The Ultimate Frosted Dark Chocolate Oreo Cookies: Soft, Thick, & Irresistibly Delicious with Cream Cheese Frosting
Get ready to indulge in the most decadent cookies you’ll ever bake! These **soft & thick dark chocolate Oreo cookies** are a dream come true for any chocolate lover. Featuring a rich, intensely flavored cocoa powder dough, perfectly balanced with an easy, creamy, and slightly tangy cream cheese frosting loaded with crushed Oreo pieces. This recipe elevates the classic chocolate cookie to an extraordinary dessert experience that’s perfect for parties, family treats, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.
Are you an Oreo fanatic? Do you crave rich, dark chocolate? Then prepare to fall head over heels for these amazing frosted cookies! This recipe isn’t just about making cookies; it’s about crafting a truly memorable treat that combines the deep, satisfying flavor of dark chocolate with the beloved crunch and creaminess of Oreo cookies, all tied together with a luscious cream cheese frosting. They are designed to be thick and wonderfully soft, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that will have everyone asking for more.
What makes these cookies stand out? It’s the combination of high-quality dark cocoa powder in the cookie base, which provides a deep, almost brownie-like flavor, and the perfectly sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting infused with real crushed Oreos. This creates a delightful contrast in both texture and taste, making each bite an adventure. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is straightforward and yields impressive results every time.
Why You Need to Bake These Dark Chocolate Oreo Cookies
These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a celebration of flavor and texture. Here’s why these frosted dark chocolate Oreo cookies will become a permanent fixture in your baking repertoire:
- Unbelievably Soft & Thick: We’ve perfected the dough to ensure these cookies come out wonderfully soft with a substantial, satisfying thickness. No thin, crispy cookies here!
- Intense Dark Chocolate Flavor: Using dark cocoa powder gives these cookies a deep, rich chocolate taste that’s reminiscent of a gourmet brownie.
- Easy Cream Cheese Frosting: The frosting is simple to whip up and adds a delightful tang that cuts through the richness of the chocolate cookie, creating a balanced flavor profile.
- Oreo Goodness in Every Bite: Crushed Oreos are incorporated into the frosting, providing that iconic cookie and cream flavor and a subtle textural crunch that complements the soft cookie base.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual family desserts to holiday gatherings, these cookies are always a hit and receive rave reviews.
- Visually Stunning: The striking contrast between the dark cookie and the creamy white, Oreo-speckled frosting makes them incredibly appealing.
More Thick & Soft Cookies You’ll Love:
If you’re a fan of thick, soft, and delicious cookies, you’re in for a treat! Explore these other fantastic recipes that promise a similar delightful texture:
- Frosted Birthday Cake Cookies
- Soft & Thick Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Mastering the Ingredients for Perfect Cookies
Every great recipe starts with great ingredients. For these frosted dark chocolate Oreo cookies, a few key components really shine:
- Unsalted Butter (Slightly Softened): The foundation of both the cookie dough and the frosting. Using slightly softened butter ensures it creams smoothly with sugar, creating a light and airy base for the cookie, and a silky frosting. A quick 10-second zap in the microwave for butter straight from the fridge works wonders!
- Dark Cocoa Powder (Hershey’s 100% Special Dark Recommended): This is where the magic happens for the rich chocolate flavor. Unlike regular cocoa, dark cocoa provides a deeper, less sweet, and more intense chocolate experience, giving these cookies their signature depth.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: The combination of these two sugars is crucial. Brown sugar adds moisture, chewiness, and a subtle caramel note, while granulated sugar contributes to crisp edges and overall sweetness.
- Cream Cheese (Softened): The hero of our frosting! Softened cream cheese is essential for achieving a smooth, lump-free frosting with that delightful tangy flavor that perfectly complements the dark chocolate.
- Powdered Sugar: Ensures the frosting is smooth and dissolves easily, giving it a melt-in-your-mouth texture without grittiness.
- Oreo Cookies (Crushed): The star mix-in for our frosting. Crushing them adds both flavor and texture, transforming a simple cream cheese frosting into an “Oreo cream cheese dream.”
Paying attention to the quality and state of these ingredients will truly elevate your baking experience and the final taste of your cookies. Fresh ingredients make a noticeable difference!
Frosted Chocolate Oreo Cookies
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Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) slightly softened OR straight from fridge and microwaved for 10 seconds
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder I use Hershey’s 100% Special Dark
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (half stick) slightly softened OR straight from fridge and microwaved for 10 seconds
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened (if you like a stronger cream cheese flavor, feel free to add another 2-4oz. of cream cheese!)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- 3 Oreos crushed
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick), light brown sugar (½ cup), and granulated sugar (¼ cup) on medium speed for 1 minute or until combined.
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Mix in egg (1 large), vanilla extract (2 teaspoons), baking soda (½ teaspoon), and salt (½ teaspoon). Add dark cocoa powder (⅓ cup) and all-purpose flour (1 cup) and mix until well-combined.
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Scoop dough into (6) ¼ cup sized balls (we’re making these big!) and place on parchment-lined, light metal baking sheet. (¼ cup is equal to 4 tablespoons)
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Bake at 350℉ for 14-16 minutes or until cookies no longer look doughy in the center (a tiny bit is fine, as they will continue to bake on the hot pan). Cool completely on the pan.
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Generously spread or pipe frosting on top.
To Make Frosting:
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Beat the unsalted butter (¼ cup, i.e. ½ stick), cream cheese (2 ounces), vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), and pinch of salt on high speed for 1-2 minutes until combined. Turn the mixer to low speed then slowly add the powdered sugar (1 ¼ cups). You may need to stop and scrape down the sides.
Beat on high for 1-2 minutes until creamy and the frosting is at a good consistency to pipe. If it looks too runny, add more powdered sugar. If it looks too stiff, add a tablespoon of milk until you get to the desired consistency. Fold in the crushed Oreos (3 cookies).
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Baking Tips for the Perfect Dark Chocolate Oreo Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is easier than you think with a few simple tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: While the recipe mentions microwaving cold butter for 10 seconds, true room temperature butter and cream cheese will cream together more smoothly with the sugars, creating a lighter, more uniform dough and frosting. If you forget to take them out, the microwave trick works in a pinch!
- Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour and cocoa powder, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies. We want soft and tender!
- Use a Light-Colored Baking Sheet: Darker baking sheets absorb more heat and can cause the bottoms of your cookies to brown too quickly or even burn. A light metal baking sheet will ensure even baking.
- Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes for super easy cleanup.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and thick. Baking them for 14-16 minutes is usually sufficient. They might look slightly underdone or “doughy” in the center when you pull them out, but they will continue to set as they cool on the hot baking sheet. This is the secret to their perfect chewy, soft texture!
- Giant Cookies: This recipe makes 6 large cookies. Using a ¼ cup scoop ensures uniform size and helps achieve that desirable thick cookie result. If you prefer smaller cookies, adjust baking time slightly.
Mastering the Oreo Cream Cheese Frosting
The frosting is the crowning glory of these cookies. Here’s how to ensure yours is absolutely perfect:
- Softened Cream Cheese and Butter: Just like with the cookie dough, softened ingredients are key for a smooth frosting. Cold cream cheese will result in lumps, no matter how much you beat it.
- Whip Until Fluffy: Beat the butter and cream cheese together on high speed until light and fluffy before adding the powdered sugar. This incorporates air, making the frosting light and pipeable.
- Add Powdered Sugar Slowly: To avoid a powdered sugar cloud in your kitchen, start the mixer on low speed when adding the sugar, then gradually increase to high. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure everything is well combined.
- Adjust Consistency: If your frosting is too runny (perhaps your butter was too soft), add a little more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too stiff, add a teaspoon of milk until you reach your desired consistency. You want it firm enough to hold its shape but soft enough to spread or pipe easily.
- Crushed Oreos: For the best results, finely crush your Oreos, but leave a few slightly larger pieces for texture. Fold them in gently at the end to distribute them evenly without overmixing.
Serving, Storage, and Variation Ideas
These Frosted Dark Chocolate Oreo Cookies are fantastic on their own, but here are some ideas to make them even better:
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy these giant cookies with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra decadent treat. They are also perfect for sharing at potlucks, parties, or as a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Storage: Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If refrigerating, let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best soft texture.
- Freezing: Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once cooled, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separated by parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature and then frost. The frosting can also be frozen separately for up to a month and thawed in the refrigerator.
- Variations:
- Mint Oreo Cookies: Use mint-flavored Oreos in the frosting for a refreshing twist.
- Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 2-4 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter to the cream cheese frosting for a chocolate-peanut butter delight.
- Espresso Kick: Add ½ teaspoon of espresso powder to the cookie dough to deepen the chocolate flavor even further.
- Different Toppings: Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, mini chocolate chips, or even more crushed Oreos for extra visual appeal and flavor.
Notes
Nutrition
There you have it – a comprehensive guide to baking the most delicious and satisfying Frosted Dark Chocolate Oreo Cookies. This recipe combines the best of rich chocolate, soft cookie texture, and creamy, Oreo-studded frosting into one incredible treat. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to brighten your day, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.
Don’t forget to experiment with the variations and share your creations! Your feedback helps us continue to provide amazing, free recipes. Happy baking!