Easy Homemade Golden Oreo Cookies: The Ultimate Cake Mix Recipe for Soft, Sweet Sandwich Delights

Craving the iconic taste of Golden Oreos but want that homemade touch? Look no further! This incredibly simple recipe for Homemade Golden Oreo Cookies uses a convenient yellow cake mix as its base, resulting in delightfully soft, perfectly sweet, and utterly irresistible sandwich cookies. Prepare for these golden beauties to disappear faster than you can say “Oreo!”

This Golden Oreo cookie recipe is a true baking revelation, streamlining the process thanks to a boxed cake mix for the cookie rounds and a lush, simple cream cheese frosting for the filling. You can enjoy these homemade Oreos any day of the week, as they come together remarkably quickly, making them perfect for last-minute cravings or spontaneous baking sessions. Get ready to elevate your cookie game with minimal effort and maximum flavor!

Why Make Your Own Golden Oreos? The Joy of Homemade Treats!

My family, myself included, are enormous fans of Oreo cookies. They are a constant presence in our pantry – and often, our freezer! (Seriously, if you haven’t tried frozen Oreos, you’re missing out on a delightful experience.) I like to think my deep affection for these classic sandwich cookies was inherited from my grandpa; they were always his favorite after-dinner indulgence. I cherish vivid memories of visiting him and my grandma, where a plate of Oreos was inevitably passed around after every meal, marking a sweet end to our time together.

As an enthusiastic baker and a connoisseur of all things sweet, creating a homemade version of the iconic Golden Oreo became a personal mission. It had to be a straightforward recipe, given how quickly these cookies are devoured, so a complicated process was out of the question. The brilliant shortcut of using a boxed cake mix for the cookie dough simplifies everything, transforming this into an accessible and enjoyable baking project for anyone. This method allows you to achieve that perfect soft, chewy cookie texture and a delightful golden hue without the fuss of measuring multiple dry ingredients from scratch. The rich, creamy homemade cream cheese frosting completes the experience, making these DIY Golden Oreos even more special than their store-bought counterparts. Give them a try today; you’ll be amazed at how utterly delicious and satisfying these cake mix Golden Oreos truly are!

Pro Tips for Making Perfect Homemade Golden Oreo Cookies Every Time!

Even with a simple cake mix base, a few expert tips can elevate your homemade cookies from good to absolutely phenomenal. Follow these guidelines to ensure your Golden Oreo sandwich cookies are consistently perfect:

1. Utilize an Electric Mixer for Uniformity. While you can mix by hand, an electric mixer truly makes a difference in achieving a consistent, smooth dough and a light, airy frosting. Whether it’s a trusty handheld mixer or a powerful stand mixer (my personal preference for ease), even mixing is key to tender cookies.
2. Cream Butter & Sugars for an Extended Period. Don’t rush this crucial step, especially if you’re making the frosting from scratch. When creaming butter and powdered sugar for the filling, allow it to mix for 2-3 minutes. This incorporates air, resulting in a wonderfully fluffy, rich, and creamy frosting that’s perfect for your homemade Golden Oreos.
3. Always Preheat Your Oven. Baking success often starts with a properly preheated oven. Giving your oven ample time to reach and stabilize at the correct temperature ensures your cookies bake evenly and consistently every single time, preventing uneven browning or undercooked centers.
4. Invest in Cookie Scoops for Precision. If you desire uniform, perfectly shaped cookies, a cookie scoop is an indispensable tool. It helps you portion out equal amounts of dough, ensuring all your cookie rounds are the same size, which leads to even baking and beautiful cookie sandwiches.
5. Prevent Sticking with Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats. Nothing is more frustrating than cookies sticking to the pan. To guarantee easy release and perfectly intact cookies, always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a reusable silicone baking mat. Your cookies will slide right off, maintaining their delightful shape.
6. Resist Overbaking. This is perhaps the most critical tip for soft, chewy cookies. It’s better to take your cookies out of the oven slightly earlier than to overbake them. They might not look completely “done” on top, but if the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden color and the bottoms are set, they are ready. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, ensuring a perfectly soft interior.

Essential Ingredients for Your Golden Oreo Creation

Crafting these delectable cake mix Golden Oreo cookies requires just a few key ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the use of shortcuts that don’t compromise on flavor or texture. Here’s what you’ll need for both the golden cookie wafers and the rich cream cheese filling:

For the Golden Cookie Dough:

• Yellow Cake Mix: The star of our shortcut! You’ll need one standard 15.25-ounce box of butter yellow cake mix. Any reputable brand will yield excellent results and contribute to that classic golden flavor.
• Eggs: Two large eggs, preferably at room temperature, are essential binders that bring the cookie dough together and contribute to its structure and moisture.
• Vegetable Oil: Half a cup of vegetable oil provides the necessary fat content, ensuring the cookie dough remains wonderfully moist and the baked cookies are tender and soft.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting Filling:

• Unsalted Butter: A quarter cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, forms the rich base of our creamy filling. Room temperature butter is crucial for a smooth, lump-free frosting.
• Cream Cheese: Four ounces of cream cheese, also softened to room temperature, is what gives our frosting its signature tangy, creamy texture, mimicking the beloved Oreo filling.
• Vanilla Extract: One teaspoon of pure vanilla extract enhances all the sweet and creamy flavors in the frosting, adding a comforting aromatic depth.
• Powdered Sugar: Two cups of powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) are needed to sweeten the frosting to perfection and give it the smooth, pipeable consistency required for beautiful sandwich cookies.

How to Make Golden Oreos with a Cake Mix: A Step-by-Step Guide

Get ready to create some magic in your kitchen! This process is designed for ease and enjoyment, ensuring you have delicious homemade Golden Oreo cookies in no time.

Creating the Cookie Dough

First, begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, prepare two baking sheets by lining them with either parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures your cookies lift off the pan effortlessly. Set them aside.

Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until a cohesive dough forms. It’s important to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated and there are no dry pockets of cake mix remaining. The dough will be soft and pliable.

Now, for an optional but highly recommended step: cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and significantly reducing the likelihood of your cookies spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain a lovely round shape.

Baking the Golden Wafers

Once your dough is nicely chilled, retrieve it from the fridge. Using a small cookie scoop (a 1-tablespoon size is ideal for perfect mini Golden Oreo cookies) or two spoons, drop uniform balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure to space them a few inches apart to allow for slight spreading during the baking process.

Place the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 8-9 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; the cookies are done when the edges are just set and lightly golden, even if the centers still look a little soft. Remember, slight underbaking is preferable to overbaking for a chewier texture. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This allows them to firm up before you transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Ensure they are fully cooled before proceeding to the frosting stage.

Preparing the Cream Cheese Frosting Filling

While your golden cookie wafers are baking and cooling, you can efficiently prepare the luscious cream cheese frosting. In a medium mixing bowl, using a handheld electric mixer (or a stand mixer), beat the softened butter and cream cheese together. Continue beating until the mixture is beautifully smooth and creamy, with no lumps of butter or cream cheese visible. This usually takes 2-3 minutes.

Next, add the vanilla extract to the butter and cream cheese mixture and mix again until it is well combined, ensuring the vanilla essence is evenly distributed throughout.

Finally, gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, to the mixture. Start on a low speed to prevent a cloud of sugar from forming, then increase to medium. Beat thoroughly after each addition until all the sugar has been incorporated and the frosting is smooth, thick, and perfectly creamy. The frosting should be firm enough to hold its shape when piped or spread.

Assembling Your Golden Oreo Sandwich Cookies

The moment of truth! Once your golden cookie wafers have completely cooled to room temperature, it’s time to assemble your homemade treats. You can use a piping bag fitted with a round tip for a professional look, or simply an icing spatula or a small knife for spreading the frosting.

Take one cooled cookie and, using your chosen method, apply a generous dollop or swirl of cream cheese frosting onto its flat bottom side. Then, gently grab another cookie and place it on top, flat side down, pressing lightly to create a delightful sandwich. Ensure the frosting is evenly distributed and reaches close to the edges.

Repeat this process with the remaining cookies and frosting until you have a tray full of charming Homemade Golden Oreo Cookies. Serve them immediately to enjoy their freshness, or store them for later. These delightful sandwich cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Storage & Freshness: How Long Do These Cookies Last?

These delightful homemade Golden Oreo cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can certainly be stored to extend their deliciousness! When stored properly, they will maintain their quality for 3-5 days at room temperature. To ensure your treats remain as fresh and soft as possible, always keep them in an airtight container or a securely sealed Ziploc bag.

Here’s a fantastic little trick I learned to keep cookies extra fresh and soft for a couple of days longer: place a piece of plain bread (like a slice of sandwich bread) in the airtight container with your cookies. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, helping them to retain their soft and chewy texture. You’ll be amazed at how well this simple trick works!

For longer storage, you can also freeze these sandwich cookies. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving for a delicious treat anytime!

Expert Tip: How Do You Soften Butter Quickly and Perfectly?

Achieving the right consistency for softened butter is crucial for both cookie dough and especially for smooth cream cheese frosting. My preferred method for softening butter quickly and evenly is using the defrost function on my microwave. Here’s how I do it:

If you need an entire ½ cup (one stick) of butter, you can often leave it in its paper wrapper. However, if you only need a portion, place the required amount of butter in a glass or porcelain bowl. Set your microwave to its lowest defrost setting and run it for just 20 seconds. After 20 seconds, check the butter’s softness by gently pressing it with a rubber scraper or your finger. It should leave an indentation without melting or becoming greasy. If it’s still too firm and doesn’t indent easily, microwave it for another 5-10 seconds, but watch it closely! Butter softens very rapidly, and you want to avoid melting it, which can negatively affect the texture of your frosting or dough.

Here’s a little peek into our adventurous family life! This photo captures my daughter and me in one of my absolute favorite places: a breathtaking canyon here in Utah. We’re riding a ski chair lift in the summer, high up at about 8,000-9,000 feet elevation. It’s always so incredibly peaceful and gorgeous up there. And sometimes, it’s even a little chilly – you can find snow on the ground year-round in some spots!

Explore More Amazing Cookie Recipes!

If you loved making these cake mix Golden Oreo cookies and are looking for more delicious baking adventures, be sure to check out some of our other fantastic cookie and cookie bar recipes:

• Fudgy Oatmeal Cookie Bars
• Sugar Cookie Bars
• No Bake Cookie Bars
• Swiss Miss Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
• S’mores Cookie Bars
• Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
• Butterfinger Cookie Bars
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
• Tagalong Cookie Bars
• Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
• Cherry Almond Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
• Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

This simple recipe for Homemade Golden Oreo Cookies, made with a convenient boxed yellow cake mix, is a true game-changer! These tender, sweet sandwich cookies, filled with luscious cream cheese frosting, are guaranteed to be a massive hit with family and friends. Bake a batch today and enjoy the taste of a beloved classic, made with love right in your own kitchen!