Homemade OREOS with Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling

These cookies are so super dangerous.  I am having to practice some serious self-control, because I want to eat the whole batch tonight :)  Yes . . . as in ONE-SITTING.  They are melt-in-your-mouth crazy good.

The chocolate cookie is your standard cake mix cookie which are soft and chewy every time.  The filling has the best strawberry flavor.  In addition to pureed frozen strawberries, I add some strawberry extract for an extra boost of flavor.  You might want to attack the filling with your spoon . . . but try and save some for the cookies, because the chocolate cookie paired with the fresh tasting strawberry filling is a DIVINE combination.

Perfect for a Valentine's Day treat.  

If a cake mix isn't your thing, I have an awesome homemade chocolate cookie recipe too.  Just omit the red food coloring and you are good to go.

BTW - I made these again and took them to work and I have never received so many compliments and recipe requests.  Two people even told me they might be the BEST cookie they have ever had :)  

Homemade OREOS with Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling
From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner
(Printable Recipe) or (Printable with Picture)

1 pkg. chocolate fudge cake mix (or any chocolate cake mix)
3/4 c. shortening
2 eggs

Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling
1 stick (8 Tbl.) unsalted butter, room temp.
4 oz. cream cheese, room temp.
pinch of salt
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. frozen strawberries in sugar that have been 
    thawed and pureed, plus more if needed
1 tsp. strawberry extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  For the Cookies:  Combine cake mix, shortening and eggs and mix until combined.  Dough will be stiff.  Roll into 1'' - 1 1/2'' balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 9-10 minutes.  Cool completely.  Spread filling over half of the cookies and top each with another cookie to make sandwiches.  Makes about 36 cookies (18 sandwiches).  

For the Strawberry Filling:  Cream together butter, cream cheese and salt.  Add one cup of powdered sugar and mix until combined.  Add the pureed strawberries and strawberry extract.  Gradually mix in the remaining powdered sugar.  If frosting is too thick, add a little more strawberry puree.    

If a cake mix isn't your thing, you can make 1 1/2 batches of this Chocolate Cookie Recipe and omit the red food coloring.

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