Homemade Oreo Recipe

Homemade Oreos with Cream Cheese Frosting rolled in Holiday M&Ms for an extra seasonal flare

Over the years, I've been asked for my Homemade Oreo Recipe more times than I can count.  So much so, in fact, that I have an email draft all saved and ready to go anytime someone asks.  Why not share this secret with the world?

I had my first go at these with my friend, Jon Scott, in 2008 and have been tweaking it ever since.  At my highest, I was making three batches per week for about two years. Enjoy!

For those of you who need EXACT, overly ridiculously precise instructions, this recipe provides.

Cookies:
1 box Betty Crocker Devil's food cake mix (has to be Betty Crocker, has to be Devil's Food)
2 eggs
Whatever amount of oil the cake mix box says

Roll into quarter-sized balls and bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes
You will be able to tell if the cookies are cooked enough because they will have cracks in the top of them and when you lift the pan up and let it drop down, the cookies will sink a little.

Cream Cheese Frosting (enough for two batches):
1 stick real salted butter
1 8 oz. block cream cheese
blend until smooth
1 TBSP vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
blend until smooth
1.5 cups - 3 cups powdered sugar - this is the one where you have to trust your taste buds.  Some people like really cream-cheesey frosting, others like it very sweet.  I typically put in 2-2.5 cups.  It's up to you.  

Blend until smooth and refrigerate.
This keeps in the fridge in a sealed container until the expiration date of the cream cheese.  I usually have a tub of frosting in my fridge ready to go, that way I only have to worry about making the cookies and I can do that super fast.  

Let the cookies cool completely before you frost them.
Put however much or little frosting in the middle that you want.  I find that most people like more frosting.
Once I have them all frosted, I typically keep them refrigerated until ready to serve.  I also find that most people prefer these chilled.  

Each box of cake mix makes about 20 oreos.  That's why my frosting recipe is for a double batch - I almost always double up on the cookie recipe when I'm taking them somewhere.

If you roll the Oreos in M&Ms or other candies, simply dip the top half of one ball of dough in the topping, then bake.  Only the top half of each completed cookie needs dipped, which will help your garnish last longer.  

You can use any kind of cake mix and duplicate this recipe for a variety of flavors.

Today I Love Jon Scott

Any Fringe fans out there?  Anyone?  Anyone?! 

Cause if you are, you'll recognize this as the name of a very handsome fellow in the first few episodes.

If you aren't, you'll recognize this as the name of one of the most friendly, adventurous, caring men I know.

Memories, hmm...countless game nights, countless e-mails, an Alaskan Cruise, two year's worth of touring Broadway productions at the Capitol Theater, him choreographing a tap dance number for Nunsense, giggling at him as Collins in Price and Prejudice, many a debate about relationships, the stake musical production, St. George, the list goes on. 

Jon is actually the lucky recipient of many, many a date with Melissa.  Together, they are the creators of the game Witness Protection Program.  Groups of people all over the state gather together on a regular basis to have a fun evening of Witness.  I aspire to be as fun as these two:-)

Jon's also quite the chef, always whipping up something new in the kitchen and inviting any and all to try.  Of course, he loves to share with me because he knows I'm pretty passionate about food.  Speaking of food, Jon saw Shayla and I change our lives with a fitness program we were doing and he decided to try it out too.  He got so fit and rugged that even the men were complimenting him!

This brings me to one of the things I admire most about Jon.  He is constantly sitting back and evaluating his life position.  The minute he sees where improvement can be made, he strives for those things, whether it be physical health, spiritual health, or as simple as needing to dress a little more snazzy.  He also loves to push himself to full capacity, but he is very aware of when to say "when."  I've met many men who are so dedicated to work or their hobbies or their schooling, that they put off everything else in life - including relationships.  But Jon?  He knows that relationships are the foundation of the best things in life and the best things in eternity. 

Personality-wise, Jon is just crazy bursting with energy and excitement.  Sometimes you may sit back and think, "What?!  No way am I joining in on this..." but you just can't help but find his enthusiasm contagious.  (I think he gets a lot of this from his mom - she's stupendous!)
 
Most importantly, Jon always lets me know he thinks I'm super-cool, super-beautiful, and super-loved.

I love you, Jon!

Dancing after dinner on our Alaskan Cruise

Jon's game that shocks the last person to buzz in - clearly a HUGE party favorite - everyone is laughing!

One of my favorite stories - Don opened the bottle of Martinelli's and the top flew right into Jon's eye!  I am laughing just typing this - it was too hilarious.

My birthday party in '10

Halloween '10

Halloween '11

Observe his shirt...and the weird way he's looking at me.  Gotta love it.