Every May and September, my dad and his friends spend a week backpacking through the wilderness: Utah in the spring, California in the fall. Their trips are full of hiking, fishing, campfires, and basically no technology except for gas-powered stoves and cameras. (Kind of hard for a food blogger to grasp sometimes!)
Dad always hosts a reunion at their house the following February or March. The guys come over for dinner; then they play poker well into the wee hours of the morning, just like on their backpacking trips. They use M&Ms as poker chips on the trail, but… Those magically disappear whenever someone gets hungry!
My dad’s old college roommate, my Uncle P, flies out for the poker night too, and I always try to drive home to see him. He’s a huge runner (as in 100-mile marathons in the mountains!) and loves healthy food as much as I do, so our family always has a blast with him around.
This year my mom, brother, and I enjoyed dinner with the guys inside before the games began, and I strategically set out lots of snacks and treats (including a few cookbook test recipes!) for the guys to munch on while they played. However…
These Healthier Cookies ’n Cream Brownies almost disappeared before they even dealt the first hand! “These are SO good!” “No way are they healthy!” I probably should’ve baked a double batch… It turns out even adults have a hard time resisting anything with Oreos!
These start with one of my favorite brownie recipes. It’s about as easy to make as a box mix, but it contains none of the artificial ingredients or preservatives. Dry ingredients in one bowl; wet in another. Stir, stir, stir and you’re done!
That’s some serious fudgy factor going on… They’re basically a cross between fudge and brownies—exactly the way they should be! Cakey brownies are just cake without the frosting. Moving on…
Now comes the fun part! Nine entire Oreos, chopped up with the cream filling included, go into these brownies. You’ll put about 6 into the batter and 3 pressed into the tops. That makes for a really temping presentation, doesn’t it? No wonder the poker players couldn’t resist!
If you’re like me, you’ll probably set out 10-12 Oreos to chop… Because a few always magically disappear, just like those M&M poker chips!
Then a short stint in the oven, a longer time to cool (the longer you wait, the fudgier they’ll be!), and then your chocoholic’s dream is ready to eat. And if you can figure out a way not to hoard the entire pan… I’ll be incredibly impressed!
And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! ?) I’d love to see your brownies and feature them in my Sunday Spotlight series!
| Healthier Cookies 'n Cream Brownies | | Print |
- ¾ cup (90g) all-purpose or gluten-free* flour (measured like this)
- ¾ cup (60g) unsweetened cocoa powder (measured like this)
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp (14g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (96g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 7 tbsp (105mL) nonfat milk
- 9 reduced-fat Oreos, diced
- Preheat the oven to 300°F, and lightly coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the granulated sugar. Mix in the Greek yogurt, stirring until no large lumps remain. Mix in the milk. Add in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in two thirds of the Oreo pieces.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan, and gently press the remaining Oreo pieces into the top. Bake at 300°F for 15-18 minutes. Cool completely to room temperature in the pan at let the brownies rest for at least 3 hours before slicing into squares.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies (like these) and the following gluten-free flour blend: ½ cup (60g) millet flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) brown rice flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca flour, and ½ teaspoon xanthan gum. Most store-bought gluten-free flour blends will also work, if measured like this.
Melted coconut oil, or any other oil, may be substituted for the butter.
Brown sugar or coconut sugar may be substituted for the granulated sugar.
Any Oreos may be subsituted for the reduced-fat Oreos.
For the fudgiest brownies, only bake for 15 minutes and let the brownies rest overnight before slicing and serving.
{gluten-free option, low fat}
These are some of the best photos I’ve seen on your blog–wow! The brownies look so fudgy and delicious!
You’re so sweet Katie — thank you so much! That means a lot to me!
Are these brownies still skinny if I eat the whole pan? The look delicious, Amy! Your photos are gorgeous.
Totally Jen — but your jeans might disagree! 😉 And thank you! I’m trying to test new lighting and learning as I go.
Mega fudgey brownies are always my favourite, so these look like they’ll be perfect for me. Pinning!
Thanks Nicola! I’m the same way — the fudgier, the better! It’s why I always snag the ones in the center of the pan. 😉
I am in love with these photos!! Stunning. Pinned!
Thank you so much Dorothy!
I just put my batch of these in the oven! I’m going to attempt to wait until tomorrow for your extra fudgy tip…but the batter was so delicious I’m not sure I can wait!!!
I hope you enjoyed them Erin! The only way I can possibly wait is if I bake the brownies right before bed. And then brush my teeth as soon as the pan goes in the oven. 😉
They were super good! I HAD to cut a small square last night but then immediately wrapped up the rest! They ended up being extra fudgy too – like you didn’t even need to chew..MMMM!!!!!
I’m so glad Erin! The fudgier the better in my book! 😉
I love the use of nonfat milk and greek yogurt in these brownies. I’m a huge fan of cookies and cream anything, so these are perfect!
Thanks Erin! Cookies ‘n cream treats are so hard to resist!
Amy, your photos are SO gorgeous! and the fudge factor here is CRAZY!! in a good way of course
Thank you so much Heather!! Your sweet words mean a lot to me. 🙂
These brownies look amazing! A chocolate lovers dream! And if they are skinny I can feel less guilty about it!
Thanks Shelby! Definitely meant for chocoholics. 🙂
Ummm… these look incredible!! I thought that fudgy, low-cal brownies could get no better than the ones I made from your site in February… but oreos take everything over the top!! MMM! Making SOON!
Aww you’re so sweet Andrea! I really hope you like them! I can always make you a pan to celebrate that you’re moving up here with me… YAY!!!!! 🙂