Easy Oreo Buttercream Frosting Recipe

A perfectly swirled frosting can take a cake from simple to sensational. And my favorite for decorating has to be Oreo Buttercream icing. Its ultra-rich flavor and smooth texture make it a dream to pipe.

Plus, the hint of cookies and cream takes me right back to childhood. I remember my grandma would always let me lick the bowl after making her famous Oreo fluff to spread on our family birthday cakes.

Now, I’m so excited to share my own tried-and-true Oreo frosting recipe so you can create stunning cakes for your next celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Oreo Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Over the years, I’ve learned there are so many things to appreciate about this homemade Oreo Buttercream frosting:

• Simple: You’ll be amazed at how fast and easy it is to make this frosting. It’s a real time-saver, especially when you’re in a pinch.
• Great for piping: This frosting not only tastes great but also has the perfect consistency for piping. It pipes beautifully. The creamy texture makes ornate decorating a breeze. At the bakery, we use it to top cupcakes with swirls and flowers.
• Not too sweet: The cream cheese balances out the sweetness of the Oreos. This is the reason it pairs well with richer recipes like chocolate cakes.
• Versatile: Whether slathering it on a chocolate peanut butter cake or dolloping it atop chocolate strawberry cupcakes, this Oreo frosting is versatile enough to enhance any flavor. I’ve even used it on unique flavors like orange and mocha, and it’s been a hit every time.

How to Make Oreo Buttercream Frosting

Here is the list of ingredients that are enough to generously cover 24 servings:

• Unsalted butter (1 ½ cups, softened just right): You’ll want your butter at room temperature. If you’re in a pinch and forgot to take it out of the fridge, just cut it into chunks, and it’ll soften up in no time.
• Cream cheese (8 oz): Get full-fat, brick-style cream cheese, which adds that rich, smooth texture we all love in frosting.
• Powdered sugar (7 cups): The right amount will give your frosting the perfect consistency and sweetness. It also gives it structure, so don’t skimp on it if you want those swirls to stand tall.
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon should do the trick. It’s just enough to enhance the flavors without overshadowing the star ingredient – the Oreos.
• Salt: Just a pinch, about ¼ teaspoon, to balance out the sweetness.
• Oreo cookies: You’ll need about 12 Oreos, finely crushed, to make about 1 cup of crumbs. Don’t remove the cream from the Oreos – it’s all part of the cookie’s authentic flavor. You can do this in a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin.

Let’s jump right into the steps for making the best Oreo frosting:

Step 1: Start with the frosting base. Use a large mixing bowl and an electric mixer to beat the unsalted butter and cream cheese together until you achieve a smooth and creamy texture.

Step 2: Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar into the mixture. I prefer to add it in parts instead of dumping it all in at once to prevent clouds of sugar from billowing everywhere.

Step 3: Stir in the vanilla extract along with a pinch of salt. Start with ½ tsp vanilla first if you want a more pronounced cookie and cream flavor, but you can always add more.

Step 4: Pulverize them into fine crumbs. Stir these crumbs into your frosting until they’re completely combined.

Some Personal Notes for This Oreo Icing Recipe

Here are some tips and notes from my experiences making Oreo frosting:

• Serving: This recipe yields enough frosting to generously cover 24 cupcakes, two 8″ or 9″ two-layer round cakes, or two 13×9 cakes. It’s always good to have a bit extra, just in case you decide to go heavy on the frosting or have some additional treats to cover.
• Texture: If your frosting feels a bit runny, it’s often because the cream cheese is too warm. To fix this, a quick chill in the fridge should do the trick. Remember to use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese and stick to the specified amount of sugar so that you can achieve that sturdy texture.
• Piping: When it comes to piping, the finer the Oreo crumbs, the better. Your cookies should be pulverized to a fine powder. Large crumbs will clog the tip, which is super frustrating.

I personally sift my crumbs after pulverizing them, just to be extra sure. If you’re using a rolling pin, remember that it might not get them fine enough for smooth piping, so sifting afterward is a smart move.

A handy trick I learned when I’m working solo is to place the piping bag in a large glass or cup, folding the top over the edge. It makes filling the bag so much easier and less messy.

• Storage: You can store this frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If it stiffens up, just let it sit at room temperature until it’s soft enough to stir, then give it a good mix before using. Once applied to your cakes or cupcakes, the frosting can stay out at room temperature for up to a day, but if not used immediately, it’s best kept chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Oreo Frosting Without an Electric Mixer?

You can, but it’ll take some elbow grease. Your butter must be really soft, and be prepared for a good arm workout.

Can I Use Homemade Oreos for the Frosting?

Sure thing! Homemade Oreos would add a special homemade touch to the frosting. You may just need to adjust the amount depending on their size.

Is It Possible to Make Oreo Frosting Less Sweet?

You can reduce the sugar a bit, but remember it might slightly alter the texture. Also, the Oreos themselves add sweetness, so keep that in mind.

Can I Use Any Flavor Oreo?

Yes! I’ve had successful results with golden Oreos, mint creme, and even birthday cake flavors. Feel free to get creative and mix in your favorite limited-edition flavors.

Which Recipes Does Oreo Buttercream Go Well With?

Oreo frosting pairs nicely as a filling or topping for chocolate cakes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and even red velvet cakes. I also love using it in between layers of graham cracker crusts or crumbled cake pieces to make no-bake desserts. It’s rich yet versatile enough for so many treats.

Let me know if you give this easy Oreo frosting Butter Crean recipe a try – I’d love to hear how it turns out.

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