Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups | Creamy, Crunchy & Crowd-Pleasing

🎉 Introduction

If you’re a fan of cookies and cream, this recipe is about to become your go-to dessert. These Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups combine layers of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, fluffy cream cheese filling, and whipped cream for a treat that’s as beautiful as it is indulgent.

Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or simply satisfying a late-night craving, these dessert cups are easy to make yet taste like something from a fancy café. The contrast between the creamy layers and crunchy cookie crumbles creates a perfect bite every time.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Electric mixer (hand or stand mixer)
• Spatula
• Food processor or rolling pin (for crushing cookies)
• Small dessert cups or glasses
• Piping bag (optional, for neater layers)

🛒 Ingredients

Culinary Aids & Spices:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Crackers & Biscuits:

• 2 ½ cups chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed (for crust & layers)
• 28 mini chocolate sandwich cookies (for garnish)

Dairy Products:

• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream, cold

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Crust Layer

1. Crush 2 ½ cups chocolate sandwich cookies using a food processor or by placing them in a bag and smashing with a rolling pin.
2. Mix crushed cookies with melted butter until well combined.
3. Spoon a layer into each dessert cup and press gently to create a base.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Add vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.

Step 3: Whip the Cream

1. In a separate chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
2. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to keep it light and airy.

Step 4: Assemble the Dessert Cups

1. Spoon or pipe a layer of cream mixture over the cookie crust in each cup.
2. Sprinkle with more crushed cookies.
3. Repeat layers until cups are full, ending with cream mixture.

Step 5: Garnish & Chill

1. Top each dessert cup with a sprinkle of crushed cookies and a mini chocolate sandwich cookie.
2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 8 dessert cups
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: ~1 hour 20 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator:

• Store covered for up to 3 days.

Freezer:

• Freeze without garnishes for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

🥄 Variations

• Peanut Butter Twist: Add a layer of peanut butter between the cream and cookie layers.
• Mint Cookies and Cream: Add ½ tsp peppermint extract to the cream mixture.
• Berry Surprise: Layer in fresh strawberries or raspberries.
• Chocolate Lover’s Version: Drizzle chocolate ganache between layers.
• Cheesecake Style: Use the crust as a thicker base and bake for a firmer texture before adding cream.
• Oreo Trifle Cups: Alternate cookies and cream with chocolate pudding.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of whipping cream?

Yes—but fresh whipped cream has a richer flavor.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes—prepare up to 24 hours before serving for best freshness.

3. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, but it may be less creamy.

4. How can I crush cookies without a food processor?

Place in a sealed bag and use a rolling pin.

5. Can I make these in a large trifle dish?

Absolutely—just layer in a bigger bowl.

6. Can I use flavored sandwich cookies?

Yes—mint, golden, or peanut butter cookies work well.

7. Do they need to be refrigerated?

Yes—due to dairy ingredients.

8. Can I skip the butter in the crust?

Yes, but the crust will be looser.

9. How can I make it less sweet?

Reduce sugar by ¼ cup or use less in the cream filling.

10. Can I add chocolate chips?

Yes—mini chocolate chips make a great crunchy addition.

🏁 Conclusion

These Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups are the perfect no-bake treat for cookie lovers. Creamy, crunchy, and beautifully layered, they’re as easy to make as they are irresistible to eat. Whether for a party or a simple weekend dessert, they deliver both flavor and style.

Adam

Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups | Creamy, Crunchy & Crowd-Pleasing

If you’re a fan of cookies and cream, this recipe is about to become your go-to dessert. These Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups combine layers of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, fluffy cream cheese filling, and whipped cream for a treat that’s as beautiful as it is indulgent. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or simply satisfying a late-night craving, these dessert cups are easy to make yet taste like something from a fancy café. The contrast between the creamy layers and crunchy cookie crumbles creates a perfect bite every time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

chill time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 dessert cups

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Culinary Aids & Spices:

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Crackers & Biscuits:

• 2 ½ cups chocolate sandwich cookies crushed (for crust & layers)
• 28 mini chocolate sandwich cookies for garnish

Dairy Products:

• ¼ cup butter melted
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream cold

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Electric mixer (hand or stand mixer)
• Spatula
• Food processor or rolling pin (for crushing cookies)
• Small dessert cups or glasses
• Piping bag (optional, for neater layers)

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Cookie Crust Layer

1. Crush 2 ½ cups chocolate sandwich cookies using a food processor or by placing them in a bag and smashing with a rolling pin.
2. Mix crushed cookies with melted butter until well combined.
3. Spoon a layer into each dessert cup and press gently to create a base.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Add vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.

Step 3: Whip the Cream

1. In a separate chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
2. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to keep it light and airy.

Step 4: Assemble the Dessert Cups

1. Spoon or pipe a layer of cream mixture over the cookie crust in each cup.
2. Sprinkle with more crushed cookies.
3. Repeat layers until cups are full, ending with cream mixture.

Step 5: Garnish & Chill

1. Top each dessert cup with a sprinkle of crushed cookies and a mini chocolate sandwich cookie.
2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:

Store covered for up to 3 days.

Freezer:

Freeze without garnishes for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

🥄 Variations
Peanut Butter Twist: Add a layer of peanut butter between the cream and cookie layers.

Mint Cookies and Cream: Add ½ tsp peppermint extract to the cream mixture.

Berry Surprise: Layer in fresh strawberries or raspberries.

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Drizzle chocolate ganache between layers.

Cheesecake Style: Use the crust as a thicker base and bake for a firmer texture before adding cream.

Oreo Trifle Cups: Alternate cookies and cream with chocolate pudding.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of whipping cream?
Yes—but fresh whipped cream has a richer flavor.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes—prepare up to 24 hours before serving for best freshness.

3. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, but it may be less creamy.

4. How can I crush cookies without a food processor?
Place in a sealed bag and use a rolling pin.

5. Can I make these in a large trifle dish?
Absolutely—just layer in a bigger bowl.

6. Can I use flavored sandwich cookies?
Yes—mint, golden, or peanut butter cookies work well.

7. Do they need to be refrigerated?
Yes—due to dairy ingredients.

8. Can I skip the butter in the crust?
Yes, but the crust will be looser.

9. How can I make it less sweet?
Reduce sugar by ¼ cup or use less in the cream filling.

10. Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes—mini chocolate chips make a great crunchy addition.

🏁 Conclusion
These Cookies and Cream Dessert Cups are the perfect no-bake treat for cookie lovers. Creamy, crunchy, and beautifully layered, they’re as easy to make as they are irresistible to eat. Whether for a party or a simple weekend dessert, they deliver both flavor and style.