Cookies & Cream Recipe

Prep

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

In a medium bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, cream the unsalted butter (softened to room temperature) with the granulated sugar and packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Scrape the bowl as needed.

Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until incorporated, about 30 seconds.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry flour-cocoa mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.

Fold in the bittersweet chocolate chips, if using, by hand with a spatula until distributed evenly throughout the dough.

Gently fold the coarsely chopped chocolate sandwich cookies into the dough, leaving some larger chunks for texture. Mix until the pieces are evenly incorporated but dough remains slightly shaggy.

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion dough into 1.5 tablespoon (about 24–28 g) rounds and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow spreading. For larger cookies, use 2 tablespoon scoops and increase spacing.

If desired, press a halved sandwich cookie gently into the top center of each dough mound for a decorative garnish.

Bake in the preheated oven for 9–12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking for even browning. Cookies should look set at the edges and slightly soft in the center.

Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar if desired and sprinkle a very small pinch of flaky sea salt on top of a few cookies for contrast.

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months (freeze flat on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag).