Remember the Oreo Stack Brownies from last week? The ones I tried to copy based solely on appearance and what someone said about the flavor and texture? It was a nice try, but I've learned that the original recipe includes not only cream cheese in the filling, but white chocolate. Given the information, it was back to the old drawing board for a few more tries. I think I finally got it!
Here's the original. Fuzz and I took a few photos of it while sitting in the coffee shop.
So having tried it, I can say this new version is very similar and probably even better because I know exactly what ingredients went into it.
Oreo Stack Brownie Notes and Tips
I've had this recipe for a while, so I'm adding a few tips and things I've discovered from making it over and over.
- Soften the cream cheese. It should be soft enough so that you can beat it with a spoon or scraper. Softening it the microwave on a low setting gets it soft, squishy and almost warm.
- Be sure the other filling ingredients are room temperature as well so that the cream cheese will stay smooth. In the original recipe I added melted chocolate and cream. I've found it easier to just melt the white chocolate and cream together and add them.
- You can use any kind of Oreos, not just Double Stuff.
- The brownies are very easy. Mine usually take 28 minutes, but check at 25. Internal temperature is usually around 185. Let cool completely.
- The frosting is very rich. It looks pretty and make the bars special, but you could skip it and the bars would still be good. Also, the recipe will give you a little extra frosting.
Recipe
Oreo Stack Brownies (Cream Cheese Version)
A fudge brownie layered with cheesecake and Oreos and topped with an Oreo frosting.
Ingredients
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened ( 230 grams)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (36 grams)
- ½ ounce white chocolate (14 grams)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg white
- 3 count Regular or Double Stuff Oreos
Brownie Batter
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (114 grams)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (30 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large cold eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (64 grams) or 2.3 oz weight
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Frosting
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (or use 4 shortening, 4 butter) (114 grams
- 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (200 grams) -- may need a little more or less
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tiny pinch salt
- ¼ cup whipping cream (56 grams)
- 5 count Oreos (regular or Double Stuff)
Ganache
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ cup chopped dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips (42 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square metal pan with nonstick foil.
- In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Put the white chocolate and cream in a small custard cup and heat for about 10 seconds in the microwave. Stir and repeat until melted. Or you can melt them using a lower power setting. Let cool slightly, then beat the melted white chocolate mixture and vanilla into the cream cheese. beat in the egg white. Break or chop the Oreos and add to cream cheese mixture. Set aside.
- Make the brownie batter. Melt the butter in a 2 or 3 quart nonstick saucepan. Stir in the sugar and the cocoa powder. Reduce heat to low and stir gently for about 30 seconds to warm the sugar. Turn off the heat and let the sugar mixture sit for 5 minutes. Stir in the salt and vanilla. Add the cold eggs, whisking or stirring just until mixed, then mix the flour and baking powder together in a little cup and stir them into the batter. Spread about half the batter evenly over the bottom of the pan.
- Spread the filling over the batter by dropping it on in little dollops and gently spreading. Drop dollops of remaining brownie batter over the filling, spreading gently to cover. It’s okay if you miss a few spots because the top will be covered with frosting.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until brownies appear set. Let cool completely in the pan. When cool, transfer to the refrigerator to chill.
- Make frosting. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, scraping sides and beating until smooth. Beat in vanilla and salt. Slowly beat in the whipping cream beating and scraping until you have a smooth vanilla frosting. On a cutting board, chop Double Stuff and stir them into the frosting, “stuff” and all.
- Lift the cold brownie from the pan and peel away the foil. Spread frosting on top.
- Make the ganache. In a microwave safe bowl or large Pyrex measuring cup, combine chocolate chips and cream. Microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth, then transfer to a heavy duty zipper bag (or a decorating bag). Cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag and squeeze lines of ganache over the cold bars.
- Break up remaining Double Stuff and press them into the top for garnish. Return to the refrigerator to set the ganache. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Cook time is not really 200 minutes, but I included chill time.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Anna says
Hi Donna,
It's 2.3 oz representing the weight of 1/2 cup of flour. So you can use 1/2 cup or weigh out 2.3 oz OR 64 grams. I'm going to change it to grams so it will be more obvious and reformat this card so that the weight is in parenthesis.
Donna says
hi ! delicious recipe. A question...Is it 1/2 cup plus 2.3oz. flour? Or just 1/2 cup?
Anna says
Thanks Tina! I contacted the seller and Etsy.
Tina Taylor says
It looks like someone is trying to sell your recipe on Etsy. At the very least, it is your picture that they're using. Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/106395066/homemade-oreo-stack-brownie-recipe
ppinky says
you are amazing!!! thanks so much for sharing all these wonderful recipes! i love looking at this brownie but am wondering when i will finally make it :p
d says
I made these today. I sampled when they were at room temp before putting in the frig. Pretty darn good even without the icing. I've never had the original so I can't compare but these are wonderful!! Thanks for another wonderful recipe!
Malia S. says
This looks really good. Thanks I've been looking for something new to try.
Winnie says
I cannot wait for the weekend to try this.
Anna says
Glad you printed the new one out. The old one is still good, but the new one is more like its namesake. I think the only thing I changed was the filling.
Peggy says
This is awesome! I had just printed out last weeks post, and wa-la! A new and improved one! Definitely making it this weekend!
Cookie Sleuth says
Both versions look great to me! (And they're probably better than Starbucks!)
Ela says
The brownies looks so good and even better with the filling and frosting! I also love doing different things with brownies, it's so versatile.
MassachusEATS says
These look amazing! I love anything with Oreos - can't wait to try these out!
d says
OOh - another amazing bar I need to try! You're amazing Anna.
Anna says
Todd says they are his new favorite, and he's not a huge brownie fan.
Sue says
These look so good!!
tanya schroeder says
Love this! I love anything with oreo frosting, and the ganache really puts it over the top! My kind of dessert!