Not Really Tuesday: Fornell's Festive Homemade Oreos

I'm well aware that it is not Tuesday. I'm going to blame the fact that I missed Tuesday on the ridiculous amount of snow my state received, even though I really just didn't bake anything because I was too darned lazy.

I planned on baking yesterday to make up for it, but wasn't feeling very inspired by Tuesday night's episode of NCIS. I was left feeling very underwhelmed, despite my initial excitement about Fornell's return. Regardless, my favorite FBI agent deserves a tasty treat named after him, so here I am.

Fornell's Festive Homemade Oreos

Ingredients:

Cookies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 1/2 cups sugar [see recipe note]
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1 large egg

Filling

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) room-temperature, unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

Directions:

Cookies

1.) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2.) In a mixing bowl, add flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt and sugar.

3.) While mixing on a low speed, add the butter and then the egg. Continue beating until the dough comes together in a mass.

4.) Drop by rounded teaspoons and flatten slightly with moist hands.

5.) Bake for 9 minutes.

Filling

1.) In a mixing bowl, add butter and shortening. 

2.) Mix in sugar and vanilla.

3.) Beat until light and fluffy.

Notes: The original recipe notes that for actual oreo like cookies, take out a full half a cup of sugar. I had a hard time with the batter, and I think that's because I didn't melt my butter like I usually do. In fact, when I make these again, I'm going to do just that and see if they come out any better. Also, for the filling, I added just a little bit of milk because it seemed so dry. Recipe was found here.

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

Because Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I added some red icing coloring to the cream to give it a pink tint. I know, festive, right? Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

Edited to add: On a completely unrelated note, I've started an online petition in hopes to get Jimmy Palmer added to NCIS as a regular cast member! If you're interested, please sign by going here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/palmer-pals