These Oreo cookie bars are phenomenal, if I do say so myself. Envision a homemade sugar cookie base Ioaded with crushed Oreo cookies. That’s just the bottom layer. Next comes a sweet dreamy gooey cream cheese frosting (undoubtably the best kind of frosting) and then, of course, more Oreo cookies. How long it takes: 44 minutes Equipment you’ll need: 9×13 pan, parchment paper, mixing bowl, electric mixer Servings: 20 If that doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, then I don’t know what will! These cookie bars are begging you to grab a glass of cold milk to go with them. Listen to their plea. I’ve been on a cookie bar kick lately. Don’t you just love a rich cookie base that’s simply a giant sugar cookie pressed into a pan? It can be topped with almost anything. You’ve probably had a fruit pizza: a sugar cookie base topped with a creamy layer, and then decoratively adorned with fresh fruit. If you’re in love with cookie bars like I am, try my sugar cookie bars.
About these Cookie Bars
These homemade bars consist of three layers: sugar cookie crust, cream cheese frosting, and crushed Oreos. They aren’t difficult to make but do allow time for the bottom crust to cool completely before adding the next layer. I’ll give you a few tips and hints here that will help you get started.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Oreo Cookies: You’ll load both the crust and the topping with crushed Oreos (24 of them, to be exact). That’s one of the reasons these cookies are so great — lots of Oreos, how can you go wrong? Crush the cookies in a large zip top bag with a rolling pin, meat mallet, large can or wine bottle. It’s okay if small chunks remain. All-Purpose Flour, Butter, Sugar, Egg, Vanilla Extract, Baking Powder: All the ingredients you need to make a delicious sugar cookie. Make sure you soften the butter before you get started. Cream Cheese: Choose either full-fat or reduced fat cream cheese. Nonfat cream cheese has additives and just won’t be the best to top these bars. Take the cream cheese and butter out of the fridge while your cookie base cools so everything is at room temp. Butter, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract: Again, all you need for a creamy sweet frosting. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
How To Make Cookie Bars
Let’s get started! Turn your oven on and begin by preparing a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray, place a sheet of parchment paper in the pan, leaving “wings” on the long sides for handles, and then spray it again. So spray, paper, spray! So, now that your pan is ready, and hopefully you have the butter softened (at room temp). In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until it’s nice and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and egg, and cream again until the egg is fully incorporated. Add the flour and baking powder and stir well. You’ll need a sturdy spoon and lots of arm power because the dough is pretty stiff and it’s about to get even stiffer! Here come the crushed Oreos! Stir those into your cookie dough as well as you can. Press the dough into your prepared pan firmly and evenly. Just use your fingers to pat the dough until it’s fairly smooth and covers the bottom of the pan. Bake the cookie base until it’s set in the middle and golden brown around the edges. Cool the base completely (in the pan) before adding the next layer. If the cookie layer is still warm, the frosting will just melt once it hits that warm crust and that’s a very sad thing. Okay, now the crust is cooled off, and you’re ready for the next layer. If you’ve made cream cheese frosting before, it’s pretty much the same process. In a large mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, blend together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla until the mixture is creamy. Beat in the powdered sugar until the filling is smooth and fluffy. I usually add the sugar a cup at a time so it doesn’t cloud around me in a big powdery poof. Spread the frosting on the cookie base and sprinkle a whole bunch more crushed Oreos on top. The bars are ready to cut. Serve them right away or you can refrigerate the cut bars to serve later. Hmmmm, now or later? I think you need at least a little taste test right away, don’t you? To cut the bars, use the parchment paper wings to carefully lift the bars out of the pan. Place them on a sturdy cutting surface and use a large sharp knife to cut them into nice even squares, whatever size you like. Remember, they are pretty sweet so maybe smaller pieces are better? What am I saying?! Cut them into nice big slabs if you want!
Make It Your Own
Substitute chocolate wafer cookies for the Oreos. The bars will be a little less sweet. Frosted chocolate chip cookie bars: If you’re not into Oreo cookies, substitute 2 cups mini chocolate chips for the crushed cookies. Stir one cup into the cookie dough and sprinkle one cup on top. Double chocolate Oreo cookie bars: Add a half cup of cocoa powder to the cream cheese layer, reducing the powdered sugar by a half cup. More Oreo cookie recipes: Try Oreo popcorn or easy homemade Oreo ice cream!
Storage & Freezing Tips
Refrigerate: Because of the cream cheese frosting, Oreo cookie bars should be refrigerated in a tightly covered container. They’ll keep for at least 5 days. The texture of the cookies will get a bit softer. Freeze: Store cut bars in a freezer container for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
More Bar Cookies
Bar cookies or cookie bars? Whatever you call them, they’re delicious! Here’s more recipes for you, including a few no-bake goodies:
Easiest Blondie Recipe Cake Mix Blondies – you can have these in the oven in just five minutes! Chocolate Chip Blondies – one of my most requested recipes! No Bake Peanut Butter Bars {just like Reese’s!} Fruity Pebbles No-Bake Bars The Best Rice Krispies Treats – a no-bake classic treat Easy Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe Oh Henry Bars – with nut-free option, a family favorite! Blueberry Crumb Bars
