Semi-Homemade Oreo Cookies

Sometimes you just have to indulge in some no-so-low calorie cookies. And if you're going to indulge, these are perfect!!! They do take a bit of time in the making, and even more time if you have little helping hands (my 2 year old) - but they are worth it! I first found a recipe for these in one of my Mom's cookbooks - and rather than guess at my measurements, I found a similar one online at Mommy's Kitchen..

Semi-Homemade Oreo Cookies

Ingredients for Chocolate Cookies*:

• 2 boxes of Devil's Food cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 c of oil 

*These are the measurements for a double batch of cookies, this way you'll use all your filling!

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Filling:

• 1 8oz pckg of cream cheese (buy the good stuff, Philadelphia) - softened
• 3-4 c of powdered sugar (I just add the sugar in until I get the consistency I like)
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 cube of butter (1/2 c) - softened (not melted!!!)

Directions for Cookies:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix the cookie batter using a wooden spoon and bowl - trust me on this, the batter will be so so thick, and you'll need your mixer for the filling! 
• Roll cookie batter into 1 inch balls and place on a greased cookie sheet (this recipe will make 3 1/2 cookie sheets full). 
• I had never done this before, but Mommy's Kitchen suggested flattening the cookies before baking using the bottom of a cup. Brilliant! My cookies were almost all the same size and width, and nice and flat for cookie sandwiches. Check out her photos for clarification.
• Bake for 8 minutes, and let cool until warm on the cookie sheet. Move to cooling rack.

Directions for Filling:

• Mix all ingredients in a mixer - I add the sugar about a cup at a time.

Assembly:

• Spread filling onto one cookie (to your liking) and top with a cookie of similar size. Mommy's Kitchen suggested using a pastry bag and 1/2 inch tip or a zip lock bag. I had both on hand, but a butter knife suits me just fine.