Milk's Favorite Cookie

Ah, the Oreo.  It's one of those snacks that I intentionally don't buy often because I know I'll eat too many. Yes, it's irresistible, but did you know that it's also versatile?  For example, Oreos make for fantastic baking.  Today, I'd like to share with you a couple of my favorite examples.

Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes (adapted from Martha Stewart)

True story: I once had someone request that I make these...because she had been dreaming about them.

Ingredients

• 1 box of Oreos.  Leave 24 whole, and crush up the remaining 18.
• 2# cream cheese (4 of those 8oz packages), room temperature
• 1 c sugar
• 1 t vanilla
• 4 large eggs
• 1 c sour cream, room temperature
• pinch of salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 275.  Line cupcake tins with paper liners.  Place one Oreo in the bottom of each.

Beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add sugar, vanilla, and eggs one at a time.  Add sour cream and salt.  Scrape down the edges of the bowl as needed.

Stir in crumbled Oreos.

Fill cupcake liners with batter.  Don't worry about leaving room at the top like you would for regular cupcakes...these are cheesecakes and won't rise the same way, so fill that baby up!

Bake 20-22 minutes until set.  Cool to room temperature, then place in refrigerator.  Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

My other favorite Oreo recipe is easier, but messier.  I recently made a bunch of these and sent them to some of my BFFs who are currently studying for the Bar.  I also gave some to some of our favorite couple friends as a housewarming present, as they recently became homeowners; and I also sent some to my sister because she's awesome.  The consensus?  Four out of four households agree: best present ever.

Brownie-Covered Oreos (adapted from Picky Palate)

Ingredients

• 1 box Oreos
• 1 box brownie mix
• the ingredients that the brownie mix box tells you to have (usually eggs, oil, and water)
• store-bought white writing icing (told ya it was easy!)
• cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray cupcake tins liberally.  Seriously.

Mix brownie batter according to box directions.

Coat Oreos in batter, one at a time.  You can probably put together some kind of fancy system using a ladle, but you may have to use your hands depending on the viscosity of your batter.  Yes, I just used the word "viscosity" in a sentence.  What?!  Baking is just chemistry! #nerd

Place in cupcake tins and bake for about 10-12 minutes.  Keep your eye on it; these guys are thin and will cook quickly!

Run a knife along the edges of the brownies immediately after removing from the oven.  Cool for 2 minutes, then remove from tins completely.

After cooling for another 5 minutes, decorate!  I used white icing to draw squiggles (then spirals one the squiggles started to look too much like EKGs...I need a vacation), but you can be as creative as you'd like!

I also made a Freekware symbol...which is probably better in icing form than ones I've drawn by hand.  Figures.

Place in a tin with wax paper and a cute tag, and they're ready for gifting!

What's your favorite Oreo recipe?