Save to Pinterest My nephew challenged me to make sushi at a kids' birthday party, but insisted it had to be sweet. Standing in the kitchen with flour-dusted hands and zero experience with dessert sushi, I grabbed what felt rebellious: Oreos, chocolate, and the banana I'd bought for breakfast. Two hours later, watching twelve kids arrange these little cookie rolls on their plates like they'd discovered buried treasure made me realize the best recipes are the ones that make people smile before they even taste them.
I served these at a holiday gathering where my friend Sarah brought her new boyfriend, and he spent the entire appetizer course asking how I made them. By the end of the night, he was asking for the recipe while loading his plate for the third time, which felt like the highest compliment possible for something I'd invented on a whim.
Ingredients
- Oreo Cookies (20 whole cookies): They become the foundation of your sushi base, and using regular Oreos rather than the fancy varieties keeps the flavor familiar and the texture perfectly crumbly.
- Cream Cheese (3 tbsp, softened): This acts as your edible glue, binding the cookie crumbs together so they actually hold their shape instead of crumbling when you slice them.
- Banana (1 medium, peeled): The banana provides a soft, natural sweetness and plays the role of the vegetable in your playful sushi concept, though strawberries work just as well.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut (2 tbsp): This brings a subtle toasted flavor and textural contrast that makes each bite feel more interesting.
- Strawberry Jam or Fruit Preserves (2 tbsp): Spread this as your middle layer for tartness that balances the richness of the Oreos and chocolate.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup): Melt these with cream to create your dipping sauce, which should be glossy and pourable rather than thick.
- Heavy Cream (2 tbsp): This lightens the chocolate and makes the dip silky enough to actually cling to each bite.
- Soy Sauce (1 tsp, optional): A tiny splash adds a whisper of saltiness and deepens the chocolate color so the whole thing really does look like sushi.
Instructions
- Crush Your Oreos Into Submission:
- Separate each cookie and scrape out the cream filling with a small spoon, tossing those creamy centers (save them if you want extra richness in your dip). Pulse the cookie halves in a food processor until they resemble fine sand, which usually takes about a minute of work.
- Make Your Sticky Base:
- Add the softened cream cheese to your cookie crumbs and pulse again until the mixture clumps together and feels like slightly moist sand. This is your sushi rice replacement, and it should hold together when you squeeze it.
- Spread and Layer:
- Lay plastic wrap on your counter, spread your Oreo mixture into a thin rectangle about 8 by 6 inches, then brush the strawberry jam across the top like you're painting. Sprinkle the coconut over everything, which adds visual interest and a gentle crunch.
- Add Your Center:
- Place the peeled banana lengthwise along one edge of your rectangle, positioning it where sushi rice would traditionally start.
- Roll with Care:
- Using the plastic wrap as your guide, fold the edge of the Oreo mixture over the banana and keep rolling tightly, using the wrap to help you create a firm log. Slide this into the refrigerator for ten minutes to firm up, which makes slicing infinitely easier.
- Make Your Chocolate Dip:
- While the roll chills, combine chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in twenty-second bursts, stirring between each one, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. If you want that authentic soy sauce color, stir in one teaspoon of soy sauce, though this step is purely visual.
- Slice and Plate:
- Unwrap your chilled roll and cut it into one-inch thick pieces with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts so the edges stay clean.
- Serve with Confidence:
- Arrange your pieces on a platter, pour the chocolate dip into a small bowl, and if you want to make them fancy, add sprinkles or a light dusting of extra coconut.
Save to Pinterest There's a particular magic in watching people's faces when they realize something playful and delicious just appeared in front of them. These rolls do that better than almost anything else I've learned to make, partly because they look impossible but taste like the easiest dessert in the world.
Creative Variations to Try
After making these a few times, I started experimenting with the fillings. A drizzle of peanut butter under the jam creates something richer, while swapping the banana for fresh strawberries makes the whole thing feel lighter and more summery. One afternoon I tried layering in a tiny bit of crushed pretzels for salt, which shouldn't have worked but absolutely did.
Pairing and Serving Ideas
These are best served immediately after slicing, when the edges are still slightly firm and the chocolate is still warm. I've learned that serving them with green tea creates an unexpectedly sophisticated pairing, while milk keeps things fun and casual. They also work perfectly as an unexpected dessert at parties where people expect the usual cakes and cookies.
Small Details That Matter
The beauty of this recipe is that nothing can really go wrong. The Oreos are forgiving, the chocolate dip masks any imperfections, and even if your roll isn't perfectly cylindrical, it still tastes like a treat. I've learned that kitchen confidence comes partly from making recipes where perfectionism doesn't matter.
- Don't skip the plastic wrap because it actually makes rolling easier and keeps things from falling apart.
- If your cream cheese isn't soft, your mixture will feel gritty, so let it sit out for a few minutes before mixing.
- Serve these the same day you make them because they firm up too much in the refrigerator overnight.
Save to Pinterest These cookie rolls remind me that cooking is partly about tradition and partly about knowing when to break it. Making sushi sweet instead of savory isn't revolutionary, but it is exactly the kind of small rebellion that makes people remember the meal.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make the Oreo mixture stick together?
Blending the Oreo crumbs with softened cream cheese creates a sticky, cohesive mixture that holds its shape when rolled.
- → What can I substitute for the banana inside the roll?
Strawberries or other soft fruits work well for texture and flavor, and they complement the sweet layers nicely.
- → Is the chocolate dip difficult to prepare?
Not at all; melting chocolate chips with cream in short bursts and stirring until smooth quickly creates a luscious dip.
- → What role does the soy sauce play in the chocolate dip?
Adding soy sauce provides a subtle depth and dark color reminiscent of traditional soy dipping sauces, enhancing flavor complexity.
- → Can this dish be made ahead of time?
Yes, chilling the roll before slicing helps it set, and the dip can be prepared in advance for convenience.
- → Are there toppings recommended for garnish?
Sprinkles and extra shredded coconut add color and texture, making the presentation more festive and appealing.