12 Cookies and Cream Desserts That Taste Like Your Favorite Childhood Snack
Remember twisting apart a chocolate sandwich cookie, licking the cream and dunking the rest in cold milk? That simple joy is the heart of every cookies and cream dessert. Crushed chocolate cookies and sweet vanilla cream show up in cakes, pies, ice cream and party cups, and they make grown ups feel like kids again. Here are the cookies and cream desserts worth making this season..
Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
Creamy vanilla cheesecake packed with chunks of chocolate sandwich cookies sits on a crunchy cookie crust and gets a thick layer of crumbs on top. It is rich, smooth and full of crunchy surprises in every bite. This is the dessert to bring when you want everyone to ask for the recipe. It is the king of cookies and cream desserts. Would you add a chocolate drizzle?
You will need: You need: 30 chocolate sandwich cookies, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 24 ounces cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla.
How to make it: Crush 20 cookies and mix with butter. Press into a 9 inch springform pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar, then add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Fold in 6 chopped cookies. Pour over the crust. Bake at 325F for 55 minutes. Cool, chill overnight and top with the last 4 cookies, crushed.
Cookies and Cream Mousse Cake
This layered mousse cake has a dark cookie crumb base, a chocolate mousse middle and a fluffy white cookies and cream layer on top. A shiny chocolate glaze finishes it like a bakery cake. Each layer is easy on its own, and the fridge does most of the work. It is one of the most elegant cookies and cream desserts. Which layer would you eat first?
You will need: You need: 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, 4 tablespoons butter, 4 ounces dark chocolate, 3 cups heavy cream, 4 ounces white chocolate, 2 teaspoons gelatin, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup sugar.
How to make it: Crush 16 cookies with butter and press into a ring pan. Melt dark chocolate, fold in 1 cup whipped cream and spread on the base. Chill. Bloom gelatin in milk, warm it with white chocolate, cool, fold in 2 cups whipped cream with sugar and 8 crushed cookies. Spread on top and chill 6 hours.
Chocolate Drip Cookies and Cream Cake
A tall cake with chocolate drips down the sides and a crown of sandwich cookies on top is a party in itself. Inside, the vanilla cake is speckled with crushed cookies and filled with cookies and cream frosting. It is the birthday cake kids dream about. Poll: A) chocolate cake inside, B) vanilla cake inside, C) one of each layer?
You will need: You need: 1 vanilla cake recipe (two 8 inch layers), 15 crushed sandwich cookies, 1 cup butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons cream, 4 ounces dark chocolate, 1/2 cup cream for the drip, 8 whole cookies.
How to make it: Fold 1/2 cup crushed cookies into the cake batter and bake. Beat butter, powdered sugar and cream, then stir in the rest of the crushed cookies. Fill and frost the cake and chill. Heat 1/2 cup cream, pour over chocolate, stir and cool. Spoon drips around the edge and top with cookies.
No Churn Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
You only need four ingredients and a freezer to make the creamiest cookies and cream ice cream. Whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk create a smooth base, and big chunks of cookie add crunch. Scoop it into a cone on a warm day or sandwich it between two cookies. Homemade cookies and cream desserts like this beat the store. Do you like big chunks or fine crumbs?
You will need: You need: 2 cups heavy cream, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 15 chocolate sandwich cookies, chopped.
How to make it: Whip the cream to stiff peaks. In another bowl, mix condensed milk and vanilla. Fold the cream into the milk gently. Fold in the chopped cookies. Spread in a loaf pan, cover and freeze for 6 hours. Let it soften 5 minutes before scooping.
Surprise Inside Cookie Cupcakes
Each of these cupcakes hides a whole cookie at the bottom, like a little surprise. On top, a swirl of cookie speckled frosting and a cookie half make them look like they came from a bakery. They are perfect for class parties, birthdays and bake sales. These are the cookies and cream desserts kids ask for most. How many could you eat before dinner?
You will need: You need: 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup milk. Frosting: 1 cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cream.
How to make it: Place a cookie in each of 12 lined cups. Beat butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla, then flour, baking powder, salt and milk. Fold in 6 chopped cookies and fill the cups. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes. Beat the frosting, stir in crushed cookies, pipe on and top with cookie halves.
Halloween Dirt Pudding Cups
Dirt cups are the most fun of all cookies and cream desserts, and they are perfect for Halloween. Layers of chocolate pudding and whipped cream are covered with crushed cookie dirt. Add gummy worms, candy pumpkins or a little mint sprig so it looks like something is growing. Kids go wild for these. What would you hide in the dirt?
You will need: You need: 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding, 2 cups cold milk, 1 cup whipped topping, 20 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed, gummy worms or mint sprigs, 8 small cups.
How to make it: Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes and let it set for 5. Fold in the whipped topping. Layer crushed cookies, pudding and more cookies in each cup. Chill for 1 hour. Decorate with gummy worms or mint sprigs right before serving.
Construction Dirt Cake for Kids
Turn a simple chocolate cake into a construction site with a layer of cookie crumb dirt, a few chunks of chocolate rocks and a clean toy truck on top. It is a birthday cake that any little builder will remember. The crumbs hide any frosting mistakes, so it is great for beginners. Would your kids love this one?
You will need: You need: 1 chocolate cake (9×13 or two rounds), 2 cups chocolate frosting, 25 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed, chocolate candy rocks, a clean toy truck.
How to make it: Bake and cool the cake. Frost the top and sides. Press crushed cookies all over the top and sides. Pile extra crumbs in one corner like a dirt mound. Add candy rocks. Wash a toy truck well and set it on top just before serving.
Loaded Cookies and Cream Milkshake
This milkshake is a dessert and a show all in one. Vanilla ice cream gets blended with cookies and milk, then poured into a jar rimmed with chocolate and piled high with whipped cream, sprinkles and treats. It is a fun weekend project and a big hit at sleepovers. Quick poll: A) thick, B) extra thick, C) eat it with a spoon?
You will need: You need: 3 cups vanilla ice cream, 3/4 cup milk, 8 chocolate sandwich cookies, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, popcorn or small treats for the top.
How to make it: Drizzle chocolate sauce around the inside of two jars. Blend ice cream, milk and 6 cookies until thick. Pour into the jars. Top with whipped cream, the last cookies, sprinkles and a little popcorn. Serve with a wide straw and a spoon.
Chewy White Chunk Chocolate Cookies
These chewy chocolate cookies are loaded with white chocolate chunks and crushed cookie pieces, so they taste like cookies and cream in cookie form. The dough comes together in one bowl and does not need chilling. They stay soft for days in a tin. Bake a double batch, because they go fast. Few cookies and cream desserts are this easy. Warm from the oven or cold with milk?
You will need: You need: 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/3 cups flour, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup white chocolate chunks, 10 chopped sandwich cookies.
How to make it: Beat butter and sugars, then add egg and vanilla. Mix in flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Fold in white chocolate and cookie pieces. Scoop onto lined trays. Bake at 350F for 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
Cookies and Cream Parfait Cups
Layers of crunchy cookie crumbs and sweet vanilla cream in small glasses make an elegant dessert that takes ten minutes. Make them in the morning and they will be perfect by dinner, as the crumbs soften just a little. Add berries if you want some color. They are one of the easiest cookies and cream desserts for a crowd. Who would you make these for?
You will need: You need: 1 cup heavy cream, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 16 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed, 6 small glasses.
How to make it: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Whip the cream and fold it in. Layer crushed cookies and cream in each glass, ending with crumbs on top. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
Five Minute Cookie Fluff
Cookie fluff is a potluck legend. Instant vanilla pudding, whipped topping and crushed chocolate cookies get folded together into a light, sweet, fluffy salad that is somehow a dessert. It takes five minutes and no cooking. Serve it in a bowl with spoons, or as a dip with graham crackers. It is one of the most nostalgic cookies and cream desserts. Have you ever had this at a church supper?
You will need: You need: 1 box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, 1 cup cold milk, 8 ounces whipped topping, 15 chocolate sandwich cookies, chopped, 1 cup mini marshmallows (optional).
How to make it: Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes until thick. Fold in the whipped topping. Stir in the chopped cookies and marshmallows. Chill 1 hour. Top with extra cookie crumbs before serving.
No Bake Cookies and Cream Pie
This pie has a crunchy cookie crust and a fluffy, creamy filling full of cookie pieces. It sets in the fridge, so your oven stays free for the holidays. A swirl of whipped cream on each slice makes it look extra special. For a cozy pairing, try one of these cozy hot drinks. Which of these cookies and cream desserts will you make first?
You will need: You need: 24 chocolate sandwich cookies, 4 tablespoons melted butter, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped cream for topping.
How to make it: Crush 16 cookies with butter and press into a pie plate. Chill. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip the heavy cream and fold it in with 8 chopped cookies. Spread in the crust. Chill 4 hours. Slice and top with whipped cream.
