What are the ingredients in Oreo Cakester?

December 20, 2025 •

3 min read

After a decade-long hiatus, Oreo Cakesters made a highly anticipated return in 2022, prompting many fans to wonder what are the ingredients in Oreo Cakester that give it a uniquely soft-baked, cake-like texture. Unlike the classic Oreo, this whoopie pie-style snack contains a different mix of components to create its distinctly creamy filling and spongy chocolate exterior.

Quick Summary

Oreo Cakesters consist of a complex recipe that includes bleached enriched flour, various sugars, oils, cocoa, milk, eggs, and a variety of emulsifiers and stabilizers. The addition of eggs and milk distinguishes the Cakester from the vegan-friendly original Oreo cookie.

Key Points

Ingredient Complexity: Oreo Cakesters have a much longer and more complex ingredient list than the original Oreo cookie to achieve their soft, cake-like texture and creamy filling.
Non-Vegan Formulation: Unlike the classic Oreo, Cakesters contain dairy (milk) and eggs, making them unsuitable for vegans.
Texture Science: Emulsifiers like Propylene Glycol Esters and Glycerin are used to create the Cakester's unique soft, moist texture and extend its shelf life.
Allergens: Major allergens in Oreo Cakesters include wheat, milk, egg, and soy.
Unique Flavor Profile: Despite carrying the Oreo name, Cakesters have a more brownie-like flavor profile due to their different composition.
Processing Concerns: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has classified Oreo Cakesters as a highly processed food, noting concerns over its fat and sugar content.

A Detailed Look at the Oreo Cakester Ingredient List

Unlike the simple four-ingredient rumor often associated with the classic Oreo cookie, the ingredient list for Oreo Cakesters is a sophisticated blend of components, each serving a specific purpose. The final product is a testament to food science, combining standard baking ingredients with various additives to achieve its unique flavor, texture, and shelf life. A typical ingredient panel reveals a comprehensive recipe for both the soft, chocolatey cake and the signature creme filling.

The Soft Cake Layers: Beyond a Simple Cookie

The soft, moist, and cake-like exterior of an Oreo Cakester is achieved through a carefully balanced combination of ingredients:

Bleached Enriched Flour: This is the primary structural component, providing the cake's body. The 'enriched' aspect refers to the addition of B vitamins (Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin) and iron.
Sugars and Sweeteners: A blend of Sugar, Fructose, and Dextrose provides sweetness, moisture retention, and browning.
Fats and Oils: A mix of Palm Oil, Soybean and/or Canola Oil, and Glycerin contributes to the rich texture and moistness of the cake layers. Glycerin is a sugar alcohol that also helps maintain moisture.
Cocoa (Processed With Alkali): This provides the distinctive dark chocolate flavor and color. Processing with alkali reduces bitterness and darkens the color.
Leavening Agents: Baking Powder (Disodium Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Calcium Phosphate) and Baking Soda are responsible for the cake's fluffy, aerated texture.
Binding Agents: Dried Eggs and Dried Egg Whites are crucial for structure and binding the cake's ingredients together.

The Creamy Creme Filling: An Emulsified Core

The iconic creme filling is not a simple butter and sugar mixture but a stable emulsion created with a specific set of ingredients:

Nonfat Milk: Provides a creamy base for the filling, immediately distinguishing the Cakester as non-vegan.
Sugars and Starches: Sugar, Cornstarch, and Modified Corn Starch are used to provide bulk, sweetness, and the desired thick, smooth consistency.
Fats and Emulsifiers: Palm Oil, Soy Lecithin, Propylene Glycol Esters Of Fatty Acids, Monoglycerides, and Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate work together to create a stable, smooth emulsion, preventing separation of the ingredients and providing a soft mouthfeel.
Flavoring: Natural and Artificial Flavor is added to mimic the classic Oreo creme taste.

Comparison: Oreo Cakester vs. Classic Oreo Cookie


Feature	Oreo Cakester	Original Oreo Cookie
Texture	Soft, moist, and cake-like.	Crisp, crunchy cookie.
Vegan Status	No (contains milk and egg).	Yes (famously vegan, no animal products).
Fats	Blend of Palm, Soybean, and/or Canola Oil, Glycerin.	Blend of Canola and/or Palm Oil.
Key Additives	Propylene Glycol Esters, Xanthan Gum.	Fewer stabilizers for a crunchier result.
Allergens	Wheat, Milk, Egg, Soy.	Wheat, Soy.
Taste Profile	More like a frosted brownie or cupcake.	Distinctive, crisp chocolate wafer taste.

The Science of Additives and Why They Matter

Several ingredients on the Oreo Cakester list may seem unfamiliar but are vital for the product's performance and shelf life. For instance, Xanthan Gum acts as a thickener and stabilizer, ensuring the filling's texture remains consistent. Ingredients like Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides are common food emulsifiers that help bind water and fat, contributing to the creamy, smooth filling and moist cake texture. These agents are part of the reason Cakesters have a longer shelf life and maintain their intended softness over time.

Conclusion: A Complex Recipe for a Nostalgic Treat

Ultimately, understanding what are the ingredients in Oreo Cakester reveals that it is far more than a whoopie pie with an Oreo filling. It is a carefully engineered snack designed to deliver a specific soft texture and nostalgic flavor. The inclusion of milk and eggs for cakiness sets it apart from its classic cookie counterpart and is a crucial part of its formula. While its ultra-processed nature has raised some concerns, for many, the complex list of ingredients is simply the blueprint for a delicious and satisfying treat. For official nutritional details, refer to the manufacturer's SmartLabel website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Oreo Cakesters are not vegan. The ingredient list includes both milk and dried eggs, which provide the soft, cakey texture that differentiates them from the classic Oreo cookie.

The main difference lies in their ingredients and texture. Cakesters are soft, cake-like snacks made with milk and eggs, resembling a whoopie pie, while original Oreos are crunchy, vegan-friendly sandwich cookies.

Oreo Cakesters were originally discontinued in 2012, possibly related to corporate restructuring at parent company Kraft. Following a decade-long hiatus due to popular demand, they were officially brought back to store shelves in 2022.

This is a food emulsifier used to improve the product's texture and maintain its stability. In Cakesters, it helps create the smooth, creamy consistency of the filling and the moistness of the cake layers.

While Cakesters feature the iconic Oreo flavor, the experience is different. Many people describe the Cakester taste as being more similar to a moist brownie or chocolate cupcake due to its soft-baked texture, rather than the crisp bite of a regular Oreo.

Yes, packages of Oreo Cakesters state that they contain a bioengineered food ingredient. This is common for many processed foods that use ingredients like corn or soy derivatives.

You can find the most current and official ingredient list on the Mondelez SmartLabel website by scanning the product's barcode or searching for it online. The company provides transparent labeling for consumers.