My Masterpiece-Oreo Cookie Cake

Okay okay, so I adapted a Family Circle recipe into my own. It's the working woman's adaptation. On a scale of level of difficulty 1-10, I give this a 3. It's a very pretty cake, I think, and very easy to make.

Cake

1 Chocolate Cake Mix

Prepared as directions suggest

in round cake pans

Filling

4 oz cream cheese softened

1/2 c unsalted butter

1 box (16 oz) confectioners sugar

3-4 tbsp milk

Frosting

1 can vanilla frosting

Oreo cookies

Prepare Cake and allow to cool on racks. When layers have cooled, trim off any crowned cake from the tops and eat or discard (ha ha). Cut each layer in half horizontally with a serrated knife.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, with mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, then milk. Beat for 2 min or until light and fluffy.

Place one cut layer on a cake stand or plate and top with one third of filling, spread evenly over top. Repeat with 2 more cake layers. Place last layer on top cut side down. Refridgerate for 20 min or until filling is set.

Frost with vanilla frosting, using back of spoon to make peaks on top. Place chopped cookies onto sides of cake.

Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday to Our Dear Madeline

Wow! It's so hard to believe that our little baby is now five years-old. Just yesterday it seems that we were changing diapers, potty training, putting her on her swingset for the first time, teaching her to dress herself, etc. Now, she can do most things for herself. She is currently 41 lbs and a little more than 3 1/2 inches tall. We've come a long way from 8 lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long. She has had an extremely busy year with the highlights being starting, what she calls, big school at Oak Forest Academy, the birth of her new baby cousin, Seamus, and her first dance recital. Her favorite hobbies are swinging, playing ball, riding her bike (with training wheels, as of now), playing with her Barbie's, and watching Spongebob and I Carly. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite books are the Fancy Nancy series. She is very energetic and likes to be in control of her surroundings. She is looking forward to starting kindergarten in August, as well as, welcoming a new baby brother or sister. We love you, Madeline, our beautiful, precious ray of sunshine.