A chocoholic’s dream! Fudgy brownies stuffed with Oreo chunks and even more pressed on top. You won’t miss the calories in these rich yet lightened-up treats!
Photos updated August 2017!
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 |
Yields: 16 brownies
These brownies are ultra fudgy and chocolaty, thanks to the Oreo cookie chunks! They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
- 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.
Notes: White whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, or regular whole wheat flour may be substituted for the all-purpose flour.
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}
View Nutrition Information
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
Chocolate Cupcakes with Cookies ‘n Cream Frosting
Cookies ‘n Cream Pudding Cookies
Skinny Cookies ‘n Cream Oatmeal
FAQs
One chocolate chip cookie also has considerably fewer calories than a brownie, with the average brownie containing about 130 calories. Considering that brownies and chocolate chip cookies have comparable nutritional profiles, neither is better for you than the other.
Are brownies healthier than cake? ›
Brownies can be healthier than cake as they contain more chocolate and less amount of sugar and flour. For example, A 6-ounce brownie has 600 calories and a 6-ounce pieces of cake has 250 calories. Also, brownies have more protein and fiber, which can help you to stay full longer.
Are brownies high in sugar? ›
A standard 43-gram Hershey's bar, for example, contains about 25 grams of sugar, 21 of which are added. Similarly, a 39-gram pouch of Swiss Miss hot chocolate has 23 grams of added sugar; and a 26-gram Betty Crocker brownie serves up 15 grams. In other words, your typical brownie may be almost 60% sugar.
What are the benefits of eating brownies? ›
Brownies are a great source of protein and fiber, which helps you feel full longer. Protein also works as an appetite suppressant, so you won't be as tempted to snack on unhealthy foods later on in the day. There are so many reasons why adding brownies to your diet is a great idea. First of all, they're delicious!
Can a brownie be healthy? ›
Aside from being a source of antioxidants, chocolate has also been found to help lower blood pressure and even increase “good” cholesterol. Darker chocolate is also known to have anti-inflammatory qualities, so as long as you're enjoying it in moderation, a delicious chocolate brownie can be great for your health.
Can I eat a brownie every day? ›
Nutrition Facts of Brownies
Eating one brownie every day could fit into your discretionary calorie category. As long as you stick to only one, or maybe one-half of a brownie each day (though that can take a lot of willpower), the damage done by the brownies should be negligible.
What is the healthiest cake to eat? ›
Angel Food Cake
Angel food cake is healthy because It does not contain egg yolk and butter. Without egg yolk and butter these cakes are low on calories and fats. A single slice of Angel Food Cake contains just almost around 70 calories.
Is it okay to eat a slice of cake every day? ›
The Bottom Line
Dessert can absolutely fit into a balanced diet. Zooming out and being mindful of your overall eating pattern is more important than hyperfocusing on one food. Allowing yourself to eat the dessert without guilt can help improve your relationship with food and keep you feeling satisfied.
What is unhealthy about brownies? ›
If you want to eat brownies all day, you probably a) really like brownies and b) feel like you are not allowed to eat brownies. Brownies are considered by most people to be “unhealthy” because they are high in sugar, fat, and calories.
Can Type 2 diabetes eat brownies? ›
Sure, the average brownie may not be the ideal choice if you have diabetes, but that doesn't mean brownies are off-limits for good. By making a few tweaks to the standard recipe, you can reduce the amount of added sugar and carbs in your treat, while maintaining all of the same ooey-gooey goodness you love.
-- idea to experiment with various sugar substitutes for more natural and healthful alternatives.
- Honey. Honey is not only sweet, but it's packed with an array of health benefits! ...
- Maple Syrup. Maple syrup contains a fair bit of sugar, so consume it rather minimally. ...
- Applesauce. ...
- Molasses. ...
- Cane Sugar. ...
- Coconut Palm Sugar.
First, brownies are plain addictive.
They're so delicious. The rich chocolate taste, along with the dense and creamy texture will keep you unwrapping one Dello Mano Classic Luxury Brownie after another. It isn't too soft and fluffy like a chocolate cake, and it's never tough and dry.
Why are eggs important in brownies? ›
Eggs create structure and stability in a batter, they add moisture and impact the texture of the final baked good. Their ability to assist with bringing ingredients together makes for a smooth, velvety brownie batter.
Why do brownies get a skin? ›
Pia Sörensen, to find out the science behind the shininess. Sörensen, a PhD in Chemical Engineering and Applied Materials, hypothesizes that the thin layer of brownie skin forms from a foamy layer of air bubbles suspended in relatively starch-starved liquid batter.
Why are cookies better then brownies? ›
There are little to no crumbs that fall from it, leading to an easy cleanup and an overall divine texture. Another reason why the cookie is superior to the brownie. The problem with brownies is not the texture, but the flavor of the treat.
Are cookies or chocolate healthier? ›
Only difference between them is that the calories in chocolate mainly comes from sugar and saturated fats. Whereas calories present in biscuits come from starch and mono-saturated fats. So , biscuits without any salty content in it can be considered little healthier than chocolates.
Are chocolate chip cookies better than brownies? ›
Although you can have milk with your brownies, you can't dunk them. Is there anything more comforting than chocolate chip cookies dunked in an ice cold glass of milk? Plus, slather some ice cream between a couple of cookies and you have a deliciously portable treat. You really can't do the same with two brownies.
What has more calories, a chocolate chip cookie or a brownie? ›
In general, however, a homemade chocolate chip cookie is likely to provide about 75 calories and 4.5 grams of fat. A homemade brownie (made from a prepared mix like Betty Crocker) is likely to provide about 100 calories and one gram of fat.
