Because of the healthy fat and natural fiber, you're body will thank you for eating these Homemade Oreos instead of the store bought ones.
Does anyone else find it strange that Oreos are dairy free? Oreos are a cream filled sandwich cookie, yet there is no dairy in them. Hmmm. Makes you wonder what that white stuff is actually made out of, doesn't it?
Well, a crazy fact about Oreos that I recently discovered is that the cream filling used to be made out of pork fat! I'm not sure when they stopped making the filling with pig lard, but I sure hope they stopped before I had my first taste. Nowadays, the filling is mainly created by creaming together white and powdered sugar with vegetable shortening, making Oreo cookies accidentally vegan.
Don't let all my talk about pig lard and vegetable shortening make you think that I've never had an Oreo before. I've definitely had my fair share. Growing up they were a special treat and in high school Oreo flavored McFlurries were always my first choice. Even just a few years ago, when I was traveling around the world for my job, I would sometimes bring a pack with me for my coworkers and I to share. We'd often celebrate the end of a long day of work (and sweating!) with a few Oreos and a movie on our laptops while lying in our mosquito nets.
But that was a few years ago. I actually can't remember the last time I had an Oreo. When I made the choice to not eat meat or dairy a little over a year ago, I slowly began to make healthier choices in other aspect of my diet. White flour to whole wheat or almond flour. Processed sugar to pure maple syrup or...nothing! Store bought cereal to steal cut oats. Oreos to...these!
I will make a disclaimer that these cookies don't taste like Oreos. Don't let that keep you from making them though! They are still chocolatey with a sweet, creamy filling and they'll satisfy your sweet tooth. There is barely any sweetener in these cookies, but the sweetness comes from dates. And the cream you ask? It's definitely not made from pig fat, but instead is a blend of cashews, water, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Awesome, right?!
Because of the healthy fat and natural fiber, you're body will thank you for eating these Homemade Oreos instead of the store bought ones. Your sweet tooth will be just as happy too without leaving your body in a sugar coma.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Oreos! {Raw, Vegan, GF}
Ingredients
CHOCOLATE COOKIE
- 1 cup almonds
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup pitted and packed Medjool dates about 10 large
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- water if necessary
CREAM FILLING
- ¾ cup cashews
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Start by making the cream filling. Place all of the filling ingredients into a food processor or high powered blender and blend until smooth. You'll need to scrap down the sides of your processor or blender occasionally. Scoop the filling into a bowl and set it in the refrigerator to harden while you make the chocolate cookies.
- To make the chocolate cookies, place the almonds in a food processor and process until you get a course meal. Add in the cocoa powder and pulse until combined. While the processor is running drop in your pitted Medjool dates one at a time. After you've finished with the dates drizzle in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and process a little more. Use your hands to pinch some of the dough together. You'll know the dough is done if the mixture sticks together when you pinch it. If necessary add in some water 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Pour the dough onto parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat and roll the dough out with a rolling pin until it's ¼-inch thick. Use a 1.5-inch circle cookie cutter and cut out as many cookies as possible, placing them on another piece of parchment paper or baking mat. Gather up the scraps of dough and continue the process until you've used up all the dough. Set the chocolate cookies in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
- To assemble the cookies, place about 2 teaspoons worth of cream filling on top of half of the chocolate cookies and top with the other half of the cookies. Push the chocolate cookies together so that the cream filling spreads out and you get an "Oreo".
Store in the fridge.
Sydney says
Wow! These look amazing! I love how creative they are 🙂 Can't wait to try them.
Faith says
Thanks Sydney!! I'm really happy with how they turned out. If you try them out, let me know what you think!
Jen says
this is awesome faith! I'll have to try it soon 😀
Faith says
Jen!! It's great to hear from you! Thanks. If you try them out, I'd love to know what you think:)
Cailee says
YUM! These look so so good!! ...and they are so much better for your body than oreos!! I love it! ...and yeah, it's crazy that oreos are 'accidentally vegan'!!! Haha, I knew that they were dairy free (which I agree is odd considering the middle is "cream")...but I did not know they used to be made with pig fat :0!! EWW! Great recipe alternative!!
Faith says
Haha I know, crazy right?! Yeah, these are full of ingredients that I'm excited to put in my body...and they still taste good!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Stopping by from the Virtual Vegan Linky Potluck. I've been wanting to make homemade oreos for a while now and I have all the ingredients in this recipe! Looks like I have a plan for the weekend 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Faith says
Ooo fun!! Please let me know what you think once you make them!
Amy @ Parsley In My Teeth says
Oh my gosh, these look SO delicious! Thanks for sharing in the VVLP!
Faith says
Thanks Amy! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe. Let me know if you make them!
Anna says
Lovely, lovely, lovely! With a little imagination, these even have the texture of oreos. Thanks so much for this wonderful recipe!
Faith says
you're so welcome Anna! Thanks for saying hi!
Amber (Adventures in Mindful Living) says
You had me at Oreo!lol!! Found you through the Vegan Virtual Potluck I am going to make these very soon!!Thanks for a great recipe!!
Faith says
Cool! I hope you do. And please, let me know what you think once you make them!
Annie says
I'll take a trayful, please!!
Faith says
Done!!
Angela @ Canned-Time.com says
Oh my. ....
You're killing me this morning!
Thanks for sharing this with the VVLP ♡
Faith says
Haha you're welcome! Yay for Oreos:)