Let’s bake and decorate these beautiful Oreo Sunflower Cupcakes!

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two muffin tins with cupcake liners.

Step 2: Make the Cupcakes

Prepare the vanilla cake batter according to the package instructions.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

Bake the cupcakes according to the package directions.

Let the cupcakes cool completely in the muffin tins before frosting.

Step 3: Make the Buttercream

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the buttercream. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until it’s light and fluffy.

Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined.

Add the vanilla extract, heavy cream, and salt, and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Divide and Color Buttercream

Divide the buttercream into two separate bowls.

Using yellow food coloring (gel food coloring is recommended), dye one bowl of buttercream yellow. Leave the other bowl white.

Step 5: Prepare Piping Bags

Add the white buttercream to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.

Add the yellow buttercream to a pastry bag fitted with a small leaf tip.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Pipe a swirl of white buttercream onto each cooled cupcake, creating a base for the sunflower.

Top each cupcake with an Oreo half (creme removed), pressing it gently into the white buttercream.

Starting slightly off the edge of the Oreo, pipe yellow petals around the Oreo using the leaf tip.

Move to the edge of the Oreo and pipe a second layer of petals, slightly overlapping the first layer, to create a full sunflower effect.