Oreo Brownies

Brownies are one of those easy, go-to desserts you can make and feel confident everyone will enjoy. You can’t go wrong with a regular, plain, fudgy square, but there’s an explanation for the amount of different brownie recipes out there: the simplicity of brownie batter makes it super versatile. When I need a decadent chocolate dessert, these cookie-packed Oreo brownies hit the spot every time.

To weave that signature Oreo flavor into each bite, crushed cookies are mixed into the batter, and chopped Oreos are sprinkled over top before baking. A thin, lightly sweetened cream cheese layer between the brownie and chopped cookies mimics the white filling of an Oreo, giving the brownies a cookies-and-cream vibe. Pair it with a glass of milk or a strong cup of coffee and watch the pan disappear.

Ingredients for Oreo Brownies

• Cream cheese: Cream cheese is used to create a tangy, cheesecake-like layer over the chocolaty brownies. Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature until it’s softened; it should be smooth and creamy when you beat it with the other ingredients.
• Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cream cheese and the brownie batter to counter the bitter, unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Egg: Eggs bind the wet and dry ingredients in the brownie batter, and help set the creamy topping so it slices well. Room-temperature eggs will combine more smoothly in both mixtures.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla’s mellow flavor is essential in the cream cheese and brownie layers.
• Butter: Melted butter contributes to the brownies’ dense, fudgy texture. Let it cool slightly before using so it’s still fluid but isn’t hot enough to cook the eggs.
• Brown sugar: The brownies are made with brown sugar in addition to granulated sugar. It gives the edges a slightly chewy bite and adds a deeper flavor that complements the cocoa.
• Baking cocoa: Unsweetened cocoa powder gives the brownies a deep chocolate flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Flour ensures the brownies have the correct texture and structure. Take a minute to measure the flour correctly so the brownies don’t turn out too wet or too crumbly.
• Baking powder: Baking powder gives the brownies just enough rise so they bake through properly. Test your baking powder before using it to ensure it’s still active—especially if it’s been sitting in the cabinet for a while.
• Oreo cookies: To get the most Oreo taste in this dessert, the classic cookies are mixed into the batter and sprinkled over top. You can crush the cookies in a food storage bag with a rolling pin or pulse them in a blender or food processor.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cream cheese topping and brownie batter

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla until they’re smooth. For the brownie layer, combine the butter, sugar, brown sugar and cocoa in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking powder, then gradually add them to the cocoa mixture. Stir in the crushed cookie crumbs.

Step 2: Assemble the brownies

Pour the brownie batter into a greased 11×7-inch baking pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter and sprinkle it with coarsely chopped Oreo cookies.

Step 3: Bake the brownies

Bake the brownies at 350°F until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool them completely on a wire rack, then cut them into bars. Store them in the refrigerator.

Oreo Brownies Variations

• Make a vanilla version: If you prefer vanilla over chocolate, replace the brownie base with one of our best blondie recipes and use crushed and chopped Golden Oreos for the cookies.
• Double down on the chocolate: If you’re a serious chocolate lover, add a handful of chocolate chips or chocolate chunks to the brownie batter with the crushed cookies. Or, before serving, drizzle the top of the brownies lightly with chocolate ganache and let it firm up before slicing.
• Give it a seasonal twist: As the seasons change, you can adjust the flavor of the brownies with different Oreo variations. Mint Oreos would taste delicious the spring and pumpkin spice Oreos would look festive in autumn—and that’s just a jumping-off point.

How to Store Oreo Brownies

Store Oreo brownies in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight food storage container. Put a sheet of wax or parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together. You can store them uncut in the pan they were baked in, or in individual squares.

How long will Oreo brownies keep?

Like cake or cheesecake, these brownies last in the fridge for up to one week, as long as they are well wrapped to preserve the taste and texture. If they start to get a little hard, I like to pop them in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds to soften them, and then I enjoy them warm.

Can I make Oreo brownies ahead of time?

Oreo brownies are a great make-ahead recipe because their rich texture won’t dry out quickly. The chopped Oreos on top will soften in the refrigerator over time, but they’ll still taste delicious. Let them stand at room temperature before serving them to soften the brownie base slightly.

Can I freeze this Oreo brownie recipe?

You can freeze almost any brownie recipe, including these Oreo brownies. For the best taste when freezing brownies, it’s ideal to freeze the entire, uncut pan. Wrap it tightly, slide it into a large freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. Alternatively, you can cut them into squares and freeze them in a single layer in a freezer-proof container. Thaw them briefly at room temperature or in the fridge. The cream cheese might sweat a little as it thaws, but it will still taste great.

Oreo Brownies Tips

Can I use an all-edge brownie pan for this recipe?

If you love brownie edges so much that you needed to try an all-edge brownie pan as we did, you can definitely use it for this recipe. It may be harder to apply the cream cheese mixture evenly, but you can always use a piping bag to add the topping and minimize mess. Some all-edge pans can be thicker than standard baking pans, so keep an eye on the brownies as they bake and adjust the cook time as needed.

Can I use a different brownie recipe as the base for Oreo brownies?

You can use any brownie recipe you like as the base, as long as it makes enough batter to fill an 11×7-inch pan. Our baking pan conversion chart is a useful tool for determining whether another recipe would fit here.

Does it really matter if my eggs are at room temperature?

Room-temperature eggs are important in this recipe; they allow the buttery brownies and creamy topping to mix together smoothly and to bake evenly. If you’re in a rush, carefully place cold eggs into a bowl of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes while you gather your ingredients. Drain and dry them, and you’ll be ready to bake.