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    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    Cara's Homemade Candy Cane "Oreo's"

    December 13, 2012 by keepinitkind 28 Comments

    Back in the day, my friend used to host a cookie exchange party every year.  Everyone would bring about 40-50 cookies and the recipe printed out on an index card.  Each person would get to take 2 of each type of cookie as well as the recipe for each cookie.  It was an awesome party and it's something I miss doing each year.  I am ecstatic to tell you all, however, that through December 24th, I will be hosting a virtual, vegan version of this cookie swap party, with tons of guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers.  Keep checking back to see who brings what type of cookie!  

    I have a tendency to be a little introverted and I sometimes feel awkward or shy when meeting new people.  When I met Cara, from Fork and Beans, however, I instantly felt right at ease.  Cara has such a gentle, warm spirit and she is so down-to-earth (all of which shines through in her blog), that it's hard not to feel right at home with her.  She is a truly beautiful person, inside and out.  And if that wasn't enough, Cara is also a gluten/dairy/egg-free cooking wizard.  I'm sure you are all familiar with her incredible creations on Fork and Beans, just like I am, so you can understand why I am so excited to have Cara here today!    

    One of the perks of being a part of the blogging community is that you get to meet some amazing people. Some of them, you keep in contact through the computer, others you actually get the special pleasure of meeting in person and calling them a friend. I have the absolute pleasure of actually knowing Kristy...and this is one fabulous soul! Not that I need to tell you that--it's why you come back for more on a weekly basis. You can sense that this girl is the real deal, and believe me, she is.
    oreo4
    When it comes to cookies, I don't mess around. When the holidays approach, I immediately want to eat a Candy Cane Oreo from Trader Joe's because I am classy like that. Now I know that Oreos are technically "vegan" to begin with but what happens when you find yourself unable to eat the gluten from the cookies?
    oreo2
    What better baking experiment to partake in then to create a gluten-free and vegan holiday sprinkled Oreo, hand-dipped in chocolate and decorated with candy canes? I knew you would agree... Feel free to leave them undipped in chocolate if you so desire. Then again, everything tastes better with chocolate, right?
    oreo3

    HOMEMADE CANDY CANE OREOS

    gluten, egg, and dairy-free
    Makes approx 24 sandwich cookies
    INGREDIENTS:
    • 3/4 c. brown rice flour
    • 3/4 c. sorghum flour
    • 1/4 c. potato starch
    • 1/4 c. arrowroot powder
    • 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
    • 1/4 c. Enjoy Life chocolate chips, melted
    • 16 Tbs Earth Balance butter
    • 3/4 c. sugar
    • 1/2 c. powdered sugar
    • 1 Tb Ener-G egg replacer + 2 Tbs warm water, mixed until thickened
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1/2 tsp salt

    DIRECTIONS:

    1. Cream butter and sugars with an electric mixer. *Avoid mixing for too long–1 minute maximum (if you beat for a longer amount of time, the cookies will flatten out when baking because too much air has been added into the mix).
    2. Add melted chocolate chips and mix.
    3. Add Ener-G egg replacer and vanilla and mix until well combined.
    4. In a medium bowl, mix flours, starches, cocoa, and salt completely.
    5. Add wet ingredients into dry mix bow and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Dough should not be sticky (if so, add 1 Tb of flour at a time until soft still, not sticky.
    6. Transfer 1/2 the dough onto a piece of parchment paper. With your hands, roll dough into a log that is 6″x2″. Smooth with hands. Wrap a piece of clear wrap around the dough and chill for 2+ hours. Do the same with the other 1/2 of the dough.
    7. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
    8. Unroll the dough out of the plastic wrap and slice cookies with a sharp knife at 1/4-1/2″ thick slices.
    9. Place 1/2 of the cookies on a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.
    10. Allow to cool fully on the baking sheet. The cookies with toughen up and become crunchier the longer they sit.

    For the filling:

      • 1 c. vegetable shortening
      • 1 c. powdered sugar
      • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
      • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
      • 14 mini candy canes, crushed (easiest way is to crush with a jar while in individual wrappers)
    1. With an electric mixer, combine all of the ingredients (except the candy canes) together until cream becomes thick and smooth. Fold in crushed candy canes.
    2. Using a spatula, scrape the cream into a ziploc baggie, make a small slit in one corner, and thickly distribute the cream in a circular motion onto one cookie. Gently sandwich another cookie on top. Wa-la.
    Assembling:
    1. Dip each cookie sandwich into a bowl of 1 c. dark chocolate, melted. Top with more crushed candy canes.
    2. Allow to set on parchment paper. Chill until set.

    Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back on Sunday to see who our next special guest is and what they bring to the party!  Thank you so much, Cara, for sharing this perfect holiday indulgence fix!

    Be sure to check out the rest of the cookies at the party:
                  Ashlae's Mini Gingerbread Folk    Jackie's Persimmon Oatmeal Cookies  Richa's Macaroons  Caitlin's Applesauce Raisin Oatmeal Cookies  Gabby's Nutmeg Logs  Melissa's Cream Cheese Sprinkle Sugar Cookies  brownies-1024x530  Ultimate Quadruple Chocolate Chip Cookies

    More

    • Ashlae's Mini Gingerbread Folk
    • Annie's Molasses Crinkles
    • Christy's Almond Ginger-Spiced Cookies
    • Shira's Gramma's Raspberry Birds Nest Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caitlin

      December 13, 2012 at 6:30 am

      i love cara's creations. these cookies look so amazing i think i am definitely making them for gifts this year. GORGEOUS photos!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:39 pm

        These would make such nice gifts- I'm thinking about gifting these as well!

        Reply
    2. Cadry

      December 13, 2012 at 7:57 am

      I can't decide which I like more - ogling those mouthwatering candy cane Oreo's or getting to see two of my favorite women & bloggers in one place! Both of you have so much enthusiasm, honesty, and life in your posts. But the cookies are covered in chocolate and peppered with candy canes. Too much wonderful-ness. I can't choose.

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:40 pm

        You are so sweet, Cadry. Truly. But I totally understand if you choose the cookies. 😉

        Reply
    3. Annie

      December 13, 2012 at 7:59 am

      Holy moly!! Forget the Trader Joe's version - I want these!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:40 pm

        That's what I'm saying- these look so fantastic!

        Reply
    4. jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur

      December 13, 2012 at 9:36 am

      Homemade is definitely so much better! These cookies are beautiful, and seeing as I have a bag of peppermint candies to use up, I'll be adding these cookies to my list!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:41 pm

        I know! I saw some organic candy canes at whole foods the other day and I think I need to snatch them up to make these guys!

        Reply
    5. Richa`

      December 13, 2012 at 11:06 am

      woah waoh.. oreoes in chocolate and candy cane! these are probably the perfect gifting cookies!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:42 pm

        I completely agree, Richa! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      December 13, 2012 at 11:32 am

      Cara simply makes the most beautiful creations! Love your take on a classic Cara, especially how you made it Christmasy 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 13, 2012 at 1:43 pm

        She most certainly does. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Liz

      December 13, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      These sound amazing! Any suggestions on substitutes if you don't need these to be gluten free? Would it be okay to use only one kind of flour in that case?

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 16, 2012 at 11:05 pm

        I think it would be okay to use 1 type of flour, but I think Cara would know best. If you send her a quick little message, I'm sure she'd be glad to help. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Heather

      December 14, 2012 at 8:31 am

      This is such a fun recipe! I'd take these over traditional oreo's any day of the week 🙂

      So festive & so jealous that the two of you got to meet in person!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 16, 2012 at 11:14 pm

        If you come to California, Heather, you'll get to meet us both... Just saying. 😉

        Reply
    9. Courtney Jones

      December 14, 2012 at 10:15 pm

      These are gorgeous and look oh-so delicious!!!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 16, 2012 at 11:16 pm

        I second that!

        Reply
    10. Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack!

      December 16, 2012 at 1:32 pm

      These look INSANE! What a terrific recipe. These photos definitely have me drooling!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 16, 2012 at 11:19 pm

        Right?!?! 😉

        Reply
    11. Somer

      December 18, 2012 at 11:50 am

      Holy cow, you two are so lucky, and these cookies are just to die for. I gave all my neighbors Joe Joe's because I was being lazy. They're really missing out!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 19, 2012 at 12:24 pm

        I feel very lucky to have met Cara- she is such a sweet soul. And I'm impressed that you gave your neighbors any cookies at all! My neighbors aren't getting anything (but we never exchange gifts anyways). 🙂

        Reply
    12. Herbivore Triathlete

      December 18, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      I agree with Cara, everything IS better covered in chocolate! I am loving these cookie swap posts!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 19, 2012 at 12:32 pm

        Wise, wise words from Cara. 🙂 And I'm so happy you're liking the cookie swap party- I'm having a blast with it! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Melissa

      December 19, 2012 at 11:56 am

      These look great!

      One question though, aren't candy canes gluten containing?

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 19, 2012 at 12:38 pm

        I believe there are gluten-free candy canes that you can use. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Sunnie@ModernGirlNutrition

      December 21, 2012 at 4:35 pm

      Oh my goodness, those peppermint ones look divine and I love that they are vegan:)

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        December 23, 2012 at 12:30 pm

        Me too, Sunnie! 🙂

        Reply

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