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Hi everyone! Please do check out my fb page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Otash-Design-Philosophy-by-natascha-omar/461917733853091?ref=ts&fref=ts thanks a lot and I hope you like what you see!

Chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes!!!

Yield: 1 dozen cupcakes
Prep Time: 45 min + freeze timeCook Time: 25 min

Ingredients:
COOKIE DOUGH FILLING:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

CUPCAKES:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

COOKIE DOUGH FROSTING:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

GARNISH:
additional mini chocolate chips
12 mini Chips Ahoy cookies

Directions:
1. Prepare the cookie dough filling (see *Tips below): In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to stir together the butter, sugars, milk and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the cookie dough is firm. Scoop out dough in 2 tablespoon scoops and place it on a cookie sheet. Freeze until firm, at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a cupcake pan with 12 liners. Place the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda and salt in a blender. Blend to combine. Add the water, oil, egg and vanilla. Blend to combine, scraping down the sides as needed a couple of times until all is well mixed. Divide the batter between the 12 cupcake liners. Drop a ball of frozen chocolate chip cookie dough into the center of each cupcake. If you would like the cookie dough to bake up slightly, keep the top visible as pictured in the post. If you'd like to keep the cookie dough somewhat raw, push it to the bottom of the cupcake wrapper, making sure that the batter comes up and over the dough.

3. Bake the cupcakes for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cupcake portion of the cupcake (not tested through the center where the dough is), comes out fairly clean. Cool the cupcakes completely before adding the frosting.

4. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter and sugars until smooth and creamy. Mix in the flour, milk and vanilla and continue to mix until all is well combined.

5. Assemble: Frost cupcakes with a knife or scoop the frosting into a piping bag and pipe it on decoratively. Sprinkle mini chips on top and garnish with a small chocolate chip cookie.

Tips:
*You don't necessarily have to melt the butter and refrigerate the dough before scooping. The melted butter just helps the sugar dissolve a bit more so you don't have that grainy texture in the cookie dough. It is necessary to freeze it though.

Denim Party!!

Another fab giveaway!!

The amazing giveaway from Lowe Photography is here!! Head on over to lowephotographyblog.wordpress.com for a chance to win FABULOUS goodies, including a super-cute cushion from Otash! Hurry!! And don't forget to share!! Have a great day!!

It's GIVEAWAY time!!

AWESOME GIVEAWAY GOING ON! Shailynn Photography is having a great 1500 fans giveaway! Lots of amazing goodies, including a super-cool bicycle cushion from OTASH!! Check it out @ http://www.shailynnphotography.blogspot.com/

Cupcakes galore!!

So I finally did bake my husband cupcakes for his bday! Along with his fav lasagna! Everything turned out super great! Here's a pic of the cupcakes... (I just made 9 so it could only fit BDAY BOY OJ!!!)

The Gramophone...isn't it chic!

Soooo excited!

Just put up some cushions today and 1 design is sold out already! Wow!! check it out @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Otash-Design-Philosophy-by-natascha-omar/461917733853091 ..Although I merely set up the page to build my portfolio that was conveniently put on hold by me after my daughter, it really does feel good doing something productive and, most of all, CREATIVE! Thanks to my darling hubby for encouraging me all along. Speaking of him, it's his bday tomorrow! He'll be gone to another city for work (which is making me really mad!) but he'll be back at night and I'll be baking him some bday cupcakes (my first time baking cupcakes!! Really, I have NEVER made cupcakes, though I've baked a lot of cakes!!) and his fav lasagna for dinner! Sooo looking forward to that, but I don't know how I'll manage all that baking with a ball-of-energy-9mth old who just wants to play with her mommy all the time! Let's see!!
:)

On my wishlist...

..all of these!! Are u reading this post, dear hubby?! (hint hint!)

The story of my life!!

Yummy Oreo Truffles!

Yayy! Finally we're getting to the "sweet" part of the blog! I enjoy eating & making everything sweet..and it would be an understatement to say that I have a sweet tooth! My cousin has nicknamed me the cookie monster & I love living up to the name!! haha! So as always I was looking for an easy dessert recipe when someone on one of my mommy-forums mentioned Oreo truffles, & I just knew I had to try them out! This recipe has been adapted from nikki's chef in training page: thanks Nikki for the great recipe! Here's my take on it...

All you need:
1 package Oreos (I used the 176g pack)
2 oz (4tbsp) Cream Cheese
White Candy coating or White chocolate for dipping (I used white chocolate)

How to go about it:
Crush Oreos up finely in a food processor. Save 1tsp of the finely crushed Oreos for garnish and set it aside.
With hands (or a spoon, I just think hands are faster), mash softened cream cheese and crushed Oreos until well combined.
Roll into small balls and place on a wax covered cookie sheet. Put in freezer for 15 minutes.
While balls are in freezer, melt chocolate according to directions.
Pull the Oreo Truffles out of freezer, and dip into chocolate. Garnish with reserved Oreo crumbs before the chocolate sets up.
Let chocolate set, refrigerate and enjoy!

Newest addition to the Line Art range!

Just thinking for a title and then it will be added to the Otash Design Philosophy page on fb...excited!
And I finally installed the blogger app! :D

Oh the joy....

..a mocha frappe brings!! I just had one after what seemed like ages! Since my li'l baby girl has been a bit unwell the past few days, we've been confined to the house, apart from the trips to her doctor's; so my amazing husband took us out for coffee :) (isn't he sweet!). I love anything cold with coffee n chocolate in it! And in this heat there's nothing better than a chilled beverage! (with lots of whipped cream n chocolate on top!) And though I'm usually too lazy to make my own version of cold coffee, here is one of fav quick fixes for a midnight iced coffee craving: Coffee kitkat shake... 2 tsp coffee mixed with 1tsp sugar (add a few drops water). 2 scoops chocolate/vanilla ice cream (whatever happens to be in your freezer). 2 cups milk. Hershey's chocolate syrup (to drizzle- you can add as much as your sweet tooth recommends!). 1 4-finger kit . Blend everything together and enjoy! It's true indulgence!!

Finally!!!

I've been wanting to put these up along with the estee post, but uploading pics on the ipad can be a drag!..i better get the blogger app for it! Finally the good ol' laptop has come to my rescue!

Love this one!!

I've also tried 2 super-yummy recipes & i can't wait to share them, but i need to get a lot of work done for my Otash Design project (you can check it out of fb if you like http://www.facebook.com/pages/Otash-Design-Philosophy-by-natascha-omar/461917733853091 )but would definitely be posting the recipes sooner than soon! Until the next post, enjoy your sweet life!

Gaga over the color of royalties!!

So, yes! Everyone IS drooling over purple! And as Vogue fashion editor Francesca Burns puts it, "Historically purple was only worn by an elite few, but in autumn/winter 2012-13 it will be for everyone". It is surely the color of the season! Pictures following soon...

PURPLE is the new Black!

GET THE NEW ESTEE LAUDER LOOK! Their Fall 2012 Collection, Violet Underground, which was developed by the brands Creative Makeup Director, Tom Pecheux, is popping with purple. “We created a dramatic fashion look with a touch of fantasy,” said Tom. “Inspired by glam rock, women can play dress up with colour and become a character that encompasses mystery, opulence and confidence.” LOVE IT!!!

Cherishing the sweetest things in life!!

Hi! I'm a designer & a WAHM of a beautiful 9mth old. This blog will cover everything that could possibly bring a smile to your face- from yummy recipes, to great tips on fashion, fun, frolic and simply enjoying your life! Whatever pops in my mind, will be on this blog!! So keep checking & have a sweet day!!