Homemade OREOS with Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling

From: Jenn@eatcakefordinner

1 pkg. chocolate fudge cake mix (or any chocolate cake mix)

3/4 c. shortening

2 eggs

Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling

1 stick (8 Tbl.) unsalted butter, room temp.

4 oz. cream cheese, room temp.

pinch of salt

2 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/4 c. frozen strawberries in sugar that have been

thawed and pureed, plus more if needed

1 tsp. strawberry extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For the Cookies: Combine cake mix, shortening and eggs and mix until combined. Dough will be stiff. Roll into 1'' - 1 1/2'' balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Cool completely. Spread filling over half of the cookies and top each with another cookie to make sandwiches. Makes about 36 cookies (18 sandwiches).

For the Strawberry Filling: Cream together butter, cream cheese and salt. Add one cup of powdered sugar and mix until combined. Add the pureed strawberries and strawberry extract. Gradually mix in the remaining powdered sugar. If frosting is too thick, add a little more strawberry puree.

If a cake mix isn't your thing, you can make 1 1/2 batches of this Chocolate Cookie Recipe and omit the red food coloring.