These Easy Oatmeal Cream Pies are the perfect homemade twist on a childhood favorite. With soft, spiced oatmeal cookies sandwiched between a generous layer of fluffy vanilla frosting, these treats are a nostalgic snack that everyone will love. Made with just a few simple ingredients, these oatmeal cream pies are quick to prepare, yet offer a delicious homemade taste that’s far better than store-bought. Whether you’re making them for a snack, dessert, or lunchbox treat, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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¾ cup butter, softened
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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1 package (15.25 oz) spice cake mix
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1 cup quick-cooking oats
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1 can (16 oz) vanilla frosting
Directions
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Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and eggs until well blended. Add the cake mix and oats, and mix until fully incorporated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for about 2 hours, or until firm enough to roll.
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Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a well-floured surface, roll half of the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use a 2½-inch round cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Place them 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Bake the Cookies: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still slightly soft in the center. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on wire racks.
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Assemble the Cream Pies: Spread a generous amount of vanilla frosting on the bottom side of one cookie. Place another cookie on top to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Nutrients
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Calories: 296 kcal per sandwich cookie
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Fat: 13g
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Saturated Fat: 8g
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Cholesterol: 41mg
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Sodium: 316mg
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Carbohydrates: 42g
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Sugar: 26g
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Fiber: 0g
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Protein: 3g
A Classic Comfort Food with a Homemade Twist
The oatmeal cream pie is an iconic treat, often remembered as a nostalgic snack from childhood. While the store-bought versions are certainly popular, making these pies at home offers several advantages. For one, homemade oatmeal cream pies are far superior in terms of flavor and freshness. By using basic, wholesome ingredients, you can avoid the artificial flavors and preservatives often found in mass-produced treats.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients, you can recreate the soft and chewy cookies and creamy filling at home, making it a quick and easy treat for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, prepare a homemade snack for a gathering, or surprise your family with something special, these oatmeal cream pies are a perfect choice.
The Oatmeal Cookie Base: Chewy and Spiced to Perfection
The base of the oatmeal cream pie is the oatmeal cookie, which is both chewy and flavorful. The oatmeal not only provides a delightful texture but also offers a mild nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the frosting. Using quick-cooking oats ensures that the cookies have the right balance of chewiness, while still holding their shape when baked.
The addition of a spice cake mix to the cookie dough adds a warm and comforting spice profile, which gives the cookies a deeper flavor. The cake mix brings a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warm spices that are perfect for the colder months or anytime you crave something cozy. The spices in the cookies give them a delicious aroma as they bake, making your kitchen smell like a warm, inviting bakery.
This oatmeal cookie base serves as the perfect foundation for the sweet, creamy vanilla frosting, and its slightly chewy texture contrasts beautifully with the light, fluffy frosting sandwiched between the cookies.
Making the Cookies: Simple and Quick
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is how easy it is to prepare. After mixing together the butter, eggs, cake mix, and oats, the dough is formed and then chilled for a couple of hours. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up, making it easier to roll out and cut into uniform cookie shapes. This step also ensures that the cookies maintain their shape while baking, resulting in perfectly round, soft oatmeal cookies.
Once the dough is chilled, it’s simply a matter of rolling it out to the right thickness, cutting out the cookies, and baking them. The baking process takes just 8 to 10 minutes, and you’ll know the cookies are ready when they’re set but still slightly soft in the center. The cookies will firm up as they cool, creating that ideal chewy texture that is a hallmark of oatmeal cream pies.
The Frosting: Creamy and Sweet
The frosting is the finishing touch that makes these oatmeal cream pies irresistible. A generous spread of vanilla frosting on one side of a cookie, followed by another cookie on top, transforms the oatmeal cookies into delightful sandwiches. The frosting itself is rich and creamy, providing a sweet contrast to the slightly spiced cookies.
Using store-bought vanilla frosting keeps the recipe quick and simple, but you can also make your own frosting if you prefer. Homemade frosting allows for more control over the sweetness and flavor, and you can even add a dash of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. Regardless of whether you use store-bought or homemade frosting, the result is a sweet, creamy filling that complements the oatmeal cookies perfectly.
Assembling the Oatmeal Cream Pies
Assembling the oatmeal cream pies is perhaps the most enjoyable part of the process. Once the cookies have cooled completely, you simply spread a generous amount of frosting on the bottom of one cookie and then press another cookie on top to form a sandwich. The frosting should be thick enough to hold the cookies together but not so thick that it spills out the sides.
The process is quick, and you can easily assemble the pies in advance. Once the pies are assembled, they are ready to be enjoyed immediately or stored for later. The pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, making them a great option for meal prepping or for preparing ahead of time for a gathering or party.
The Appeal of Oatmeal Cream Pies
Oatmeal cream pies appeal to a wide range of people, from kids to adults. The chewy oatmeal cookies provide a comforting, familiar flavor, while the sweet frosting adds a delightful indulgence. This perfect combination of flavors and textures makes oatmeal cream pies a favorite among many.
These pies also have the advantage of being incredibly customizable. You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate frosting, peanut butter, or even flavored creams. If you prefer a little crunch in your cream pies, you can add chopped nuts or coconut flakes to the filling. For a festive touch, consider adding a few sprinkles or colored sugar on top of the frosting for special occasions or holidays.
Perfect for Lunchboxes and Snack Time
Oatmeal cream pies are a perfect treat for lunchboxes or quick snacks. They are portable, easy to eat, and not overly messy, making them a great option for both kids and adults. The homemade nature of these pies means that you can control the portion sizes, so you can make them as big or small as you like. Their compact size makes them easy to pack for school lunches, work snacks, or on-the-go desserts.
These pies are also a great option for after-school snacks or late-night treats. The combination of the oatmeal cookies and creamy filling provides a satisfying balance of sweet and chewy, making them the perfect indulgence to satisfy your cravings. They also pair well with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea, enhancing the flavor and enjoyment.
Conclusion
Easy Oatmeal Cream Pies are a homemade twist on a childhood favorite that combines the perfect blend of chewy oatmeal cookies and creamy vanilla frosting. The simplicity of the ingredients and the ease of preparation make these pies a go-to recipe for anyone craving a delicious snack or dessert. Whether you’re serving them at a party, packing them in a lunchbox, or enjoying them as an afternoon treat, these oatmeal cream pies are sure to be a hit.
The balance of sweet, spiced oatmeal cookies with the smooth frosting creates a comforting and nostalgic treat that everyone will enjoy. The flexibility of the recipe also allows for endless customization, so you can make them your own by experimenting with different fillings or flavor additions. With their rich flavor and satisfying texture, these oatmeal cream pies are destined to become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire.