These Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies are soft, chewy, and filled with a creamy vanilla buttercream. Made with quick-cooking oats, brown sugar, a touch of cinnamon, and maple syrup, these nostalgic sandwich cookies are the perfect homemade treat.
The oatmeal cookies bake up soft with lightly golden edges and just the right amount of chew. Once cooled, they’re sandwiched together with a fluffy vanilla cream filling for an easy dessert that both kids and adults will love.
If you grew up eating oatmeal cream pies, this homemade version is such a fun way to recreate the classic treat right in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Soft and chewy oatmeal cookies
- Sweet and creamy vanilla filling
- Simple, everyday ingredients
- A fun homemade version of a nostalgic treat
- Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or an afternoon dessert
- Easy to make ahead
Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 1/4 cup (2 1/2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
For the Cream Filling
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Make the Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Mix until completely combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Add the quick-cooking oats and mix until evenly incorporated throughout the cookie dough. Avoid overmixing.
- Scoop the cookie dough into approximately 1 1/2-tablespoon portions and place them a few inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Place the prepared baking sheets in the refrigerator and chill the scooped cookie dough for 20 minutes.
- Transfer the chilled cookie dough directly to the preheated oven and bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers still look soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5–10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Cream Filling
- Add the softened butter to a large mixing bowl and beat for 2–3 minutes, until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt.
- Add the whole milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the filling is smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Once the oatmeal cookies are completely cool, pair cookies of similar sizes together.
- Pipe or spread a generous layer of cream filling onto the flat side of one cookie.
- Place a second cookie on top and gently press down until the filling reaches toward the edges.
- Repeat with the remaining cookies and cream filling.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
Use quick-cooking oats. Quick oats give these cookies a softer, finer texture that works especially well for oatmeal cream pies.
Don’t overbake the cookies. This is one of the most important parts of the recipe! The cookies should still look slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
Don’t skip chilling the dough. Chilling the scooped cookie dough for 20 minutes helps control how much the cookies spread in the oven.
Cool completely before filling. If the cookies are still warm, the buttercream can soften or melt.
Pair your cookies before filling them. Matching similarly sized cookies makes assembling the oatmeal cream pies much easier.
How to Store Oatmeal Cream Pies
Store your homemade oatmeal cream pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
For longer storage, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow refrigerated oatmeal cream pies to sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving so the cookies and filling can soften.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick oats?
Quick-cooking oats are recommended for this recipe because they create a softer, more uniform texture. Old-fashioned oats are larger and will give the cookies a heartier, chewier texture.
Why do I need to refrigerate the cookie dough?
Chilling the scooped dough for 20 minutes helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while they bake. This also makes it easier to create evenly sized cookies for your cream pies.
How do I know when oatmeal cookies are done?
Remove the cookies when the edges look set and lightly golden but the centers still appear slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking can make the cookies too firm once they’re assembled.
Can I make oatmeal cream pies ahead of time?
Yes! These oatmeal cream pies are perfect for making ahead of time. Prepare and assemble the cookies as directed, then store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. This makes them a great option for parties, holidays, or anytime you want to get your baking done in advance.
Can I freeze homemade oatmeal cream pies?
Yes. Place the assembled oatmeal cream pies in an airtight freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator, then allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
The Perfect Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pie
There’s just something nostalgic about a soft oatmeal cream pie, and this homemade version makes the classic treat even better! The chewy oatmeal cookies, hint of cinnamon and maple, and creamy vanilla filling are such a delicious combination. They’re soft, sweet, and perfect with a cold glass of milk.
Whether you’re making these for your family, packing them into lunchboxes, or just looking for a fun weekend baking recipe, I hope these homemade oatmeal cream pies become a favorite in your house too. Enjoy!