Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

If you ever want to make friends, put Oreos in chocolate chip cookie dough. 

The Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie phenomenon entered the blogosphere a few years ago, and then I discovered they are even easier to make and yield a bigger batch in bar form.

Since developing this magical combination a few years ago, my mom’s coworker told her that tasting it comes right after his wedding day and birth of his children as the high points in his life. They have also made me famous with my roommate’s students, who request them regularly. I think that they might get them more than my friends now.

Adults find the Oreo stuffing thing delicious, but kids find it fascinating. When I took the recipe to a group dinner, one girl carried the cookie around to other people to show them how there was an Oreo inside, and then came back to me to inquire how exactly the Oreo got there.

They make great treats for Valentine’s treats or really any time of the year that warrants sweets.

Adapted from Nestle Tollhouse recipe

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups (12-oz. package) semi-sweet chocolate chips

26 Oreos

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.

Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan. Spread half of dough in the bottom of the pan (I use my fingers to get it to cover all the area). Set the Oreos in rows on top of dough. Take small clumps of remaining dough, press it into flat segments and lay them on top of Oreos until the Oreos are covered in dough. It’s okay if you have a few small open spots; the dough will rise and spread.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until dough starts to brown. Cool, cut and serve. For most wondrous taste, eat warm out of the oven.

Managing Editor Madoline Markham blogs about food at maplemacaroni.blogspot.com.