It's November and the only way to pull us up and out of bed on the dark and eerie mornings is some good old comfort food. This Gookie Dough brownie Oreo cheesecake is going to make your day 100x better after a dreading day on public transport. 

(Image credit: Tasty via YouTube) 

You will need: 

(Serves approx. 8) 

455g of chocolate chip Gookie Dough at room temperature 

510g box brownie mix (prepared according to the package instructions) 

680g of cream cheese 

100g of sugar 

One teaspoon of vanilla extract 

One large egg 

40 double stuffed Oreo cookies 

Whipped cream for serving 

Directions 

(Image credit: @Dakotajadew on Tasty review) 

Firstly, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius and line a 10 inch (25cm) springform pan with two layers of cling film which is long enough to hang over the sides. 

Take your Gookie Dough and press it evenly into a circle along the bottom of the pan and then fold the cling film over the top. Unclasp the pan and freeze the cookie dough disk. Then reclasp the pan and spray the bottom with cooking spray. Pour in your prepared brownie batter.

Spray the bottom and sides of a 5 inch (12cm) or deeper 8-inch wide cake tin and press the greased cake tin into the brownie mix until the matter reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake for around 30 minutes then chill for about five. 

Now reduce the oven temperature to 150 degrees Celsius. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and your egg until there are no lumps and a smooth batter has formed. 

While the brownie is still warm, rotate and press down on the inner cake pan using oven gloves to push the cooked brownie even more up the sides of the springform pan into an even ring. Chill for 30 minutes. 

Arrange a single layer of the Oreos roughly 14-15 on the bottom of the brownie shell as close together as possible. Por the cheesecake mixture on top of the cookies and spread evenly. Tap the pan to release any air bubbles and bake for about 40 minutes until the cheesecake is slightly bouncy in the centre. Then freeze until the top of the cheesecake is slightly firm. 

Now add another layer of Oreos on top of the cheesecake layer and place the frozen Gookie Dough disk on top. Bake for 15 minutes. When out of the oven, chill completely, slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and an extra Oreo for decoration! 

Tah-Dah! Super rich dessert with a gorgeous crunch of Oreos. Complete dessert GOALS! (Recipe from Tasty). 

If you've ordered Gookie Dough for the first time and you're unsure of what to expect, here's a little guide to put your mind at rest and everything you need to know to lose your Gookie Dough virginity. 

Don't worry if you're not in 

There's nothing worse than having a delivery in the middle of the day on a Wednesday when you're going to be at work, and you know your neighbours won't be in either. The food is fresh so can't be taken back to the depot.

Keeping the dough chilled 

Our boxes are insulated with special bags which will allow your Gookie Dough to stay cool for up to 72 hours. The drivers are aware that they need to leave your dough in a safe place and if there are any ever issues then contact us. We're happy to help! 😊 

Our groovy boxes

You'll know straight away when we have delivered your yummies because you'll see our beautifully bright, sprinkle covered box sat at your feet outside of the door. We take pride in our designs, and we hope you love our boxes just as much as we do! Check out that parcel tape. Top notch! 

DHL

We are proud to use DHL as our courier as they're reliable and always keep you guys updated on your order. When ordering, you will get a confirmation email from us and then an SMS or email from DHL with a one-hour delivery slot. This way, if you're waiting on the driver, you at least know you can nip and do your bits beforehand, and you won't miss it! 

Tah-Dah! 

And there you have it. Quick, simple, easy and stored safely, so you get the best high-quality product. Made with a smile, delivered with a smile. Grab a spoon and tuck in and we'll no doubt receive another order from you soon! Remember to use the magical discount code which is also inserted into the box so you get some dollar off of your next order! But shhhh, it's a secret! 

The pro of our product is that we've made life so much easier for you. Just take the Gookie Dough out of the tub, chuck it onto a tray and bake. Voila, the job is done! But what if you've run out of Gookie Dough and have to make your own and it's nowhere near as good? These are ways to make your cookies taste better and taste as good as ours. 

(Image credit: foodandwine.com) 

Vanilla extract 

In a lot of recipes where Gookie Dough is used, we always tell you that we have used vanilla extract already so there is no need to add extras. However, when you make your own cookies, vanilla extract is a must! This can also be done for other flavours such as mint. 

Adding extras

Adding extra ingredients to your homemade dough cannot harm and can make things a little more interesting. Toppings such as white chocolate, pretzels and nuts can break up the flavour profile and add more originality. 

Refrigerate 

After you've added your extras to the dough and enhanced the flavour then pop it in the fridge overnight. This way, the flavours can seep deeper and then the taste will be better. 

(Image credit: Dallas Observer) 

Coffee kicks

Popping a teaspoon of instant espresso powder into your chocolate chip dough can help mask any artificial taste and give you that energy buzz you need to make it through the rest of the day. It can be your secret office snack and your key to productivity. If you have no espresso powder then you can use freshly ground coffee instead.

Butter and brown sugar 

Sometimes a couple of teaspoons of brown sugar and three tablespoons of softened butter in the pre-made batter can make everything taste homemade. Olive oil can also be used if you want a flatter, crunchier cookie! 

Salt 

A lot of people don't use salt when it comes to sweet treats but Maldon salt can be very beneficial to your dough. Using flaky Maldon salt can bring out the flavours of the cookie dough and give a bittersweet delightful twist. Sprinkle some salt on your cookies before they go into the oven to achieve this. 

Gookie Dough can't get much better, it's an angel sent from the God's. But let's be real, that is a lot of hard work just to perfect a batch of your own cookies. So why not just save yourself the hassle and order more tubs so you never run out! 

You may have seen the Iceland Christmas advert that has taken the internet by storm. 

As part of its festive campaign, Iceland struck a deal with Greenpeace to rebadge an animated short film featuring an orangutan and the destruction of its rainforest habitat in the hands of palm oil growers. So, in relation to Gookie Dough, we've decided to discuss this further with you. 

(Image credit: Independent.ie) 

What is palm oil?

Palm oil is made from the fruits of trees called African oil palms. The trees come from the west and south-west Africa but were then introduced to Indonesia and Malaysia. They grow naturally in tropical rainforest areas but are also planted and farmed to produce more product. Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil, like sunflower or rapeseed. 

Why is palm oil bad?

The demand for palm oil has risen because it's in pretty much everything. From shampoos, makeup and lipstick to biscuits and ice cream. Huge areas of forest in Asia and Africa are being destroyed. The logging of trees and industrial plantations which cover more than 27 million hectares across the world have a negative impact on wildlife and the environment. Around 100,000 orangutans were lost between 1999 to 2015 and it's creating a problem for endangered species. 

Sustainable palm oil 

(Image credit: Greenpalm.org) 

Sustainable palm oil makes business profitable while not harming people or the environment. Palm oil companies have now adopted policies that promise no deforestation and no exploitation. This is called the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). There are eight principles that palm oil producers must follow as seen above. 

Now you're probably wondering about Gookie Dough because there is a high chance that palm oil is used. Correct. We want to make the message clear that all of our palm oil used is 100% sustainable and protecting the environment in any way possible. As a company, we want to send a positive message to our consumers, and we are on Iceland's side! 

Salt or sodium is a mineral that you will find in almost anything you eat or drink. Many people panic about salt intake, but it's got many health benefits and is essential in your diet. Salt rinses are one of the main remedies for mouth healing and are also able to fight infection and heal wounds. 

(Image credit: Pilsbury.com) 

So, is salt bad for your body?

Salt has had a vital role in our diet since forever. Yet, in the last few decades, salt has been turned into an enemy, a little bit like sugar. This is because it is associated with hypertension and heart disease. In fact, if you don't get enough salt in your diet, then it can cause problems with bodily functions, and you can gain salt deficiency. Signs of this include reduced hydration, muscle cramps, headaches, weakness and irritability to name a few. 

Different types of salt 

However, it's important to know the difference between a natural salt and table salt. Table salt is sodium chloride and is extremely processed. Natural salts come in their complete form. For example, sea salt and pink Himalayan rock salt. When it comes to sea salt, it has a protective effect against heart disease and promotes good vascular health. 

Balances electrolytes 

Sea salt is high in electrolytes which prevents muscle cramps during exercise. Sea salt contains sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium which are all essential minerals for good health and well-being. These minerals must come from the diet because the body is unable to create them and without it, you will experience irregular heartbeat, fatigue and nausea. 

(Image credit: Paleo Hacks) 

Improves sleep 

When swapping table salt for natural salts, it can allow you to sleep better and you are less thirsty or hungry and have overall satisfaction after a meal. It's important to get enough salt anytime you exercise as the body will sweat it out which is why athletes tend to use salt tablets for better rehydration. 

Enhances the nervous system

Sodium regulates water flow throughout the body which is vital for a healthy nervous system. The water in the nervous system requires salt for electrical conduction to send and receive nervous system signals. Your brain needs the right salt balance which is why sea salt is also a better option than table salt. 

Maybe take your Gookie Dough to the next level and add a sprinkle of sea salt to the mix and some tinned caramel. Twist it up and voila you have a salted caramel dessert. Complete pudding goals!