Taste-Off: The best chocolate sandwich cookies

Frosting filled chocolate wafers are a magical thing. They’re sweet, rich, and so fun to munch, dunk or nibble  — or twist open for frosting-only consumption. That combination of crispy plus creamy is its own kind of heaven.

Since Nabisco introduced the Oreo in 1912, the chocolate sandwich cookie has become a huge favorite — it’s the best-selling cookie in the United States. In the 1970s, Nabisco upped its game by adding a double-stuffed version, the first in a long line of styles and flavors.

The treat’s success has also inspired a host of copycats vying for their own spot on the cookie aisle. Some are simply cheaper versions made with lower-quality ingredients. Others are serious attempts at unseating the original; they’re made with upscale, organic, even gluten-free ingredients.

Finding the best chocolate sandwich cookie is a sweet task. The best are crispy and rich, with just enough creamy, vanilla-flavored filling to satisfy a serious sweet tooth. The worst are greasy, crumbly or have off-flavors that taste nothing like chocolate.

Here’s the scoop on the best of the bunch and the ore-oh-nos. Nutrition info refers to three cookies, a 34 to 54-gram serving.

Newman’s Own Creme Filled Chocolate Cookies

Lots of smooth filling between two extra-thick, milk chocolate-flavored cookies make for a perfect picnic dessert. The cookies are crispy, fresh and so chocolaty, they’re habit-forming. 195 calories, 7.5 g fat, 165 mg sodium, 16 g sugar. $3.99 for 13 ounces at Sprouts. (4 stars)

365 Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Carefully made cookies with just the right balance of filling to cookie make these nearly identical to Oreos — but better. The cookies are crisp and fresh — and the hit of real vanilla makes all the difference. 195 calories, 7.5 g fat, 135 mg sodium, 16.5 g sugar. $2.99 for 20 ounces at Whole Foods. (4 stars)

Annie’s Organic Grabbits Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Those who prefer a less-sweet cookie with big flavor will love these crisp, well-balanced cookies. They have a nice kick of salt, minimal filling and enough dark chocolate to satisfy. 160 calories, 7 g fat, 125 mg sodium, 13 g sugar. $4.99 for 8.06 ounces at Whole Foods. (4 stars)

Oreo Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

It’s tough to fault the cookie that started it all, but while these are good, they’re noticeably sweeter and have less chocolate flavor than the front runners. 160 calories, 7 g fat, 135 mg sodium, 14 g sugar.  $2.89 for 14.3 ounces at Target. (3½ stars)

Kinnikinnick KinniToos Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

If these clunky, crumbly, gluten-free cookies didn’t taste so good, this would be a fail. But their flavor is awesome. These make an utter mess when eaten out of hand, but they’re perfect for a chocolate cookie crust or crumbled over ice cream. 180 calories, 7 g fat, 110 mg sodium, 14 g sugar. $4.49 for 8 ounces at Sprouts. (3 stars)

Back to Nature Classic Creme Cookies

Fans of frosting will love these messy, sweet-salty cookies, as the pair of sandy-textured, light chocolate discs can barely hold the frosting.195 calories, 9 g fat, 195 mg sodium, 16 g sugar. $4.99 for 12 ounces at Sprouts. (2½ stars)

Safeway Signature Kitchens Tuxedos

For a supermarket brand, these cookies are OK. A generous dollop of filling and a hint of dark chocolate make them entirely edible, but they lack authentic chocolate and vanilla flavors. 160 calories, 6 g fat, 180 mg sodium, 15 g sugar. $2.34 for 14.3 ounces at Safeway. (2 stars)

Goodie Girl Chocolate Cream Cookies

The vanilla-forward filling in these extra-light, gluten-free cookies is tasty enough to eat with a spoon, but the cookie itself tastes flat. 170 calories, 6 g fat, 140 mg sodium, 14 g sugar. $3.50 for 10.5 ounces at Whole Foods. (1 star)

Joe-Joe’s Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies

Soft texture and not enough chocolate make these super-sweet, flour-forward cookies a big disappointment. 210 calories, 9 g fat, 120 mg sodium, 18 g sugar. $2.99 for 20 ounces at Trader Joe’s. (1 star)

Great Value Twist & Shout Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

These sloppy, tasteless cookies are unimpressive in every way. The cookies are crumbly and tasteless and the greasy filling squishes out when you take a bite. 150 calories, 7 g fat, 115 mg sodium, 12 g sugar. $1.99 for 14.3 ounces  at Walmart. (½ a star)

Market Pantry Chocolate Creme Cookies

Poor quality ingredients make these sweet cookies memorably awful. They don’t taste like chocolate, vanilla or anything else delicious. And they go damp and stale within hours of opening the package. 160 calories, 6 g fat, 180 mg sodium, 15 g sugar. $1.99 for 14.3 ounces at Target. (No stars)

Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.com. Read more Taste-off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.