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stack of 3 homemade Oreos on blue linen.

Homemade Oreos

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 28 reviews
  • Author: Sally
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours (includes cooling)
  • Yield: 20-21 sandwich cookies
  • Category: Cookies
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Originally published on my website in 2013, my homemade version of store-bought Oreo cookies feature two dark cocoa cookies with a sweet cream filling. With only 10 minutes of dough-chilling time and no rolling pin required, making a batch of these iconic sandwich cookies from scratch is quicker and easier than you think!


Ingredients

Oreos

  • 1 and 1/4 cups (156g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/2 cup (41g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder (see Note if using natural cocoa)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cream Filling

  • 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (48g) vegetable shortening, room temperature
  • 1 and 3/4 cups (210g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Make the cookies: Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
  2. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until combined and creamed, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and beat on low speed until a thick dough forms.
  3. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Roll the dough into small balls, 2 teaspoons or 13–15g of dough each. Place the cookie dough balls on the lined baking sheets, and feel free to squeeze as many as you can onto one (since you’re refrigerating these and may not have space in your refrigerator for multiple baking sheets). Using the flat bottom of a measuring cup or drinking cup, flatten the balls into discs that are about 1.5 inches in diameter (doesn’t need to be exact). Place the baking sheet(s) in the refrigerator for just 10 minutes to help set the cookies’ shape.
  4. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
  5. Space the cold flattened cookies out to be 3 inches apart on the baking sheets. There will be a couple batches of these cookies, so keep the shaped cookies in the refrigerator while the first batches bake. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges appear set and the tops are slightly cracking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. While the cookies are cooling, make the filling: In a small bowl using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and shortening together on high speed until totally combined and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 1 minute and then switch to high and beat for 1–2 more minutes until creamy and combined. The filling is very thick.
  7. Spread or pipe the cream filling on the bottom sides of half of the cookies. I usually use Wilton piping tip #12. Sandwich the remaining unfrosted cookies on top of the cream filling, pressing down gently.
  8. Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

  1. Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Cream filling can be made ahead up to 2–3 days ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate, and then bring to room temperature before using on the cookies. Filled cookie sandwiches freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, if desired, before serving. I don’t recommend freezing the cookie dough, because even after thawing, the cookies won’t flatten out very much.
  2. Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Baking Sheets | Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Paper | Cooling Rack | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) and Wilton Piping Tip #12 (if piping filling)
  3. Dutch-Process Cocoa vs. Natural Cocoa: For the darkest color and best cocoa flavor, use Dutch-process cocoa powder. If you make these with natural cocoa, the cookies will rise more, so they will be puffier. You will also lose some of the flavor, and the cookies will be lighter in color. For best results that look and taste more like Oreo cookies, I recommend Dutch-process cocoa. I usually use Ghirardelli brand, this from NuNaturals, this from Rodelle, or this Dutched/black cocoa blend from King Arthur Baking. You could also plain black cocoa, which is heavily Dutched/extra-alkalized cocoa. I really like this brand.
  4. Shortening: Using half butter and half shortening in the filling creates a flavorful cream that’s sturdy, thick, and not overly rich. It’s more comparable to the store-bought filling. If you prefer to skip the shortening, replace with butter (use 113g/8 Tbsp of butter total). The filling won’t taste as similar to the packaged kind.
  5. Mint Cream Filling: When you add the vanilla extract to the cream filling, also add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and 2 drops of liquid or gel green food coloring.
  6. Be sure to check out my top 5 cookie baking tips AND these are my 10 must-have cookie baking tools.