Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies are soft, chewy, and filled with a fluffy marshmallow buttercream. They’re everything you love about the store-bought classic, but made from scratch with simple ingredients and even better flavor. This nostalgic sandwich cookie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

We’ve always had a soft spot for Little Debbie’s oatmeal cream pies, but this homemade version truly takes the cake. With warm spices in the cookies and a creamy, sweet filling, these sandwich cookies strike the perfect balance of hearty and indulgent.

Recipe Highlights
- Soft and chewy texture: These oatmeal cookies are packed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for a warm, cozy flavor in every bite.
- Creamy marshmallow buttercream filling: Light, fluffy, and sweet without being overpowering.
- Simple ingredients: Nothing complicated here—just pantry staples turned into something truly special.

What are Oatmeal Cream Pies?
Have you ever bought the Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Cream Pies? They are pretty delicious, but this homemade version is even better. The oatmeal cookies are incredible with a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg that add a ton of flavor. They are perfectly soft and chewy, just like oatmeal cookies are supposed to be.
And then there is the stuff in the middle. A delicious marshmallow buttercream filling is made with butter, marshmallow cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Just the right amount of sweetness to complement the cookies.

Ingredients in Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
COOKIE DOUGH:
Flour – This forms the base of the dough and gives the cookies their structure, helping them hold together while staying soft.
Cinnamon and nutmeg – You don’t need too much, but don’t leave these out. They add an amazing flavor to the cookies.
Baking soda and salt – Just make sure your baking soda isn’t old or expired.
Butter – I always just buy salted butter and use it for everything, but you can use unsalted butter if that’s what you have. Sometimes, if I use salted butter, I will reduce or completely leave out the additional salt in the recipe. These cookies have so much flavor, it really doesn’t matter too much either way!
Brown sugar – Light brown sugar works best in these cookies, and make sure it’s fresh. If your brown sugar is dry, it will definitely affect the taste and texture of your cookies.
Eggs and vanilla – The more authentic the vanilla, the better!
Oats – I used quick oats, but you can also use old-fashioned oats if you prefer an even chewier cookie. I often use half quick oats and half old-fashioned – I think that’s my favorite combination for oatmeal cookies!

FILLING:
Butter – Again, I use salted butter just because that’s what I use for everything, but unsalted works fine too.
Powdered sugar – The powdered sugar adds most of the sweetness, while keeping a smooth texture for the creamy filling.
Marshmallow cream – Sometimes called Marshmallow Fluff. Can be found in the baking aisle and I love the way that it makes the consistency of the filling so perfect.
Vanilla extract – The higher the quality of the vanilla, the better.

Tips and Tricks for Making Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
The full recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Chill the dough: Refrigerating the dough helps it firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven. It also enhances the flavors and creates a chewier texture.
- Use a cookie scoop: This ensures each cookie is the same size, so they bake evenly and sandwich together perfectly. It also speeds up the scooping process.
- Combine quick oats and old-fashioned oats: Using both types of oats creates the perfect chew—quick oats break down more, while old-fashioned oats provide a heartier texture.
- Let cookies cool completely before filling: If the cookies are still warm, the marshmallow buttercream may melt and slide off. Cooling them completely keeps the filling fluffy and intact.

How to add the filling to the Oatmeal Cream Pies?
So you’ve got the filling and you’ve got two oatmeal cookies. How do you get that filling in the middle? There are a few different ways to do this, so pick whichever way you prefer!
- Pipe it. You can place the filling in a piping bag and pipe it in a spiral onto the bottom cookie before placing the other cookie on top.
- Spread it. Use a knife or even a spoon to spread the frosting on top of the bottom cookie.
- Scoop it. Use a small/medium cookie scoop to portion out the frosting and plop it in the middle of the bottom cookie. Spread it out by gently smashing the top cookie enough to make the filling spread out.

Storing Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
Store your assembled oatmeal cream pies in an airtight container. They’ll keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

FAQs
Can I freeze oatmeal cream pies?
Yes. Wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
Do I need to chill the dough?
It’s recommended to help the cookies bake evenly and hold their shape.
What kind of oats should I use?
Quick oats give a softer cookie, while old-fashioned oats add chewiness. A mix works well.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Homemade filling has the best texture and taste, but you can use store-bought marshmallow fluff in a pinch.

HOW DO YOU SOFTEN BUTTER?
I like to soften butter by using the defrost function on my microwave. If you need the full 1/2 cup cube of butter, you can leave it in the paper wrapper, otherwise, place the amount of butter you need in a glass or porcelain bowl. I use the lowest defrost setting on my microwave and just let it run for 20 seconds. Check the butter and see how soft it is by pressing it with a rubber scraper. If it is still not soft to the touch, meaning it doesn’t indent when you press into it, let it warm for another 5-10 seconds. Watch it closely! Butter softens very quickly.

MORE DELICIOUS OATMEAL COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY:
- If you love Oatmeal Cream Pies, but want to save some time, you can make Oatmeal Cream Pie Bars!
- Classic oatmeal cookies are always a favorite. I think these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are my favorite!
- Fruit and oatmeal go together so well. Lemon Oatmeal Cookies, Banana Oatmeal Cookies, and Raspberry Oatmeal Cookies are all delicious!
Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies are made with a delicious creamy filling that is sandwiched between two soft and chewy oatmeal cookies. Even better than the store-bought variety that we all know and love!
Jessica says
The kids (and me) loved this recipe! We’ve been doing a lot of baking and I think this one took #1!
Kaylie says
So glad you liked them! Thank you, Jessica!
Liz says
Oatmeal cream pies were always such a childhood favorite! I’m so glad to have found an easy recipe for these 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Kaylie says
Thank you, Liz!
Renee Goerger says
I’m a sucker for an oatmeal cookie, and these cream-filled ones really put me over the edge!
Kaylie says
So glad you liked them!
Mom says
Is the frosting pipeable and how long does it stay fluffy?
Nellie says
The frosting is pretty thick so I do think it is pipeable. The cookies never last very long in our house so I’m not entirely sure how long it stays fluffy, but at least a few days!
Judy says
5 stars even before I make them! I know these are going to be super good. They remind of the ones we get at the Amish store here in Ohio. Theirs are humongous. I was wondering if I could make them larger than one inch? I know it wouldn’t make as many but I think eating one would satisfy your sweet tooth. Not sure how long to bake them at though. I guess till they begin to get brown around the edges. Thanks for the recipe!
M.C. says
I love anything cream cheese…so my question is, could cream cheese be added to the filling in the cookies? If so, how much and/or is there any specific instructions to do so?
Thanks in advance.
Linda Shultz says
Positively delicious!!!