11 Great Ways to Use Oreos for National Oreo Day

Oreos are eternal, and so good they have their own holiday: National Oreo Day on March 6, in case you needed an excuse to celebrate (i.e. eat a bunch of Oreos). If you do, we’ve rounded up 11 awesome Oreo recipes for the occasion. They may not be vegan, but Oreos are impossibly delish, one of those crave-it-as-you-eat-it treats where you’re thirsty for a 10 gallon jug of milk even as you reach for another cookie, never daring to break the spell of chocolate crumble and ambiguously tasty cream filling. The only thing that makes them better is making them into other desserts, so here you go.

But first, here’s the 411 on the Oreo itself. It was invented in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company (now affectionately known as Nabisco) at its Chelsea factory, where Chelsea Market now sits. This stretch between 15th and 16th is now known as Oreo Way (which feels more “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” than NY real estate, but we’ll let it go).

The OG Oreo had a wreath around its edge and “OREO” inscribed in the center (you never saw that coming, riiiight?) and was sold in the US for 25 cents a pound. And the first crispy, crunchy cookie was sold in Hoboken, New Jersey.

The modern iteration was created by Nabisco food scientist Sam Porcello, who holds five patents on the Oreo. No idea what they are for, but I’m impressed nonetheless.

And today, the Oreo lives its own tale of greatness, nestled between Twix bars and Snickers at your local bodega, waiting to be consumed by delirious toddlers everywhere. Sure, Hydrox diehards are out there, but America has voted, and the Oreo is the ruler of them all (when it comes to sandwich cookies). Try them in some of these ridiculously tasty dessert recipes.

1. Dirt Cake

Chowhound

You loved it when you were three and for all the right reasons. Part chocolate mousse, part airy whipped cream goodness, part crumbly chocolate cookies, the dirt cake’s still got it. Gummy worms optional. Get our Dirt Cake recipe.

2. Ice Cream Cupcakes

Chowhound

Tender chocolate cupcakes topped with ice cream and Oreos. If this feels like the bodacious dessert you always tried (and usually failed) to sweet talk your parents into, that’s because…it is. Get our Ice Cream Cupcakes recipe.

3. Chocolate Mousse Pie

Chowhound

Crisp chocolate cookie crust, creamy whipped chocolate mousse, and fluffy homemade whipped cream. Sharing optional. Get our Chocolate Mousse Pie recipe.

4. Oreo Dessert Lasagna

Sugar Apron

Dessert lasagna might be even better than regular lasagna. Serve this deliciousness in small portions for a little bite of heaven. Get the Oreo Dessert Lasagna recipe.

5. Oreo Truffles

Cooking Classy

Only three ingredients, yet these rich bites are perfection. Throw ’em together in under 30 minutes for off-the-cuff deliciousness your guests will love. Get the Oreo Truffles recipe.

6. Oreo Lava Cakes

Kirbie Cravings

Molten lava cakes, but with a cookies-and-cream Oreo pudding lava flow tentatively trapped in the center, until you unleash it with the press of your fork. Oh, yeah. Get the Oreo Lava Cakes.

7. Fudgy Oreo Brownies

Marsha’s Baking Addiction

The comfort of fudgy, chocolatey brownies with the extra kick of Oreo chunks. Couldn’t be bad, amiright? Get the Fudgy Oreo Brownies recipe.

8. Mini Oreo Cheesecakes

Live Well Bake Often

Decadent little desserts, but only two or three bites each—one if you’re ambitious. (For an easier version that you can cut into bigger portions, try Oreo Cheesecake Bars too.) Get the Mini Oreo Cheesecakes recipe.

9. Oreo Chunk Cookies

Dinner Then Dessert

You’ve seen those Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies, right? Well these just get right to it—skip the middle man (or cookie), if you will—and mix generous Oreo chunks into the batter for an indulgent choco lover’s dream. You’re welcome. Get the Oreo Chunk Cookies recipe.

10. Chocolate Chip Cookies-and-Cream Ice Cream Bars

Chowhound

The best of all worlds. A match made in heaven: cookies and ice cream, come together underneath a creamy chocolate blanket of dessert bar bliss. This recipe is so good that it’s worth enjoying even during the frigid winter months. Get our Chocolate Chip Cookies-and-Cream Ice Cream Bars recipe.

11. Peanut Butter Oreo Pie

Greens n Chocolate

A personal favorite and totally on the money. The richness of the peanut butter, the crunch of the Oreo, the ying/yang of the textures—doesn’t get much better than this. Get the Peanut Butter Oreo Pie recipe.

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If you're craving pure cookies and double-stuf just isn't enough for you, here you go.

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How to Plan an Orange-Themed Brunch

I LOVE a good themed party, and I’m known for going hard. I love dressing top to bottom in themed clothing, but what I love even more is creating a menu so that even my snacks and drinks go along with the topic at hand. When it comes to hosting a brunch, did you know a flavor could be a theme? And with warmer weather fast approaching, what better than a nice, light, and summery one? I’m here to help you through hosting your own orange-themed brunch. Every single item on your menu—from the mimosas to the main course—will be citrusy and absolutely delicious. Orange you glad?

Drinks

Mimosas

Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock

Okay, the obvious one here is the mimosa. I mean, what’s brunch without about 16 of them? Super easy to make, the mimosa is just one part champagne, one part orange juice (although, I wouldn’t judge if the ratio is a bit more heavy on the champagne). Add a little liquor at your own risk!

If you want a little more variety on your drink menu, however, I’ll share my personal brunch secret with you. I’ve made these mimosas a few times and they are always a huge hit! Just add a bit of heavy cream to a standard mimosa (until it’s a light orange shade), and you’ve got a cocktail that tastes JUST like a Creamsicle—only the best summer treat ever. If you’re worried that this may be a super heavy drink, rest-assured that I always find this is just as light and bubbly as a regular mimosa.

Peugeot Esprit Champagne Glasses, 4 for $59.95 on Amazon

These glasses are designed to combine the effects of good bubble circulation and optimal air contact.

Get Classy

If you’re looking for a much stronger, much more citrusy drink, follow this Chowhound recipe for a pretty intense sangria (and by intense, I mean it’s WAY more than just wine). Drink this one carefully, and be sure to enjoy that orange flavor.

Finally, if alcohol isn’t really your thing, try this sweet and frothy take on a classic glass of orange juice.

Main Course

What is brunch without kickass food that makes you feel about 50 pounds heavier? Make sure you buy a ton of oranges, because you’re about to show this orange-themed brunch who’s boss.

Challah French Toast with Orange and Strawberries

Chowhound

A staple breakfast food that I can’t get enough of is French toast. When I say I can’t get enough of it, I mean that I literally ate it today. With orange zest in the batter and orange slices on top, this French toast will be sure to fill your guests up and leave them seeing, well, orange. Get our Challah French Toast with Orange and Strawberries recipe.

Blackberry Orange Muffins

Chowhound

I love when I go out to brunch and they bring out a billion mini muffins to start me off the right way. I mean, you really can’t go wrong with muffins. They’re easy to make, and they’re perfect for starting (or finishing) a top-notch brunch. And seriously, how good do these muffins sound? The first bite you take in an orange-themed brunch should be tart and sweet, so you really can’t go wrong here. Get our Blackberry Orange Muffins recipe.

Brown Butter Crepes with Orange Beurre Blanc

Chowhound

If you’re feeling particularly fancy (and patient), might I suggest crepes? They’re light, delicious, and always a hit! And what goes better in a crepe than some fresh fruit? Try out these fresh and rich brown butter crepes with fruit and cheese. The orange in this dish comes in the form of a beurre blanc which, after a quick Google search, I can semi-confidently say is a kind of butter sauce. I know, why not just say butter sauce? Get our Brown Butter Crepes with Orange Beurre Blanc recipe.

Cranberry-Orange Quick Bread

Chowhound

If you choose to just stick with scrambled eggs, you’re going to need some bread or toast on the side. One of my absolute favorite flavor combinations out there is orange and cranberry, so I’d be crazy to not include a recipe for this fresh quick bread. I suggest toasting it to really get in that brunch spirit! Get our Cranberry-Orange Quick Bread recipe.

Dessert

Whenever I host a brunch, dessert is always the most stressful part. I like to do something sweet that still goes with the breakfast theme, so I usually end up just making a giant cinnamon roll or a plain old pound cake and call it a day. But there are no oranges in a cinnamon roll, so I did some research to help you keep up your theme.

Cranberry-Orange Shortbread

Remember when I said the cranberry-orange flavor combo is food’s gift to mankind? Use that to your advantage. Try this fruity shortbread with almond streusel. It’s the perfect way to polish off your meal. Keep this recipe in your back pocket too, because it’d be a really great holiday dessert. Get our Cranberry-Orange Shortbread recipe.

Orange Angel Food Cake

Chowhound

Here’s a fancier way around making a simple pound cake and passing it off as a brunch dessert. This citrusy angel food cake is so light and fluffy that you won’t feel guilty about having a little slice after eating your weight in crepes and French toast. Plus, it’s literally a cake made from oranges. That’ll show your guests that you can see a themed brunch all the way through! Get our Orange Angel Food Cake recipe.

Related Video: How to Bake Brownies in an Orange

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Are Oreos Really Vegan?

For over a century, Oreos have been one of the most delicious and versatile cookies around. Whether you dip it in milk, use it as a fro-yo topping (or ice cream mix-in), or put it in cheesecake, there really is no wrong way to eat an Oreo. But are Oreos vegan?

Based on the ingredients listed on the box you would assume that yes, they’re a dream food for vegans. According to the packaging, Oreo cookies contain: “unbleached enriched flour, sugar, palm and/or canola oil, cocoa powder, high fructose corn syrup, leavening, corn starch, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin, and unsweetened chocolate.” No dairy! No butter! No eggs! Hooray, not a trace of animal products in sight!

Cross-Contact with Milk

So obviously Oreos are vegan, right? Well, not so fast. Because the FAQ page on the Oreo UK website begs to differ. (The U.S. Oreo FAQ is a little less direct—they won’t even come down with an official reply to the question of whether Oreos are black or brown!—but notes that up to 11 food allergens may be present in the cookies.) The UK FAQ, in response to the question of whether the products are suitable for vegans, bluntly states: “Oreos have milk as cross-contact and therefore are not suitable for vegans.”

So what exactly does this explanation mean? Cross-contact essentially implies that tiny amounts of milk could have come into contact with the cookies or the equipment used to make them. Basically there’s no guarantee that the Oreo you’re about to eat contains traces of milk, but there is a slight possibility that it might.

Bone Char Processed Sugar

There is also the possibility that the sugar in Oreos could be processed with bone char. Refined white sugar (and powdered sugar, which is just a more finely processed, and hence fluffier, version of the granulated stuff) is often made from sugarcane, so you might also assume sugar itself is vegan. But some producers use animal-derived bone char to bleach and refine the sugar—you can find sugar that is labeled vegan, but if you’re in doubt, you might want to stick to maple syrup, agave, stevia, and other always-vegan sugar substitutes.

So, Are Oreos Vegan?

Here’s the final verdict when it comes to Oreo cookies: If you’re a vegan and adhere to a strict diet free of all animal products, you probably want to avoid Oreos just to be on the safe side.

But if you’re really missing out, you can always try making your own at home! (Even if you’re not vegan, this ensures your dessert will contain way fewer processed ingredients than the store-bought sleeves of cookies.)

Easy Vegan Oreos

Feasting on Fruit

These may not look much like the perfectly uniform and rather flat Oreos from Nabisco, but they’re deeply chocolatey and crunchy—and not only vegan, but gluten-free. There’s no oil in them either! And there are only five ingredients total! Be sure to buy a certified vegan brand of powdered sugar for the coconut cream-based filling—and feel free to make them double-stuffed. Get the Easy Vegan Oreos recipe.

Raw Vegan Oreo Cookies

Minimalist Baker

For a raw alternative that’s also vegan and gluten-free, try these date-sweetened cookies with almonds, coconut oil, maple syrup, and cocoa powder. They have a sweetened coconut butter filling, but be warned: you won’t get quite the same snap you may be craving when you bite into one. Get the Raw Vegan Oreo Cookies recipe.

Dirt Cake

Chowhound

Enjoying cookies on their own is sweet, but incorporating them into other desserts may be even better. While the raw Oreo version probably won’t work so well here, the crisp vegan Oreo recipe up top should make a great chocolate cookie pie crust or edible “dirt” once whizzed up in a food processor. To finish veganizing this easy, layered parfait, just swap in a vegan chocolate mousse and whipped coconut cream for the dairy topping (like the components in this Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Coconut Cream recipe). Get our Dirt Cake recipe.

Related Video: How to Make Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

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What Are the Best Food Podcasts Right Now?

Thanks to the development of some very good culinary podcasts, today’s food-obsessed are asking each other, “What are you listening to?” as much as they are “What shows are you watching?” and “What books are you cooking from?”

Now, on your long commute to and from work, or at the gym, or simply unwinding at home, the culinarily curious can dig into a diverse plate of listenable food content. Quirky, fascinating stories behind the most banal-seeming of foods; the connection between what we eat and who we are; the latest food industry news—these are just a quick taste of what’s being covered on today’s best food podcasts.

Proof

Proof Podcast

In this young podcast, veteran cooking authority America’s Test Kitchen branches out from its usual tried-and-tested recipe testing format. Admittedly, the episode topics don’t have much street appeal: In the debut 30-ish minute episode you’ll hear all about celery; in another, the focus is ketchup. But instead of relaying best cooking practices or doing side-by-side brand evaluations, the show broaches the infinitely more interesting under-told backstories (celery’s “it” veggie status in the Victorian era) and big-picture questions (does ketchup belong on a burger?). Not at all straight-laced and clinical, the tone of the show is more lighthearted fun mixed with genuine nerdy curiosity (especially the LOL-inducing episode about flavor; I won’t spoil it, but dirty sock-flavored Jelly Bellys are involved).Listen!

The Splendid Table

NPR

If you’re looking for one food podcast that ticks all the boxes, The Splendid Table is it. Hosted by the esteemed and effortlessly relatable food writer/personality Francis Lam, this diverse program almost feels like listening to the audio version of the best newspaper food section. There are interviews with experts, short stories, history lessons, opinion pieces, recipes and cooking tips, audience Q&As, you name it. Episodes run about an hour long and range in topic from “food in the age of social media” and “the history of sauces” to “the art of the sandwich” and the “power of scent.”Listen!

The Sporkful

The Sporkful

There is so much more to food than simply what’s happening on the plate. It’s a powerful insight into and formative force on everything from history, science, culture, politics, and, as this podcast explores, people. Billed as a show that’s “not for foodies, it’s for eaters,” the James Beard Award-winning program hosted by Dan Pashman covers everything from eating your emotions to why we expect chefs of certain cuisines to look a certain way.Listen!

Spilled Milk

Spilled Milk

The podcast world has seen comedy successfully applied to all manner of topics (i.e. true crime, American history), so why not also food? If you need something to break up the serious, cerebral food talk stuff in your library, consider adding this long-running show from writer/comedians Molly Wizenberg and Matthew Amster-Burton into the rotation. Each week, the two funny friends take about half an hour to discuss whatever comes to mind on an all-over-the-map assortment of food topics (from Hot Pockets and movie candy to beets, mayonnaise, and childhood “sick foods”). It’s a simple, satisfying non-foodie palate cleanser guaranteed to make you smile.LIsten!

Gravy

Gravy Podcast

Southern food history and culture is rich. And not just because of the cuisine’s well-documented relationship with butter and deep-fried-everything. In this smartly produced series from the Southern Foodways Alliance, the culinary landscape of the American South is explored through stories that go beyond the obvious and expected. Like about Montgomery, Alabama’s burgeoning Korean food scene; or the fact that chili powder, a southern kitchen staple ingredient, was invented by a German immigrant; or how a Texas viticulturist helped rescue French vineyards in the late 19th century.Listen!

Meat + Three

Meet + Three

If you’re craving quality culinary audio content, Brooklyn-based Heritage Radio Network offers up a veritable food court of options. For the story-seekers, there’s Evolutionaries, a docu-style series in which industry powerhouses share the experiences that helped shape them and their careers. In another corner, you’ve got science-y (and infectiously animated) chef Dave Arnold answering your nerdiest, quirkiest culinary quandaries on Cooking Issues. And let’s not forget Radio Cherry Bombe—even more relevant in this #metoo movement era—serving up interviews with the women shaping today’s food world. But if you’re looking for more of a snack than a full meal, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Meat + Three. Each 20-plus minute episode uses the traditional southern “meat and three sides” model to discuss the week’s most relevant food news: One topic gets the main protein star treatment, while three short stories round out the audible plate. Where so many great food podcasts take a longer, deep-dive into the food-for-thought format, it’s nice to add something quick and easy to digest to the mix.Listen!

Gastropod

Gastropod

“Food through the lens of science and history” may sound more like heady, Food Studies classroom fodder than entertaining podcast, but hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilly do a great job of keeping the inquests on the approachable and friendly side of geeky curiosity. Covering everything from how the carrot became orange to why certain animals (chickens, cows, pigs) became the go-to meats of choice, I imagine this show appealing to people who enjoy watching shows like Food Network’s Unwrapped and anything that Alton Brown as a host.Listen!

Bonus: I’ll Drink to That

If you’re thirsty for good content about that oh-so-important food-adjacent topic—wine—you’ve got to subscribe to I’ll Drink to That, hosted by former NYC sommelier Levi Dalton. The show’s list of interviewees is a veritable who’s who of major industry talent, from sommeliers and importers to legendary winemakers themselves, and Dalton has the kind of easy nature and peer-level comfortability to coax out some really good stories.

Hungry for more food media? Check out The Best Food Shows on Netflix Right Now.

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Make Cajun Seasoning the Star of Your Mardi Gras Dinner

Call it Creole or Cajun, the sort of spicy seasoning blend typical of so many New Orleans dishes is perfect for jazzing up your meals, especially on Mardi Gras. Whether you’re looking for something traditional like gumbo, a quicker dinner, or just an easy Mardi Gras party snack, these are great ways to work that Big Easy flavor into your food.

First, of course, you have to make your Cajun Seasoning Blend—sure, you can just pick up a canister of Tony Chachere’s, but it takes no time at all to mix your own for the ultimate bright, fresh, spicy flavor. Weather permitting, make a big batch and use it to season the water for a crawfish boil—but when you’re stuck indoors, Cajun seasoning still brings a warm, festive flavor to lots of other dishes (including the Shrimp and Okra Hushpuppies you see up above).

1. Cajun Seasoning Blend

If for some reason you haven’t made yourself a batch of this yet, here’s the link. In as much time as it takes to read this article, you can have a fresh container of this spicy, complex blend of NOLA flavors. You just have to promise not to say “BAM!” when you use it. Ever. Get our Cajun Seasoning Blend recipe.

2. Charred Green Beans with Cajun Dipping Sauce

Chowhound

Fire roasting green beans bring an extra level of smokey goodness to this dish. Keeping summer alive doesn’t get easier than this. Not to mention the addictive dipping sauce is the perfect way to use that Cajun blend. Get our Charred Green Beans with Cajun Dipping Sauce recipe.

3. Butter Cajun Popcorn

Taste of Home

Double it. Trust us, just make twice as much as you think you’ll need. Cajun popcorn is pretty much snack nirvana, and you’ll want bowl after bowl of this while you’re bingeing on Netflix food shows. Get the Butter Cajun Popcorn recipe.

4. Maque Choux

Chowhound

The summer side you’ve never had, maque choux is essentially Cajun succotash. Every cook has their own perfect recipe, but a few big pinches of that seasoning make all those picnic corn salads you had taste like cardboard. This southern Louisiana specialty deserves wider recognition as the ideal vehicle for the flavors of summer—but use frozen veggies and you can make it any time of year. Get our Maque Choux recipe.

5. Spicy Cajun Salmon Sandwiches

The Cozy Apron

Using your Cajun seasoning as a rub for fish is a great way to use up a larger quantity of the spice. Broiling the salmon keeps it moist inside, and the lemon aioli adds a cooling element to counteract the spice of the fish. These sandwiches will quickly become a part of your weeknight dinner rotation. Get the Spicy Cajun Salmon Sandwiches recipe.

6. Shrimp Po’ Boy

mphillips007/Getty Images

A little more involved, these fried shrimp po’ boys are definitely worth it, and a classic example of New Orleans’ great sandwich tradition. Get the Shrimp Po’ Boy recipe.

7. Wild Rice Jambalaya

Chowhound

Dishes like this are why you made that Cajun blend in the first place. Classic jambalaya keeps incredibly well in the freezer, so stock up now or make some for anyone you know with a baby on the way! Get our Wild Rice Jambalaya recipe.

8. Baked Honey Cajun Shrimp

Natasha’s Kitchen

Honey, soy sauce, and your seasoning magic! Just three ingredients come together to transform shrimp into an easy explosion of flavor that’s versatile enough to eat with quinoa or a salad, in tacos, or just standing over the stove and licking your fingers. Get the Baked Honey Cajun Shrimp recipe.

9. Shrimp Etouffee

Grandbaby Cakes

The ultimate use for your Cajun seasoning is this shrimp etouffee. It was destined for this. There is no nobler cause than this historic recipe. In fact, you might start looking up plane tickets and real estate in NOLA after this one. You’ve been warned. Get the Shrimp Etouffee recipe.

10. Cajun Deviled Eggs

Divas Can Cook

Deviled eggs are endlessly adaptable, and if you like spice, adding Cajun seasoning is a brilliant move. Get the Cajun Deviled Eggs recipe.

11. Cajun Souffle

Jon Melendez

Another way to marry Cajun spice and eggs is this brunch-ready souffle. Get the Cajun Souffle.

Related Video: Get the Party Started with These Mardi Gras Cocktails

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10 Slow Cooker Recipes That Will Save Your Busy Week

Shrimp Etouffee

Shrimp Etouffee! This classic Louisiana stew is made with shrimp, the Holy Trinity of onion, celery, and green pepper, and a simple roux to thicken it up. Serve it over rice for a true Cajun meal!

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