These cookies & cream brownies are brownie sky-scrapers! They have 4 equally indulgent layers including homemade brownies, Oreos, cookies & cream buttercream frosting, and smooth chocolate ganache. Over-the-top in the best way.
Welcome to the final day in Sally’s Cookie Palooza! I decided to end the 6th annual Christmas cookie countdown with something light, innocent, and calorie free.
LOL. Kidding.
These cookies & cream brownies are basically 500 cookies in one. And tomorrow is National Brownie Day so obviously we’re celebrating in a very big, very over-the-top, very caloric way. If you dig Oreos, brownies, and chocolate… Merry Christmas to you. ๐
4 Layer “Fork & Plate Brownies”
I call these my fork and plate brownies because they’re so thick, fudgy, and irresistibly dense that you need a fork and plate for consuming. With 4 equally indulgent layers, they’re brownie sky scrapers. Here’s each layer listed out:
- Brownie base
- Layer of Oreo cookies
- Cookies & cream buttercream
- Chocolate topping
Brownie Base
This is a 9×13-inch pan of brownies. I won’t go into much detail about the brownie base because you can use homemade brownies or boxed brownies. Obviously I recommend my homemade brownies, but I know schedules get crazy and time is a luxury, especially during the holidays. So use your favorite boxed mix if needed. I will say that my homemade brownies recipe is seriously fudgy and takes about 10 minutes to throw together. ๐
Want to make a 9-inch pan instead? See my recipe note!
Success Tip: Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it much easier to remove the bars before slicing and serving. I use the same tip when making rice krispie treats and M&M cookie bars, too.
The Oreo Layer
Oreos are pressed into the top of the brownie batter before baking. I recommend using Double Stuf Oreos, which comes with 30 Oreos in the package. Don’t steal a taste because you’ll need every single Oreo for these cookies & cream brownies.
- Did you know that the number of Oreos in packages varies?! Regular Oreos used to have 45 cookies in each package, now I think it’s 36. Double Stuf has 30.
You’ll use 24 Oreos on top of the brownie batter, then 6 crushed Oreos in the cookies & cream buttercream frosting.
If you love baking with Oreos, try my recipes for Oreo cookie crust, cookies & cream Oreo cupcakes, cookies and cream cookies, cookies and cream cake, Oreo balls, and cookies and cream pie next!
Cookies & Cream Buttercream Frosting
Legit tastes like the filling of an Oreo cookie. You’ll need butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, a little milk, and 6 crushed Oreos. A pinch of salt helps offset the sweetness. Have you truly ever seen a more perfect sight? Forget the brownies, eat this with a spoon instead.
Chocolate Topping
This chocolate topping is chocolate ganache kicked up a notch. Made from just chocolate and butter, this thick chocolate layer firms up like a dream. It’s not sticky, but it’s still soft enough for cutting through. Speaking of cutting through layered brownies… things can get a little messy, but I have some tips for you in my recipe notes.
Christmas Cookies & Cream Brownies
‘Tis the season and if you want a festive version of these cookies & cream brownies to serve alongside your Christmas cookies, I have a few ideas up my sleeve:
- Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the brownie batter
- OR add 3/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the cookies and cream buttercream
- Use mint Oreos instead!
- Top chocolate with crushed candy canes or red/green sprinkles
Or even add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the brownie batter and 1/2 teaspoon to the buttercream. Always use peppermint extract sparingly because it’s a fine line between delicious peppermint flavor and… toothpaste flavor.
And for Valentine’s Day, try my red velvet Oreo brownies!
Cookies & Cream Brownies
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours, 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies
- Category: Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These cookies & cream brownies areย brownie sky-scrapers! They have 4 equally indulgentย layers including homemade brownies, Oreos, cookies & cream buttercream frosting, and smooth chocolate ganache. Over-the-top in the best way.
Ingredients
Brownies
- homemade brownies batter OR 1 9×13-inch pan brownie batter
- 24ย Oreosย (I use Double-Stuf Oreos)
Cookies & Cream Buttercream
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups (360g)ย confectioners’ sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 whole Oreos, chopped (about 3/4 cup, or 70g)
- pinch of salt
Chocolate Topping
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter
- 1 heaping cup (around 200g) semi-sweet chocolate chips*
Instructions
- Brownies: Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (177ยฐC). Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the finished brownies out (makes cutting easier!). Set aside.
- Prepare brownie batter. Spread into prepared baking pan. My batter for homemade brownies is very thick, so do your best to spread it to the edges. Doesn’t have to be perfectly neat. Press 24 Oreos down into the top of the brownie batter; you want 6 rows of 4 Oreos.
- Bake for 32 minutes, then test the brownies with a toothpick. Insert it into the center of the pan. If it comes out with wet batter, the brownies are not done. If there are only a few moist crumbs, the brownies are done. Keep checking every 2 minutes until you have moist crumbs. My homemade brownies with Oreos on top take about 35 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely in the pan. Once cool,ย lift the parchment paper out of the pan using the overhang on the sides. Do not cut into squares yet. (TIP: It’s helpful to place the whole slab of brownies (parchment paper still underneath) on a baking sheet because you will need to chill the layers. The baking sheet makes transporting to the refrigerator easier!)
- Cookies & cream buttercream:ย With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 2 full minutes. With a spoon or rubber spatula, fold in the chopped Oreos. Taste. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. I like adding 1/8 teaspoon salt. Spread buttercream on top of cooled brownies. Chill uncovered for 30 minutes and up to 1 day in the refrigerator.
- Chocolate topping: Cut the butter into a few pieces and place in a small saucepan with the chocolate chips. Melt the two together on low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and combined. You can also use the microwaveโstop and stir every 20 seconds until melted and smooth.
- Pour chocolate on top of the buttercream. Spread all over the top in an even layer. Allow chocolate to set at room temperature for a few hours or in the refrigerator for 1 hour before slicing and serving. See recipe notes for my tips for cutting neat brownie squares.
- Cover and store leftover brownies in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: You can bake the brownie layer (steps 1โ4) in advance. Cover cooled brownies tightly and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter before continuing with the recipe. You can also prepare the buttercream up to 3 days in advance: cover tightly and store in the refrigerator. You can apply the buttercream layer to the brownies up to 1 day in advance, see step 5. Assembled brownies, after chocolate has set, can be frozen up to 3 months. (Can be frozen as a whole pan or frozen as individual squares.) Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 9×13-inch Baking Pan | Parchment Paper | Wire Rack | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Offset Spatula | Small Saucepan or Glass Measuring Cup (for melting chocolate)
- Chocolate Chips: Myย homemade brownies include chocolate chips. They’re optional, but add wonderful texture to the brownie layer.
- Chocolate: You can use 6 ounces of chopped semi-sweet chocolate instead of the chocolate chips in the chocolate layer. I recommend using 1 and 1/2 Bakers or Ghirardelli brand 4-ounce chocolate baking bars.
- Tips for Cutting Layered Brownies:ย (1) wait until the chocolate topping sets completely, (2) make very quick cuts, (3) use aย very sharp large knife, and (4) wipe the knife offย with a clean paper towel or kitchen towel between cuts.
- 9-inch Pan of Brownies:ย Use my chewy fudgy frosted brownies recipe, top with 16 Oreos, and bake for around 30 minutes. Halve all the ingredients in the cookies & cream buttercream and chocolate topping layers.
- Try Cream Cheese Frosting: A delicious variation is to skip the cookies & cream buttercream and ganache and frost the Oreo-topped cooled brownies with cream cheese frosting.
Reader Comments and Reviews
These brownies really have the “WOW” factor. There are several steps but each one is easy. I think kids would like to help make these.
Hi,
I want to make this, but I only have 27 Oreos. Can I do the Oreos in a 4 by 5 pattern for the brownie part? I don’t want to decrease the amount of Oreos in the frosting.
Absolutely!