Cream Frosting:

1 cup butter, soft

1 box Powdered sugar

1 tsp flavoring

Half and half

Put butter in mixer. Add powdered sugar and salt. Mix together, adding milk gradually until spreading consistency. Not too much milk. Remember the butter is soft so frosting will set up when refrigerated. Add flavoring.

At this point you can put some food color in if you want. Or divide into small bowls and have different colors.

(Add 1 cup cocoa for chocolate frosting)