Recipe: Christmas Oreo Cookies

Take homemade Christmas gifts to super-indulgence with this Oreo recipe. Chocolate sandwich cookies (large, round, thick cookies, to be exact) with double-stuffed, vanilla-flavored white cream filling. These cookies will delight everyone.

Homemade Double-Stuffed Oreos
Recipe & Images: Calamity Kate's Kitchen (Kate Kaplan) {altered version licensed under a CC BY 3.0 license}

INGREDIENTS
for the cookies
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa and if you really like the richness of the cocoa, you can add an additional 2 heaping tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature

for the double-stuffed cream filling (this is a double batch)
1 cup (2 stick) + 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons good vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
for the cookies
Set the 2 racks in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375F.

In a food processor or the bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and baking powder, salt and the sugar. On a low speed or while pulsing, add the butter and then add in the egg. Continue mixing on low until the dough comes together in a mass.

Take a rounded teaspoon of batter and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet or a Silpat, approximately two inches apart. With moistened hands, slightly flatten the cookies. I like them very flat because these cookies don't really spread to much.

Bake for 8-9 minutes, rotating once for even baking. Cool cookies for 2 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

for the double-stuffed cream filling
Place the butter and shortening in a mixing bowl and at low speed, gradually beat in the sugar and the vanilla. Turn the mixer to high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until the cream is light and fluffy.

for assembling the Oreos
I like to pair up all of the cookies so they are easy to frost. Using a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch round piping tip, pipe teaspoon-size circles in the middle of the cookies for the Oreos. Double it for double-stuffed! Place the matching cookie on top and lightly press the cookies together to spread the cream evenly.

Makes 25-30 sandwich cookies.



Adapted from Retro Desserts by Wayne Brachman.