✅ Prep time
30 minutes
✅ Cook time
15 minutes
✅ Total time
45 minutes
✅ Servings
12 servings
There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia of biting into a soft, chewy oatmeal cream pie. The classic combination of two spiced oatmeal cookies with a sweet, creamy filling is a childhood favorite that brings back memories of lunchboxes and after-school snacks. The best part? With my Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies Recipe, you can recreate this beloved treat right in your own kitchen, making it easier than ever to satisfy those cravings.
In this recipe, I’ll guide you through the process of making these delightful cookies from scratch, sharing tips to perfect your baking skills, along with variations to cater to different taste preferences. Let’s dive into this sweet adventure!
What Is Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies?
Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies are delightful treats that consist of two soft, chewy cookies made from oats, flour, and a blend of spices, sandwiched together with a luscious cream filling. These treats are often compared to the commercially available ones, but the homemade version offers a freshness and flavor that you simply can’t find in store-bought desserts.
Traditionally, the base of the cookies includes rolled oats and a mixture of ingredients like brown sugar and vanilla, giving them a delightful chewiness and a hint of caramel flavor. The filling is typically a simple combination of butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla, resulting in a sweet and creamy overtone that perfectly balances the spiced cookies.
These oatmeal cream pies are not only delicious, but they also evoke a warm sense of nostalgia for many. They are perfect for an afternoon treat, a lunchbox sweet, or a delightful dessert after a family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies Recipe
There are countless reasons to love this homemade oatmeal cream pies recipe. For starters, the flavor combination is simply irresistible. The cookies have a delightful chewiness and rich flavor profile, while the cream filling adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess that is hard to resist.
One of the standout features of making your own oat cream pies is the ease of the recipe. Even novice bakers will find this treat accessible and straightforward. You’ll be mixing, scooping, and baking in no time, yielding results that are sure to impress family and friends.
Additionally, they are highly customizable. Want to add some chocolate chips or raisins to your cookies? Go right ahead! Looking to make them more indulgent with some peanut butter in your filling? The possibilities are endless! Not to mention, these cream pies are perfect for meal prep. You can bake a batch ahead of time and store them for snacks throughout the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
–
Rolled Oats
: The star of the show! Rolled oats provide texture and chewiness to the cookies while also being a whole grain that adds fiber and nutrients.
–
All-Purpose Flour
: This gives the cookies structure. You can substitute with whole wheat flour for a hearty twist or gluten-free flour if you have dietary restrictions.
–
Brown Sugar
: This sweetener adds moisture and a lovely caramel flavor to the cookies.
–
Granulated Sugar
: Balances the flavor; this will help the cookies spread while baking, giving them that classic oatmeal cream pie look.
–
Baking Soda
: Helps the cookies rise, giving them a soft and chewy texture.
–
Cinnamon
: A warm spice that adds depth to the cookies. You can add nutmeg or ginger for a more complex flavor.
–
Salt
: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors in the cookies.
–
Butter
: Softened butter adds richness to the cookies, making them melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
–
Egg
: Acts as a binding agent, helping hold the cookies together while adding moisture.
–
Vanilla Extract
: For flavor; pure vanilla elevates the taste of cookies and filling alike.
–
Powdered Sugar
: For the creamy filling, it provides sweetness and a smooth texture.
–
Milk
: To thin the filling and give it a creamy consistency. You can also use alternative milk like almond or oat milk for a non-dairy option.
How to Make Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
Making homemade oatmeal cream pies is a fun and engaging process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your delicious treats:
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Proper temperature ensures that cookies bake evenly.
2. **Mix the Dry Ingredients**: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. This step is crucial; mixing dry ingredients separately allows for even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
3. **Cream the Butter and Sugars**: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2–3 minutes on medium speed. Properly creamed butter and sugar create air pockets that result in a tender final cookie.
4. **Add the Egg and Vanilla**: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The mixture should appear creamy and slightly thick, adding moisture to the cookies.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**: Gradually blend the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined, ensuring not to overmix. A lumpy cookie dough is what you want; this will yield chewy, tender cookies.
6. **Scoop the Dough**: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each dough ball to allow for spreading.
7. **Bake the Cookies**: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers may appear slightly underbaked, which is okay, as they will firm up as they cool.
8. **Cool the Cookies**: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Don’t rush this step, as cool cookies are essential for spreading the filling.
9. **Make the Cream Filling**: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until combined, then add milk gradually to attain a smooth and creamy consistency. Add more powdered sugar if the mixture is too wet, or more milk if it’s too thick.
10. **Sandwich the Cookies**: Once the cookies are cooled completely, spread a generous layer of filling on the flat side of one cookie and top with another cookie, pressing down gently. Repeat until all cookies are sandwiched.
11. **Enjoy**: Serve immediately or store them in an airtight container for later enjoyment!
4 Variations & Substitutions
To keep things exciting, you can easily tweak this homemade oatmeal cream pies recipe to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas to consider:
1. Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cream Pies
By adding 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the cookie dough, you’ll introduce a delicious gooeyness that pairs wonderfully with the cream filling. The chocolate’s richness complements the spices in the oatmeal cookies beautifully, turning this nostalgic treat into a chocolate lover’s dream. Simply fold in the chocolate chips after mixing the wet and dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution.
2. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cream Pies
For autumnal vibes, substitute part of the butter with ½ cup of pumpkin puree and add pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon. This variation introduces a warm, cozy flavor and a slight moisture boost, making these cream pies perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving. Just make sure to adjust the flour slightly to accommodate the added liquid.
3. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cream Pies
Incorporate ½ cup of creamy peanut butter into the cookie dough for nutty, rich flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the filling. You can also mix a bit of peanut butter into the filling for an extra indulgent treat, creating an irresistible peanut butter twist on the classic recipe.
4. Vegan Oatmeal Cream Pies
By swapping out butter for coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative and using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed combined with 2.5 tablespoons of water), you can create a plant-based version of these delightful cookies. For the cream filling, use coconut cream or a whipped vegan frosting to keep it creamy without any dairy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making homemade oatmeal cream pies, it’s important to avoid common baking pitfalls. Here are some to keep in mind:
– **Overmixing the Dough**: One of the most frequent mistakes is overmixing once you have added the dry ingredients. This can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined.
– **Burning the Cookies**: Keep a close eye on your cookies while they’re baking. Since ovens vary, watch for the edges to turn golden while the centers remain slightly soft. Overbaking results in dry cookies.
– **Not Allowing Cookies to Cool**: If you try to fill the cookies while they’re still warm, the filling may melt into the cookie, making a messy treat. Ensure that cookies cool completely before adding the cream filling.
– **Ignoring Ingredient Temperatures**: You should use softened butter for creaming. If your butter is too cold, it won’t incorporate properly, leading to a dense texture. Let your butter sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating Tips
To store your homemade oatmeal cream pies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them!
To freeze, place the assembled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They should stay fresh for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes or reheat them in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
It is recommended to use rolled oats for the best texture in oatmeal cream pies. Quick oats can become too mushy, resulting in a less desirable cookie consistency. If rolled oats are not available, you can use quick oats as a substitute, but be prepared for a slightly different texture.
2. How can I make my oatmeal cream pies more chewy?
To achieve a chewier texture in your oatmeal cream pies, ensure that you don’t overbake the cookies. Pull them out of the oven when they are just set and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes so they retain moisture.
3. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! You can double the recipe if you want to make extra oatmeal cream pies. Just ensure you have enough baking sheets and space in your oven to accommodate the additional cookies. Make sure to keep an eye on the baking time, as it might vary slightly with more cookies.
4. Is there a way to make these healthier?
Certainly! To create a healthier version, consider using whole wheat flour or almond flour in place of all-purpose flour, and reduce the sugar by substituting with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Additionally, adding flaxseed or chia seeds to the mix can boost the nutritional value without compromising flavor.
5. What if I don’t have any vanilla extract?
You can substitute vanilla extract with almond extract for a different yet complimentary flavor. Alternatively, simply leave it out; your cookies may taste slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious!
In conclusion, these homemade oatmeal cream pies are not just a delight for your taste buds; they also embody the essence of comfort and nostalgia. The process of making them isn’t daunting, making it perfect for busy parents, beginners in the kitchen, or anyone wanting a satisfying homemade snack. I invite you to give this recipe a try — and trust me, once you taste them, you’ll be tempted to whip up batches time and again. Share your creations with your friends and family, and watch as they fall in love with your homemade treat!
Don’t hesitate to customize the recipe to match your taste preferences or dietary needs. Happy baking!
