I’m a big fan of Oreos – have you figured that out yet? Maybe it was the Oreo Cheesecake Layer Cake, Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, Oreo Cake Pops, Cookies and Cream Cookies, Oreo Popcorn, or Cookies and Cream PB Blondies that tipped you off? I’ve made Homemade Oreos before, a Thomas Keller recipe that’s been passed around the blogosphere like wildfire, but I wasn’t too crazy about the results. They were yummy, but didn’t really match the famous sandwich cookie quite right in taste or texture. So when my BFF Kori suggested we make a homemade version of one of Nabisco’s newest flavor – cookie dough – I was excited to try again and make an Oreo at home. As if Oreo’s couldn’t get any better (tripled stuf perhaps?), they went and added cookie dough!
Since Kori is vegan and cookie dough and chocolate sandwich cookies are easily made animal-free by swapping butter for a vegan shortening (we used this kind), these cookies are just as good vegan or not. You’re going to want egg-free cookie dough either way, so it’s all just in the type of butter or butter substitute you use. The texture was crunchy and crumbly just like storebought Oreos with a deep chocolate flavor from the whole cup of cocoa powder. And stuffed with as much cookie dough as we could fit, they were what childhood dreams are made of. We would know – we’ve been friends almost 26 years! And yes, the milk below was almond milk, so Kori had her fix too :)
It’s always fun to realize that classic desserts can easily be made vegan and enjoyed regardless of dietary preference, but I guess if you’re Paleo or Atkins that doesn’t really apply here. I’ve made some great vegan recipes – Cookie Dough Truffles, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Mocha Cupcakes, and Kori’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies are absolutely to die for. Before you know it you won’t miss your eggs or butter at all. Although we’re still on the quest for the perfect homemade vegan brownie, we’ve definitely got a list of fantastic cookies in our repertoires. Baking together was such a blast, as was taking the photos and sharing food blogging stories – there’s so much to learn from each other! Be sure to check out her blog, and stay tuned for those brownies…
Vegan Cookie Dough Oreos
Cookie recipe adapted from The Sweet Life
Yield: 20 sandwich cookies
Ingredients:
for the vegan oreo cookies:
1 cup vegan butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/4 cup flour
for the cookie dough filling:
2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 cup vegan butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup soy or almond milk
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
Directions:
for the vegan oreo cookies:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the vegan butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla and continue to beat.
With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour and beat until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Transfer the dough onto a piece of parchment or wax paper and knead it a few times to bring completely together (the dough will start out crumbly). Once dough is soft, top with another piece of parchment paper and roll out 1/8-1/4" thick.
Use a 2” cookie cutter to cut out approximately 40 rounds. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets about 1" apart. Knead excess dough back together and roll out once more, working to cut out as many cookies as possible. Before baking, place cookie sheet in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
Remove chilled cookies and bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to chill for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
for the cookie dough filling:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the vegan butter and sugars for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and soy/almond milk and beat for another few minutes until well incorporated. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour until just combined. With a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped chocolate until evenly distributed.
Have you tried coconut or almond flour on these cookies? (Cookie dough Oreo)
Erica — April 14th, 2014 @ 11:00 am
I haven’t tried almond flour so I’m not sure. But here’s a link to another blog that’s done it: http://mywholefoodlife.com/2014/01/07/gluten-free-homemade-oreos/ I can’t promise that the recipe is good since I haven’t tried it, but just wanted to offer an alternative for you!
Could you make these Gluten Free? If so, what would you suggest?
Erica — April 14th, 2014 @ 11:00 am
Like I said above, here’s a GF recipe from another blog: http://mywholefoodlife.com/2014/01/07/gluten-free-homemade-oreos/ Worth a try, let me know how they are!
Could you use coconut oil instead of butter? (In a gf version? )
Erica — April 14th, 2014 @ 11:01 am
Not sure since I only tried with vegan butter but in the link above that blogger does use coconut oil so you could check it out!
im wondering the same thing about these cookies lol I need them GF also and am not sure what vegan butter is made of so want to substitute with coconut oil… ( which is insanely amazingly great for your body inside and out) ?? do these cookies need to raise? because if so then you could probably just substitute the all purpose Flour with GF flour right? lol I guess some confirmation is what im looking for.
Erica — April 14th, 2014 @ 11:02 am
The cookies don’t need to rise so I’m thinking you could just swap out the flour type. I can’t say for sure but worth a try! Good luck :)
and for the filling is it 3/4 a cup or tablespoons???
Erica — April 14th, 2014 @ 11:03 am
3/4 a cup – just made the correction, sorry about that!
also, sorry It is not clear on the filling part once you have set aside the flour and salt. when do you add it?????
Erica — April 14th, 2014 @ 11:03 am
Added that part to the recipe as well – I apologize for obviously being in a hurry when I posted the recipe!! Should be good now :)
Hi,
Do these cookie have to keep in frigde always or can we leave in room temperature or in a container ?
How long can this cookie last expire ?
Thnaks you