Irresistible Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies: Your Ultimate Guide to Homemade Delight
Prepare to fall in love with these utterly delightful Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies! Imagine two soft, chewy, rich chocolate oatmeal cookies embracing a cloud of silky, sweet chocolate buttercream frosting. These aren’t just cookies; they’re an experience – a perfect harmony of texture and flavor that will transport you straight back to childhood, but with a decadent chocolate twist. Forget store-bought, because once you taste these homemade cookie sandwiches, you’ll never go back!
While we cherish the classic Oatmeal Cream Pies, the idea of a chocolate version was simply too tempting to resist. And let us tell you, the result is absolutely phenomenal! These chocolate cookie sandwiches offer the ultimate indulgence – a guilt-free way to enjoy two cookies at once, complete with a generous layer of luscious chocolate frosting. They’re a fantastic treat for any occasion, from cozy family gatherings to impressing guests at a potluck. The rich cocoa notes perfectly complement the wholesome oats, creating a deeply satisfying dessert that’s both comforting and exciting.
Crafting Your Own Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies: A Simple Pleasure
Making Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies is a rewarding process that begins with crafting the perfect chocolate oatmeal cookies. These cookies are a revelation in themselves – soft, tender, and bursting with chocolate flavor thanks to the cocoa and rolled oats. It’s a wonder why more people haven’t discovered the magic of chocolate paired with oats in a cookie! Once baked and cooled, these incredible cookies are ready to be transformed into irresistible sandwiches. The filling is a dream: a velvety chocolate buttercream made with cocoa powder, softened butter, and powdered sugar. Simply pipe or spread this delightful frosting between two cookies, and voilà – you have the best cookie sandwich imaginable, ready to be devoured.
Secrets to Baking the Best Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Achieving cookie perfection doesn’t require a culinary degree, but a few key kitchen items and techniques can truly elevate your baking game. These are the tools and tips we swear by, not just for these Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies, but for almost any cookie recipe you’ll ever make. They make the process smoother, cleaner, and ensure consistently fantastic results.
Essential Baking Tools for Cookie Success
- Lining Your Cookie Sheets: This is a non-negotiable step for us! Lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat is a game-changer. These liners ensure your cookies bake evenly without sticking, which means no more scraping and no messy cleanup from spraying oil. They’re readily available in sizes that perfectly fit standard cookie sheets and are reusable if you opt for silicone mats. The non-stick surface prevents burnt bottoms and promotes even browning, crucial for that perfect chewy texture.
- The Power of a Mixer: While a hand mixer certainly does the trick, a stand mixer like a KitchenAid is an invaluable investment for any baker. It effortlessly creams butter and sugars, incorporates ingredients thoroughly, and saves your arms from fatigue. The cookie paddle attachment ensures uniform mixing, leading to a consistent dough texture every time. If baking is a frequent hobby, adding a stand mixer to your wish list will revolutionize your kitchen experience.
- The Magic of a Cookie Scoop: For years, many of us struggled with two spoons, resulting in irregularly shaped cookies of varying sizes. The secret to perfectly uniform cookies? A cookie scoop! These handy gadgets come in various sizes (1/2 tablespoon, 1.5 tablespoon, and 3 tablespoon) and guarantee that each cookie is precisely the same size. This consistency is not just for aesthetics; it ensures even baking, so all your cookies are done at the same time. For oatmeal cookies, we typically use the medium-sized scoop.
General Cookie Baking Tips
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly, creating an emulsified batter that holds air, resulting in a lighter, more tender cookie.
- Quality Matters: Use good quality ingredients, especially for vanilla extract and cocoa powder, as they significantly impact the flavor.
- Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended): For even thicker, chewier cookies, chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour (or even overnight) can prevent spreading and deepen the flavors.
- Know Your Oven: Ovens can vary. An oven thermometer can help you ensure your oven is truly at the temperature you set it to. This prevents under or over-baking.
Key Ingredients for Unforgettable Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies
Every delicious recipe starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital for achieving those perfect chewy chocolate oatmeal cookies and the luscious buttercream filling.
For the Irresistible Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies:
- Butter (1 cup/2 sticks): Always start with softened, room-temperature butter. It creams beautifully with sugar, creating air pockets that contribute to the cookies’ light and tender texture.
- Brown Sugar (3/4 cup): Light brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor, and contributes significantly to the chewy texture of the cookies. Ensure it’s soft and fresh for the best results.
- Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): This provides sweetness and helps with the spread and slight crispness around the edges of your cookies.
- Eggs (2 large): Eggs act as a binder, holding all the ingredients together and providing structure. They also add richness and moisture.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A staple in most baked goods, vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and complexity to the chocolate. Opt for a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best taste.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): The foundation of our cookies, all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure. While cake flour can work, all-purpose flour gives the ideal balance of chewiness and tenderness.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/4 cup): This is where the rich chocolate flavor comes from! Use good quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a deep, authentic chocolate taste.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): This leavening agent reacts with acidic ingredients (like brown sugar and cocoa, if it’s natural cocoa) to help the cookies rise and become tender. Always check that your baking soda isn’t old or expired for optimal results.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A small amount of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cookies. Don’t skip it!
- Rolled Oats (3 cups): Old-fashioned rolled oats are the star here, providing that classic chewy oatmeal cookie texture. Quick oats can be used in a pinch, but be aware that the texture of your cookies will be noticeably softer and less chewy.
For the Silky Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
- Butter (1 cup/2 sticks): Just like for the cookies, softened butter is essential for a smooth and creamy frosting. It forms the rich base of the buttercream.
- Powdered Sugar (3 cups): Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this provides the bulk of the sweetness and creates the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the frosting. Sift it if clumpy for an extra silky finish.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (1/4 cup): This infuses the buttercream with its delectable chocolate flavor.
- Milk (approx. 3 tablespoons): Used to thin out the frosting and achieve the perfect spreadable or pipeable consistency. Start with a smaller amount and add more gradually until you reach your desired texture.
How to Create Your Own Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to bake a batch of incredibly delicious Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies that will impress everyone!
Prepping for Success:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup. Set the prepared baking sheet aside while you make your dough.
MAKE THE CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, using either a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale.
- Add the two large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Continue to beat the mixture for another 3 minutes until it’s smooth and well combined. This ensures proper aeration for a tender cookie.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Gently fold in the rolled oats until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop (we recommend a 1.5-tablespoon size for uniform cookies) or your hands, form the dough into approximately 1-inch balls. Place them on your prepared cookie sheet, ensuring they are about 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading during baking.
- Bake for 10 minutes. The cookies will look soft when you remove them, but they will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake!
- Immediately transfer the baked cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool on the rack prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom and helps them set.
WHIP UP THE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FILLING:
- In a clean mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Start on low speed to prevent a cloud of powdered sugar, then gradually increase to medium-high.
- Add the milk, starting with 2 tablespoons, and beat until the frosting is smooth, light, and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add the remaining tablespoon of milk, or more, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. The goal is a spreadable yet firm frosting that holds its shape.
ASSEMBLE THE COOKIE SANDWICHES:
- Once your chocolate oatmeal cookies are completely cooled, it’s time for assembly! Take half of the cookies and turn them bottom-side up.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or simply a knife or small offset spatula), spread a generous dollop of chocolate buttercream frosting onto the flat bottom of each cookie.
- Carefully place another cooled cookie on top, pressing down gently to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies and frosting.
- Your homemade Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies are now ready to be enjoyed!
Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies
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Ingredients
For the Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies:
- 1 cup butter softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup butter softened to room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons milk (plus more as needed)
Instructions
Preparation:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
Make the Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies:
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In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in the vanilla extract and beat for another 3 minutes.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the rolled oats.
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Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form 1-inch dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
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Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
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In a clean mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Add milk (starting with 2 tbsp) and beat until smooth and fluffy, adding more milk if needed for desired consistency.
Assemble the Cookie Sandwiches:
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Once cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe frosting onto the flat bottom of half the cookies. Place another cookie on top to create a sandwich. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Storing Your Delicious Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies
Once assembled, these delightful Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies are best stored in an airtight container. They will maintain their freshness and deliciousness for up to 4-5 days at room temperature, provided your home is cool. However, if your house is on the warmer side, the buttercream frosting might become too soft. In such cases, or if you simply want to extend their shelf life, refrigerating them is a great option.
When storing in the refrigerator, they can last even longer. A little trick: tuck them away in the very back of the fridge, as colder spots can help maintain their quality. If you do refrigerate them, we highly recommend taking them out an hour or two before serving. The cookies and frosting will soften slightly, bringing them back to that ideal chewy, creamy texture, making them much more enjoyable at room temperature than straight out of the cold fridge.
Common Baking Questions & Troubleshooting
Even seasoned bakers encounter hiccups. Here are some common questions and solutions to ensure your Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies turn out perfectly every time.
Why Do My Oatmeal Cookies Burn on the Bottom But Aren’t Done in the Middle?
This is a common issue, and it’s usually related to your baking sheet! Dark-colored cookie sheets tend to absorb and retain more heat, causing the bottoms of your baked goods to brown too quickly or even burn before the centers are fully cooked. Using an excessive amount of cooking spray can also contribute to this problem. To remedy this, we strongly recommend using lighter-colored, non-stick baking pans. These distribute heat more evenly, preventing scorching. Better yet, as mentioned in our baking tips, invest in silicone baking mats. They create a perfect non-stick surface, promote even baking, and cookies simply glide off the tray without any sticking whatsoever!
How Do You Soften Butter Quickly and Correctly?
Softened butter is key for many baking recipes, especially cookies and buttercream, as it creams with sugar to create a light, airy mixture. The best way to soften butter is to leave it at room temperature for an hour or two. However, if you’re short on time, your microwave’s defrost function is a fantastic shortcut. If you need a full stick (1/2 cup) of butter, you can often leave it in its wrapper. For smaller amounts, place the butter in a microwave-safe glass or porcelain bowl. Use the lowest defrost setting on your microwave and start with short bursts, around 10-20 seconds. After each interval, check the butter’s softness by gently pressing it with a rubber scraper. It should indent easily but not be melted. If it’s still too firm, continue in 5-10 second increments. Watch it very closely, as butter can go from perfectly softened to melted very quickly!
My Cookies Are Spreading Too Much / Are Too Flat!
This can happen for a few reasons: your butter might have been too warm (partially melted), you might have over-creamed the butter and sugar (incorporating too much air), your oven might not be at the correct temperature (an oven thermometer helps!), or your flour-to-fat ratio might be off. Chilling your dough for at least 30 minutes can significantly help prevent spreading.
My Cookies Are Dry or Crumbly!
Overbaking is the most common culprit for dry cookies. Remember that cookies continue to bake slightly even after they’re removed from the oven. Remove them when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look a little soft. They will firm up as they cool. Too much flour can also lead to a dry, cakey texture, so ensure accurate measuring, preferably by weight.
Can I Use Quick Oats Instead of Rolled Oats?
While old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best chewy texture for these cream pies, quick oats can be used as a substitute. Just be aware that quick oats are cut into smaller pieces and cook faster, so your cookies will likely have a softer, less chewy texture. The flavor will still be delicious, but the mouthfeel will be different.
Can These Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies Be Made Ahead?
Absolutely! You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen dough in the fridge overnight before baking. The buttercream frosting can also be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge; just re-whip it with a splash of milk if needed to restore its fluffy consistency before assembling. Baked cookies can also be frozen unfrosted for up to a month in an airtight container.
More Irresistible Oatmeal Cookie Recipes!
If you love the comforting taste of oatmeal in your cookies, you’ll adore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:
- Fudgy Oatmeal Cookie Bars
- Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies (the classic version!)
- White Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Classic Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
- Microwave Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Toffee Oatmeal Cookies
- Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best Monster Cookies (packed with oatmeal!)
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies
There’s nothing quite like the joy of baking and sharing homemade treats, especially when those treats become part of cherished family memories. Just recently, my little girl had her first Christmas preschool program, and it was the absolute cutest! The whole theme was about Curious George’s Christmas, and the children sang the most adorable songs. I admit, I was a little nervous about Miss B having to say her line, as she can sometimes get shy. But to my delight, she stepped right up to the microphone and delivered her part loud and clear for everyone to hear. And as a wonderful surprise, all the kids even got a special visit from Mrs. Claus! Those are the moments that make all the effort in the kitchen worthwhile – creating sweet memories, one delicious cookie at a time.
So, whether you’re recreating a cherished classic with a twist or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy two cookies at once, these Chocolate Oatmeal Cream Pies are your answer. They are truly the perfect cookie sandwiches, combining soft, chewy chocolate oatmeal cookies with a simple yet heavenly chocolate buttercream frosting. Get baking and enjoy every decadent bite!
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