Cookies & Cream Pie

It seems like it's been ages since I've posted.
Even though I just made these Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Dog Biscuits for the Secret Recipe Club.

I really feel like I'm out of practice.
Forgotten how to create.
Forgotten how to write even.

I keep saying I'll get back to a more regular schedule of blogging.
And I will. Promise.
I can see it on the horizon and it's looking pretty bright.
It's like the light at the end of the tunnel.

I WILL be back and I WILL be blogging!
Oh, how I've MISSED you all!!!!

Today I have for you a Cookies & Cream Pie.
One of the girls at work, Kelley, has an Oreo addiction.
She LOVES Oreos!
So, when I asked her a couple months ago what she wanted me to make for her birthday (because I'm the resident Birthday Cake maker), she said something with Oreos.
Like that was a surprise!
I made this and she loved it.

Then one of our employees, Corey told us she was moving away.
Since she wouldn't be here for her birthday she requested the Cookies & Cream Pie as a going away treat.
This dessert and the Lemon Squares have been HUGE hits at the office and have been the most requested of all the things I've made.

I found this recipe here.

*this recipe only calls for 1/3 cup sugar which you will add to the cream cheese. The whipped cream will not need any additional sugar added to it as it will become sweetened when combined with the other ingredients.*


Cookies & Cream Pie - makes one 9-inch pie

Ingredients
36 Oreo Cookies, divided plus additional cookies for decorating if desired
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 package 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions
Place 24 cookies in a food processor to make them into fine crumbs.
Pour into a medium bowl and combine with butter.
Place crumbs into the pie plate, spreading them around the bottom and up the sides and place into refrigerator to set.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar and whipping cream. Whip until soft peaks form, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Place whipped cream into a medium bowl and set aside.
In the cleaned bowl of the stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese and the sugar.
Whip until light and fluffy.

Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture.

Place 8 of the remaining cookies into a Ziploc bag and crush. Add them to the filling and fold gently until well combined.

Spread filling into cold pie crust.

Decorate with 4 remaining cookies and additional crumbs if desired.

Refrigerate until firm, at least two hours before serving.

Place into the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
Whip that cream and sugar together (but not too long, you don't want to be making this stuff into buttah!).
Clean that mixing bowl!! (unless you're fortunate enough to have another one)
And actually, you don't really even need to clean it because you're just going to mix all the stuff together anyway.
.

Go ahead, have a taste test. It's ok. I won't tell.

I changed some things in the original recipe.

I didn't use Cool Whip as directed. I don't like the stuff. 

I want the good ol' fattening heavy cream, by George! 

It may take a tad bit longer than just using the artificial stuff in the tub, but it tastes fresher.

Also, I bought 2 whole packs of Oreos, not just the one the recipe called for.

I had to have some cookies while I was creating!!

And...it gave me extras for decorating. So, decorate to your heart's content.

Don't hold back.

Make use of those delicious sandwich cookies!!

Oh, and I didn't cut the Oreos in half as directed either 'cause when I did they got all crumbly like and stuff on me.

How the heck are you supposed to cut an Oreo in half without it breaking all apart?

It ain't happening, people.

I don't know how Kraft did it.

I rate everything I make on a scale of 1-4 and this Cookies and Cream Pie earned 3 1/2 rolling pins.

It was perfect except I thought it was a tad bit too sweet for my liking.

But everyone at worked loved it and my kids are upset that I haven't made it for them yet.

I know what I'll be doing in the next few weeks!

I give you BIG baking hugs and muffins!!!