Oreo is one of the most popular sandwich cookie brands in the world, known for its classic combination of chocolate wafers and sweet creme filling. Many Oreo fans claim that the cream filling is the best part of the cookie and wish that Oreo would sell the filling all by itself. So, does Oreo actually sell just the creme filling without the cookies?
The History of Oreo Filling
Oreo filling, often referred to as creme or cream, has been at the heart of the Oreo cookie experience since the beginning. The original Oreo cookie was developed and produced by the National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco) in 1912 at its Chelsea factory in New York City. The classic combination of chocolate cookie wafers sandwiching a white creme filling was inspired by the chocolate sandwich cookies that were popular at the time.
The original creme filling recipe was made from sugar, vegetable shortening, flour, vanilla, and potentially some dairy ingredients. It had a lighter, less rich and buttery taste than the filling Oreo uses today. Throughout the years, Nabisco has made some changes to the creme filling recipe, adjusting the ingredients and proportions to achieve an optimal flavor and texture.
Today, the official ingredients for Oreo filling are sugar, palm and canola oils, cocoa, high fructose corn syrup, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, soy lecithin, and various artificial flavors. In 2016, Nabisco replaced the high fructose corn syrup in Oreo filling with real sugar in response to consumer demand for less artificial ingredients.
The Famous Oreo Creme
Oreo creme filling has become an iconic part of the Oreo experience over the decades. The rich, sweet, creamy white filling between the dark chocolate wafers delights cookie lovers of all ages. It’s the perfect complement to the crunchy, chocolate cookie pieces.
Many Oreo enthusiasts claim that the creme is the most addictive and crave-worthy part of the cookie. There’s just something about that cool, sweet creme that perfectly balances the chocolate cookies. It’s easy to see why some people wish they could buy a whole tub of Oreo filling and eat it with a spoon!
Does Oreo Sell Just the Filling?
So with the Oreo creme being so beloved, does Oreo actually sell the filling all on its own, without the cookie wafers? The short answer is no, currently Oreo does not sell its original creme filling as a standalone product. The creme filling is manufactured specifically to be sandwiched between the chocolate cookies.
However, Oreo has occasionally offered limited edition creme-only products to consumers:
- In 2019 for a limited time, Oreo sold packs of fudge-covered creme patties named Oreo Fudge Cremes. These were bites of Oreo’s original filling dipped in fudge coating.
- In 2021 for a limited run, Oreo released Oreo Crème Brulee cookies that featured extra thick creme filling coupled with crunchy sugar coating sprinkled on top to mimic the traditional dessert.
But these specialty Oreo creme products were available for a short time only. The company likely realized that the creme works best when combined with the signature chocolate wafers.
Why Doesn’t Oreo Sell the Filling Separately?
There are a few reasons why Oreo has not brought standalone creme filling packs to the mass market:
- The creme filling was designed and formulated specifically to complement the chocolate wafer cookies. Eaten alone, it may be overly sweet or rich without the cookies to balance it out.
- Standalone creme tubs would compete with and potentially undercut sales of regular Oreos. The company wants to promote sales of the full cookie experience.
- A tub of creme filling alone has less brand recognition and appeal than the traditional Oreo cookie packaging and appearance.
- Shipping pure creme filling in packaging could be messy or challenging compared to shipping the cookies.
DIY Oreo Filling
Even though Oreo doesn’t sell tubs of creme, some intrepid bakers have found ways to recreate Oreo filling at home. These recipes allow you to experience rich, sweet Oreo-style filling without the cookies:
3-Ingredient Condensed Milk Filling
This easy no-bake “creme” only requires 3 ingredients:
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving for optimal consistency. The condensed milk gives a sweetness and texture quite similar to Oreo filling.
Buttercream Frosting Filling
For a richer, butterier take, use a classic buttercream frosting recipe:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Beat the butter until smooth then gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla, salt, and enough cream or milk to reach the desired consistency. Pipe or scoop onto cookies or eat with a spoon.
No-Bake “Creme” Filling
This easy filling has no dairy products:
- 1⁄2 cup Crisco vegetable shortening
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whip the shortening until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar and vanilla, scraping sides as needed, until completely combined. Pipe or sandwich between cookies.
Purchasing Homemade Oreo Filling
While Oreo doesn’t directly sell its creme filling, some small bakeries and online vendors have started offering Oreo-like filling for sale:
Etsy Sellers
Creative bakers on Etsy sell homemade Oreo cream or cookie butter in jars. For example:
- The Sugar Chic sells 16 oz jars of its popular Homemade Oreo Creme Filling.
- All She Wants is Cookies offers a Cookie Butter modeled after the Oreo creme taste.
Specialty Bakeries
Some independent bakeries sell Oreo-inspired filling by the jar, tub, or pint. For instance:
- Baked by Melissa – this NYC bakery offers packages of mini Oreo-filled cupcakes with filling on the side.
- Yummy in My Tummy Bakeshop – creates Cookie Butter Cream flavored like Oreo cream.
- Creme Cookie Creme – sells small batch “Creme Cookie Creme” inspired by the Oreo middle.
So while Oreo doesn’t directly sell its original creme filling, you can find some specialty options made by creative bakers. Or try making your own at home!
Innovative Oreo Cremes
Even if it doesn’t sell the filling alone, Oreo frequently innovates with exciting creme flavors and ingredients:
Colorful Creme
Oreo has moved beyond plain white filling with fun colorful cremes like:
- Green mint creme in Mint Oreos
- Blue creme in Blue Raspberry Oreos
- Pink creme in Strawberry Milkshake Oreos
- Orange creme in Halloween Oreos
New Flavors
Exciting new creme flavors include:
- Fudge creme
- Peanut butter creme
- Marshmallow creme
- Banana creme
- Lemon creme
Mix-ins
Oreo has mixed all sorts of flavors into its cremes like:
- Crumbled cookies or cookie pieces
- Chopped nuts
- Sprinkles or candy pieces
- Chocolate chips
- Crumbled bacon
So while original Oreo filling may not be sold solo, the company keeps the creme exciting and innovative for cookie lovers!
Conclusion
Oreo’s famous creme filling is cherished by cookie enthusiasts around the world. While Oreo does not currently sell its original white creme alone without the chocolate wafers, the company has produced some limited creme-focused products and packages over the years. DIY recipes allow you to recreate similar Oreo-style filling at home to enjoy by the spoonful or in desserts. And Oreo itself keeps releasing new takes on its iconic center creme in fun flavors, colors, and mix-ins. So even if you can’t buy it solo in a tub, there are still plenty of ways to get your Oreo creme fix!