Classic Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies: A Timeless Recipe with Creamy Filling

There’s a special comfort in a truly classic cookie, and these Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies deliver on that promise. While the exact origins of this particular recipe remain a delightful mystery, its use of shortening in the filling strongly suggests it’s an heirloom treasure, passed down through generations. These types of recipes evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding us of simpler times and the comforting aromas of home baking. You’ll find variations of this beloved treat on various culinary platforms, including reputable sites like Taste of Home, where they often feature appealing photos and positive reviews from home bakers.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into something truly extraordinary: soft, chewy oatmeal cookies cradling a luscious, snow-white filling. It’s a perfect example of how traditional techniques can create a truly satisfying dessert, ideal for any occasion from a quiet afternoon snack to a bustling bake sale. The enduring appeal of oatmeal cookies combined with a creamy center makes this a universally loved treat that rarely disappoints.

Understanding Shortening: Pros, Cons, and Culinary Impact

The star of both the cookie and especially the filling in this recipe is shortening. While modern baking often favors butter for its rich flavor, shortening has been a staple in American kitchens for decades, particularly in older recipes. It has distinct characteristics that contribute uniquely to baked goods, and understanding these can help you appreciate why it’s chosen here.

The Advantages of Shortening in Baking

Texture: Shortening is renowned for creating incredibly tender and soft cookies. Unlike butter, which contains water, shortening is 100% fat. This lack of water means less gluten development in the dough, resulting in a more delicate crumb. For the filling, it contributes to an exceptionally smooth, creamy, and fluffy consistency that holds its shape beautifully.
Stability and Shelf Life: Recipes made with shortening tend to have a longer shelf life and are more resistant to spoilage. Its higher melting point compared to butter also means cookies hold up better in warmer temperatures, making them ideal for picnics, lunchboxes, or bake sales where they might sit out for a while.
Cost-Effectiveness: Historically, and often currently, shortening is a more economical option than butter, making this recipe a budget-friendly choice without sacrificing quality or taste. This makes it particularly appealing for large batches, like those needed for events or school fundraisers.
Color Retention: For the filling, shortening is a game-changer. It ensures the marshmallow creme and powdered sugar mixture remains brilliantly white, creating a stark and attractive contrast with the golden-brown oatmeal cookies. Butter would impart a yellowish hue, which might be appealing in other contexts but not for this classic “snowy white” aesthetic.
Crispness in Frying (though not applicable here): While not directly relevant to this cookie, shortening’s high smoke point also makes it excellent for frying, producing crispier results.

Considerations and Potential Drawbacks of Shortening

Flavor Profile: Shortening is largely flavorless, especially compared to butter, which contributes a rich, dairy note. While this neutrality is beneficial for letting other flavors (like oats and spices) shine, some bakers prefer the depth of flavor that butter provides. In this recipe, the cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla in the cookies, along with the sweetness of the filling, compensate for the shortening’s lack of inherent flavor.
Nutritional Concerns: Traditional shortenings were often hydrogenated and contained trans fats, which raised health concerns. However, many modern shortenings are formulated to be trans-fat-free, using interesterified fats instead. When purchasing shortening, it’s wise to check the label for “0g trans fat” to make a more health-conscious choice.
“Quite a Bit” of Shortening: As noted in the original recipe description, these cookies do use a significant amount of shortening, both in the cookie dough and the filling. While this is key to their classic texture and stability, it’s something to be aware of if you’re mindful of fat intake. For some, a blend of shortening and a small amount of butter might offer a good compromise between texture and flavor, though it would alter the traditional aspect of this specific recipe.

Ultimately, the choice to use shortening in this Oatmeal Sandwich Cookie recipe is a deliberate one, designed to achieve specific textural and visual results that are characteristic of this beloved old-fashioned treat. It allows the cookies to remain incredibly soft and tender, and the filling to be perfectly white and fluffy.

Crafting the Perfect Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies: Ingredients Explained

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a vital role in creating the iconic flavor and texture of these cookies. Let’s delve into what each component brings to the table, helping you understand the chemistry behind your delicious results.

For the Oatmeal Cookies:

2-¼ cups All-Purpose Flour (scooped – about 11.5 oz): Flour provides the structure for the cookies. Scooping rather than spooning and leveling can sometimes lead to slight variations, but for best results, spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge for accuracy. The specific weight (11.5 oz) indicates a preference for precision if you have a kitchen scale.
2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon: A warm, aromatic spice that is essential for classic oatmeal cookies. It complements the earthy flavor of the oats beautifully.
1-½ tsp. Baking Soda: This leavening agent reacts with the acidic brown sugar to produce carbon dioxide gas, which helps the cookies rise and spread, contributing to their soft, chewy texture.
1 tsp. Salt: Crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie. Don’t skip it!
½ tsp. Freshly Ground Nutmeg: Adds a subtle, warm, and slightly pungent complexity that elevates the spice profile. Freshly ground nutmeg offers a more intense aroma and flavor than pre-ground.
1-½ cups Shortening: As discussed, this is key for a tender crumb, soft texture, and cookie stability.
2-⅔ cups Brown Sugar: The molasses in brown sugar provides moisture, which contributes to the cookies’ chewiness, and a deeper, caramel-like flavor compared to white sugar.
4 Large Eggs: Eggs bind the ingredients together, add richness, and contribute to the cookies’ structure and moisture.
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract: A universal flavor enhancer that rounds out the sweetness and spice, adding depth to the cookie’s profile.
4 cups Old-Fashioned Oats: The heart of an oatmeal cookie! Old-fashioned (rolled) oats provide a hearty, chewy texture and distinct oat flavor. Quick oats are too finely cut and will result in a different, often less desirable texture. Instant oats should be avoided.

For the Creamy Filling:

¾ cup Shortening: Essential for the filling’s smooth, fluffy texture, stability, and its bright white color.
3 cups Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Provides sweetness and, due to its fine texture, dissolves easily to create a smooth, lump-free filling.
7 oz. Jar Marshmallow Creme: This is the secret ingredient for an exceptionally fluffy, slightly sticky, and uniquely delicious filling. It adds a wonderful chewiness and marshmallow flavor that sets this sandwich cookie apart.
1-3 Tbs. Milk: Used to adjust the consistency of the filling. Start with a small amount and add more as needed to reach your desired level of fluffiness and spreadability. Whole milk is generally recommended for richer flavor.

Step-by-Step Baking and Assembly Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions carefully to ensure your Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies turn out perfectly soft, chewy, and deliciously filled.

Preparing the Oatmeal Cookies:

Cream Shortening and Brown Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the 1-½ cups shortening and 2-⅔ cups brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which is crucial for the cookies’ texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Incorporate Eggs: Add the 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the next. This helps create a smooth emulsion and prevents the batter from separating.
Beat in Vanilla: Stir in the 2 tsp. vanilla extract until just combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 2-¼ cups flour, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1-½ tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, and ½ tsp. freshly ground nutmeg. Ensure all dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed to ensure even distribution in the dough.
Add Dry to Wet Mixture: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in tougher cookies.
Stir in Oats: Gently fold in the 4 cups old-fashioned oats by hand. Stir until the oats are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. You can also use parchment paper for easier cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still slightly soft. Do not overbake, as this will result in dry cookies.
Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. Cooling completely is essential before adding the filling to prevent it from melting.

Preparing and Assembling the Filling:

Cream Filling Ingredients: In a clean mixing bowl, combine the ¾ cup shortening, 3 cups powdered sugar, and 7 oz. jar marshmallow creme. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until well combined and fluffy.
Adjust Consistency: Begin by adding 1 tablespoon of milk and beat until smooth. Continue to add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition, until you achieve a light, fluffy, and easily spreadable consistency. You might use anywhere from 1 to 3 tablespoons, depending on your desired thickness.
Assemble Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, spread a generous amount of the creamy filling on the flat bottom of half of the cookies.
Create Sandwiches: Gently top with the remaining cookies, pressing down lightly to create a sandwich.

This recipe yields approximately 4 ½ dozen sandwich cookies, though the exact number can vary based on the size you make each cookie. This generous batch makes them perfect for sharing, parties, or freezing for later enjoyment.

Tips for Achieving Cookie Perfection and Delicious Variations

To ensure your Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies are the best they can be, here are some invaluable tips and ideas for delightful variations.

Tips for Perfect Cookies:

Accurate Measuring: Baking is a science. Use proper measuring techniques, especially for flour (spoon into cup, then level) and shortening (pack tightly into cup, then level). If you have a kitchen scale, use the provided weight for flour.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and shortening are at room temperature for optimal creaming and emulsification. This creates a smoother batter and better cookie texture.
Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, leading to tougher cookies.
Use Old-Fashioned Oats: This is critical for the characteristic chewy texture. Quick or instant oats will yield a mushier, less satisfying cookie.
Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Even Baking: Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even browning. If your oven has hot spots, this is especially important.
Cool Completely: Do not rush the cooling process before adding the filling. Warm cookies will melt the shortening in the filling, leading to a messy result.
Storage: Store the assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze well for up to 2-3 months; layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container.

Exciting Variations to Explore:

Spice It Up: Enhance the spice profile by adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the cookie dough for an even warmer flavor.
Citrus Zest: For a bright twist, add 1-2 teaspoons of orange or lemon zest to the cookie dough.
Nuts or Chocolate: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips (white chocolate chips would be particularly good with the creamy filling) along with the oats for added texture and flavor.
Maple or Brown Butter Filling: While this recipe champions a white filling, you could experiment by adding a touch of maple extract to the filling, or even browning a small amount of butter (cooling it completely) and incorporating it for a nutty flavor, though this would change the color.
Coffee or Cocoa Boost: For a mocha-flavored cookie, replace 1-2 tablespoons of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder and add ½ teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough.
Coconut Crunch: Stir in ½ cup of shredded coconut with the oats for an extra tropical twist.

The Enduring Charm of Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

These Classic Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a delightful journey into the heart of traditional home baking. Their soft, chewy texture, comforting spiced oat flavor, and luxurious creamy filling make them an irresistible treat for all ages. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, a bake sale, or simply to enjoy with a cup of coffee or milk, they consistently bring smiles and satisfaction.

The affordability of the ingredients, combined with their impressive yield and excellent shelf stability, makes them a practical choice for large gatherings or for stocking your cookie jar. Embracing the use of shortening in this recipe means you’re not just baking cookies; you’re preserving a piece of culinary history, creating a dessert that stands the test of time both in taste and appeal. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to create a batch of these truly exceptional oatmeal sandwich cookies.