Pin It The first time I made dessert sushi, my niece was skeptical—until she bit into that chocolate-covered Oreo log and her eyes went wide. There's something magical about taking something so familiar and presenting it in a way that feels totally new, even though it's just cookies, cream, and a banana doing their best sushi impression. What started as a joke between us became the thing she requests every time she visits. Now I make these for every gathering where I want people to smile before they even taste them.
I brought these to a office potluck once, and they disappeared before anything else on the table did. Someone asked for the recipe thinking it must be complicated, and when I explained it was literally just Oreos and cream cheese, they looked almost disappointed—until they tried one. That reaction never gets old.
Ingredients
- Oreo cookies (20): The foundation here, and you want them because that double-dark chocolate flavor is what makes people recognize the sushi roll instantly even though it's completely wrong.
- Cream cheese (3 tbsp, softened): Acts as the glue that holds everything together; soft cream cheese is non-negotiable because cold cream cheese will tear your mixture apart.
- Banana (1, peeled): The center core that gives the roll structure and a creamy sweetness that balances the chocolate.
- Sweetened shredded coconut (2 tbsp): Adds texture and a tropical note that plays beautifully against the chocolate.
- Strawberry jam or fruit preserves (2 tbsp): Brings a touch of tartness and mimics that authentic sushi look with a pop of color.
- Semisweet chocolate chips (1/2 cup): The dip base; semisweet keeps things from getting too bitter, which matters when you're already dealing with cookie sweetness.
- Heavy cream (2 tbsp): Thins the chocolate and makes the dip silky instead of thick and fudgy.
- Soy sauce (1 tsp, optional): A secret ingredient that deepens the chocolate flavor and gives the dip that amber-brown color that makes the whole thing read as actual sushi.
Instructions
- Crush and merge:
- Separate those Oreo cookies, ditch the filling (or snack on it), and pulse the cookie halves in a food processor until they're fine crumbs. Add your softened cream cheese and blend until it holds together when you squeeze it—it should feel like wet sand that actually sticks.
- Shape the base:
- Lay out plastic wrap and spread your Oreo mixture into a rectangle about the size of a sheet of paper, roughly 1/4-inch thick. This is easier than it sounds because the mixture is forgiving; just press it flat with your hands or the back of a spoon.
- Layer and fill:
- Brush that strawberry jam across the surface like you're painting, then sprinkle coconut over it. Lay your banana lengthwise along one edge, leaving some space around it so the roll doesn't burst when you tighten everything.
- Roll it tight:
- Using the plastic wrap as your helper, fold the edge over the banana and roll forward steadily, keeping tension so you get a compact log instead of a loose spiral. The plastic wrap does most of the work here; you're just guiding it.
- Chill and set:
- Pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes while you handle the dip. This firms everything up so slicing doesn't turn your roll into a smeared mess.
- Make the dip:
- Microwave chocolate chips and heavy cream together in 20-second bursts, stirring between each one until it's smooth and glossy. Stir in soy sauce if using; it doesn't taste like soy, just deepens the chocolate color and flavor.
- Slice and serve:
- Unwrap your roll, use a sharp knife (wipe it between cuts if chocolate sticks), and slice into 1-inch pieces. Arrange on a platter and watch people's faces when they realize what they're looking at.
Pin It My mom tried these at a holiday party and immediately called me asking if I could make them for her bunco group. Now she makes them herself, and every time I taste her version, I notice she's added some small touch—last time it was white chocolate chips mixed in. It's become this thing that's ours, you know?
The Magic of Texture
What makes these actually work is the contrast happening in every bite: the crisp cookie exterior against the creamy center, the burst of fruit jam, the slight give of banana, and that smooth chocolate dip coating your tongue. It's not just sweet; it's interesting. That's why people reach for a second one immediately.
Customizing Your Rolls
Once you nail the basic formula, the variations are endless and honestly kind of fun to experiment with. The banana is just a starting point—I've done strawberry slices, thin layers of peanut butter, crushed candy canes for a winter version, even just leaving it out if you want pure chocolate and cream. The Oreo-cream cheese mixture is sturdy enough to hold almost anything you want to roll up inside it.
Serving and Storage
These are best fresh but they keep in the fridge for a couple of days if covered. The chocolate dip thickens as it cools, so warm it gently if it's been sitting.
- Make them a few hours ahead if you're hosting; they actually taste even better once they've had time to set.
- If the dip solidifies, just give it a 10-second microwave burst and stir until it's pourable again.
- Serve them on a platter with the dip in a small bowl so people can dunk like they're eating real sushi.
Pin It These rolls are proof that the best desserts aren't always the most complicated ones. Sometimes they're just the ones that make people laugh out loud when they realize what they're holding.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make the Oreo cookie base sticky?
Mix crushed Oreo cookies with softened cream cheese until the mixture is sticky and holds its shape for easy rolling.
- → Can I substitute the banana inside the rolls?
Yes, strawberries or other fruit preserves can be used for a different texture and flavor.
- → What adds the subtle savory flavor to the chocolate dip?
A small amount of soy sauce is added to the melted chocolate and cream mixture to mimic traditional soy dip color and enhance flavor.
- → Should the rolls be chilled before slicing?
Chilling the rolls for about 10 minutes helps them firm up, making slicing easier and neater.
- → Are there any common allergens in this dish?
This dessert contains wheat, dairy, and soy, and may contain traces of nuts; check ingredient labels if allergic.