Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies

Here I am again today with another healthy Paleo recipe!.............. Just kidding ;)

Today’s recipe is definitely not Paleo, but hey—everyone deserves a splurge every once in awhile. These cookies are actually not for me, but are being packaged up & sent away to someone very special to me... my little brother!

My brother, Alex, just moved about 5 hours away for college. It’s a bittersweet feeling... I’m sad that we won’t get to spend as much time together, but I am also SO proud of the smart decisions he has made & where his life is headed. So, I’m looking at the bright side & embracing the opportunity to embarrass him from a distance by sending him care packages!

First up—his favorite cookies. I sent him a random subtle text last night asking, “What’s your favorite cookie?” & he immediately wrote back with “those Oreo ones you make”. So, here they are… my Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies. These have also been a hit at family parties (among kids & adults alike!) and are a fun little switch-up from the classic chocolate chip cookie.

Enjoy the recipe, and stay tuned till the end where I show you how I packaged them up to be sent off to baby brother & his new roommate! :)

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 16 Oreos, crushed

*Makes about 24 cookies

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
2. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, brown sugar, butter & vanilla until fluffy.
3. Stir in the eggs one at a time.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt) with the chocolate chips.
5. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in thirds, each time stirring until just combined.
6. Mix in the crushed Oreos.
7. Refrigerate the dough for at least 20 minutes; it's easier to manage when it's cold.
8. Shape your cookies & place on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. (I roll them up, tear in half, & stick back together. Sounds confusing, but it gives them a better "look" & keeps them from getting too flat.)
9. Freeze the cookies on the sheet for 5-10 minutes. (My secret for avoiding "puddle" cookies!)
10. Bake for 10 minutes, or until they begin to turn light golden brown.

*Variation: My brother’s roommate likes “classic” chocolate chip cookies, so I cut the batch in half before refrigerating. For the “classic” half, I added ¼ cup more chocolate chips & left out the Oreos. Everything else is the same! :)

Here's how I packaged it all up! My mom helped me wrap them up & make a little topper for each. I then stuck in a few other goodies (jerky, gum, hand sanitizer) and a box of cards my mom made for Alex to write home. 

Let me know if you have someone that you send care packages to, & if you have any good ideas of what to put in Alex's next box!

AND, would love to hear if you try the cookies! They really are worth the splurge! ;)