Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper (or spray thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray). Set aside.

Step 2

Set aside about 15 oreo cookies and use your hands to crush them into small bite-sized chunks. If easier, you can crush the oreos in a ziploc bag. Set the crushed oreo cookies aside for later.

Step 3

In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, mix the slightly softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Then, mix in the red food coloring one teaspoon at a time. Depending on your food coloring, you may have to add more to achieve a bright red color.

Step 5

Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until well incorporated. The dough will be quite thick, but do not over-mix!

Step 6

Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the crushed oreo cookies into the dough until just combined. Do not mix too much or the oreos will break up too much.

Step 7

Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons) to form evenly-sized balls of cookie dough. Place the dough balls on the baking sheet, leaving 2-3 inches between each ball to allow for spreading.

Step 8

Press additional chunks of oreo cookies into the top of the dough balls before baking, if desired.

Step 9

Bake the cookies (one sheet at a time) for 8-10 minutes. They will spread and appear firm around the edges. Don't worry if the centers seem under-baked; they will continue to set up on the baking sheet as they cool. It is better to under-bake them slightly so they are soft and chewy.

Step 10

Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy!