Cakesters

Photo by Heidi

A couple times a year, we buy Oreo Cakesters as a treat.  The kids love them.  I've been making double-chocolate chip cookies with cake mix for years, so I thought I would adapt that recipe to make homemade cakesters. This recipe is very similar to Elise's Oreo recipe.  If you want to use butter, try this recipe.  If you prefer shortening, see the Oreo recipe.  Elise also provides useful tips for rolling out the dough to cut fun shapes.

Cookies

1 package devil's food cake mix

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat half of the dry cake mix, the butter, vanilla and eggs in a large bowl on medium speed until smooth, or mix with a spoon.  Stir in remaining cake mix.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls (I use a small scoop) onto an ungreased cookie sheet (I line the cookie sheets with parchment paper).  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or just until edges are set and tops are slightly cracked.  Cool one minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely before filling.  Makes about 50 cookies (enough for 25 cakesters).

Filling

1/4 cup (half a stick) unsalted butter

3 - 4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

milk

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar to combine.  Add vanilla. Gradually add milk (about one teaspoon at a time) until creamy and easy to spread. Fill each of half the cooled cookies with about one teaspoon filling and gently press another cookie on top.

To make double-chocolate chip cookies, add 1 cup chocolate chips to the cookie dough and bake as directed.