Mascarpone Oreo Dessert

Mascarpone Oreo Dessert is a thick, rich, creamy ice box dessert. The Oreo cookies soften and become cake-like in texture.

Occasionally, when grocery shopping, I see Mascarpone cheese marked down by fifty percent. I'll often buy a carton and throw it in the freezer until I find an occasion to use it. More likely than not, it lingers in the freezer until in desperation I take it out and use it in a lasagna or dessert. 

Two favourite desserts I like to make are a Snack-and-a-Half  and a Chocolate Eclair Cake. They are actually a type of old-fashioned ice box cake where cookies or wafers are layered between cream or pudding and put in the fridge or freezer to set, usually overnight. The cookies soften and become cake-like and anyone who doesn't know the difference thinks they are eating cake.  I decided to use the Mascarpone in a similar concoction and it turned out delicious and very creamy and did I say... delicious. 

I have made this dessert several times over the last few years (every time I buy half price Mascarpone). Everyone enjoys it and few even realize there is cheese in the dessert. Mascarpone cheese is very mild and doesn't have the tang of cream cheese, so the filling is very thick and creamy.

I haven't used any ice cream syrup in this dessert today but feel free to "guild the lily" with a squirt or two of chocolate or caramel/butterscotch syrup. Actually, any flavour syrup that complements chocolate can be used.

Printable recipe at end of post.

Mascarpone Oreo Dessert

32 Oreo cookies or any brand you like

1 475-gram container Mascarpone cheese, about 2 cups 

2 cups whipping cream

½ cup icing (powdered) sugar, or to taste

1 teaspoon vanilla

Milk as needed

Chocolate or caramel/butterscotch ice cream topping, optional

2 Skor bars or similar type

How to make it:

Whip cream with the icing sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Lay aside. You may use more sugar but the cookies are quite sweet.

In a separate bowl whip the Mascarpone cheese until smooth. If it seems a little stiff add a tablespoon milk if needed.  Fold in about two-thirds of the whipped cream. 

Line a 8- or 9-inch square dish with one layer of Oreo cookies. I used 16 cookies on each layer. Spread half the whipped cream/cheese mixture over the cookies. If you wish you may put a few spoonfuls chocolate or caramel syrup on this layer. Repeat with another layer of cookies and the remainder of the cream/cheese mixture. If there are any cookies left roughly crush and spread over the cream filling. Top with remaining one-third whipped cream. 

Crush the two Skor bars and sprinkle over the whipped cream topping. Refrigerate overnight before serving. The cookies should soften and become cake-like. The dessert can also be frozen at least 4 hours to overnight. If freezing, remove from freezer at least 15 minutes before serving. 

Makes 9 servings.

Pour the whipping cream into a well chilled bowl. You can also chill the beaters.

Beat cream, icing sugar and vanilla together into stiff peaks.

Lay whipped cream aside.

Mascarpone cheese comes in various sized tubs. Choose one with about 2 cups of cheese.

Mascarpone cheese is very rich and creamy. 

Beat the Mascarpone cheese until smooth. If the mixture seems too stiff add about 1-2 tablespoons milk when beating.

Fold in ⅔ of the whipped cream to make a thick creamy mixture.

Layer Oreo cookies in bottom of an 8- or 9-inch square dish. I didn't have quite enough cookies when I made this one but we managed to have a great dessert. Sixteen cookies per layer are much better.

Spread half the cream/cheese mixture over the cookies.

Spread the mixture evenly to the sides and corners.

Place another 16 cookies on top. As you can see, this dessert didn't have quite enough cookies. The one I made today had the full complement of 32 cookies--16 on each layer.

Spread the remaining cream and cheese mixture over the cookies.

Spread remaining ⅓ of the whipped cream over the cheese layer.

Chop the two Skor bars. Any crunchy toffee based bar will be good.

Sprinkle the chopped Skor bars over the top of the dessert. Refrigerate or freeze overnight. If you choose to freeze the dessert, remove it from the freezer at least 15 minutes before serving.

Who's the lucky person to get the first serving? (Don)

And who'll get the first bite of the Mascarpone Oreo Dessert?

To print click on arrow upper right side. ⇩