Cookies and Cream Morning Buns

In the bowl of a freestanding electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 3 1/2 cups flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine. Use a tall cup or large measuring cup to make a well in the center of the ingredients, and set aside.
In a large liquid measuring cup, combine 1 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup canola oil and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into the well at the center of the dry ingredients, and use a rubber spatula to stir until combined. As the dough starts to form, nestle the bowl into the electric mixer and turn on the mixer to knead on medium-low speed for at least 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If you find that the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Turn out the dough onto a counter. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the dough hook and the sides of the bottom and the bowl if needed, using your hands to manually knead the dough into a mass. Spray the bowl with cooking spray and transfer the dough back into the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to rise until doubled in size for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
Once the dough is doubled in size, it's time to make the filling. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup crème fraîche, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Whisk until throughly incorporated, and set aside.
Return to the dough. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a large rectangle about 12 x 20-inches. 20 inches will seem like a stretch, but the longer your rectangle, the more attractive the rolls will be! Try to make those 20 inches work. Use a bench scraper to press against the edges of the dough to straighten them out. Use an offset spatula to spread the crème fraîche filling evenly and completely across the dough, going right up to the edges. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed Oreo cookies evenly and completely across the crème fraîche filling, going right up to the edges.
Starting from one of the 12-inch sides, roll the dough into an even log. Use a serrated knife to cut the roll into 6 rolls, each about 2-inches wide. Transfer the rolls into a quarter sheet pan lined with parchment paper, placing each roll cut side up and leaving at least 4-inches between each roll — you want to leave plenty of space for the rolls to grow and expand outwards. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until the rolls have doubled in size and the edges have rounded, around 1 to 1 ½ hours.
About 30 minutes into the rolls’ second rising time, prep the oven and make the glaze. Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350 (F). In the bowl of a freestanding electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine 3 tablespoons crème fraîche, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until combined. Add 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar all at once and continue to beat on low speed until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
Once the rolls have doubled, it’s finally time to bake them! Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges of the bun are golden in color and the centers have risen slightly. A skewer inserted in the center of a bun should come out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and immediately use an offset spatula to cover the top of each bun with a generous amount of the glaze — the residual heat from the buns will help melt and spread the glaze throughout the bun’s crevices. Serve warm.

Get the Recipe: Cookies and Cream Morning Buns

Ingredients

For the Buttermilk Dough

For the Cookies and Cream Filling

For the Cream Glaze

Instructions