Cookie Cake is packed with chocolate chips and baked to perfection, its warm, gooey center is balanced by a lightly crisp edge, making each bite pure bliss. Topped with frosting or enjoyed on its own, this dessert is perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to casual family gatherings.
What is Cookie Cake?
A cookie cake is a large, round cookie baked in a cake pan instead of a traditional cookie sheet. The dough is typically made with the same ingredients as cookies—flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and a leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder. The magic of a cookie cake comes from the fact that it’s thick, soft, and chewy, similar to a giant cookie but with the structure and presentation of a cake.
Cookie cakes are often decorated with frosting, sprinkles, or themed decorations, making them perfect for any celebration. Whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or a special event, a cookie cake will certainly wow your guests and satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients for Cookie Cake
To make a classic cookie cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Butter: Unsalted butter works best for controlling the flavor and salt content.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and structure to the dough.
- Brown Sugar: For a slightly caramelized flavor and chewy texture.
- Egg: One large egg helps bind the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla brings warmth and depth to the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The main dry ingredient for the dough.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookie cake rise slightly and become light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances the overall sweetness and balances out the flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: Classic chocolate chips are essential for the signature cookie cake taste.
Optional ingredients:
- Frosting: Buttercream or cream cheese frosting for decorating.
- Sprinkles: To add some fun and color to your cake.
- Candy: You can add your favorite candy pieces to the batter for a different flavor twist.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Cookie Cake
Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter blends better with the sugars, giving your cookie cake a smoother texture and making it easier to mix the dough.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: When adding the dry ingredients, mix only until combined. Overmixing can result in a dense, tough cookie cake.
Check for Doneness: Cookie cakes continue to cook after you remove them from the oven. If you prefer a softer, chewier cake, don’t wait for the toothpick to come out completely clean.
Let It Cool: Make sure your cookie cake is completely cool before adding frosting. Otherwise, the frosting might melt and slide off.
Customize the Flavor: If you love different types of cookies, swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even peanut butter chips to create a new flavor.
Variations of Cookie Cake
Cookie cakes are incredibly versatile, so you can easily switch up the flavors to suit your mood or the occasion. Here are a few variations:
Peanut Butter Cookie Cake: Swap out half of the butter for peanut butter for a rich, nutty flavor. You can also add a swirl of peanut butter frosting on top.
Red Velvet Cookie Cake: Add cocoa powder and red food coloring to create a beautiful red velvet version. Cream cheese frosting pairs wonderfully with this version.
Oatmeal Cookie Cake: Add rolled oats, cinnamon, and raisins to the dough for an oatmeal raisin cookie-inspired cake.
S’mores Cookie Cake: Add mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, and chocolate chunks to the dough for a fun s’mores twist.
M&M Cookie Cake: For a colorful and festive version, add M&Ms to the dough, making it perfect for birthdays or holidays.
How to Serve Cookie Cake
Serving a cookie cake is just as fun as making it! Here are a few ways to enjoy your dessert:
- With Ice Cream: Serve a slice of warm cookie cake with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an irresistible dessert.
- As a Birthday Cake: Decorate the top with a fun message, birthday candles, and colorful sprinkles for an easy and delicious birthday treat.
- With Whipped Cream: Top your cookie cake with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra sweetness.
- With Fresh Berries: For a lighter touch, top the cake with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries to balance out the richness.
How to Store Cookie Cake
Cookie cakes can be stored for several days, making them a great option for make-ahead desserts. Here’s how to store your cookie cake:
- At Room Temperature: If you plan to enjoy your cookie cake within 3-4 days, simply cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
- In the Refrigerator: To extend its shelf life, you can refrigerate the cookie cake for up to a week. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: If you have leftovers or want to make the cookie cake in advance, freeze it for up to 2-3 months. Wrap the cooled cookie cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil before placing it in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw overnight at room temperature.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make a cookie cake without chocolate chips? Yes! You can skip the chocolate chips or use other mix-ins like M&Ms, nuts, or white chocolate chips. The cookie cake will still be delicious.
How can I make a smaller cookie cake? If you don’t need a large cookie cake, you can scale down the recipe and use a smaller cake pan. Simply halve the ingredients and bake in a 6-inch pan.
Can I decorate the cookie cake in advance? Yes! You can bake and cool the cookie cake ahead of time, then decorate it the day you plan to serve it. This makes it easy to prepare for parties or events.
Why is my cookie cake too dry? If your cookie cake turns out dry, it could be due to overbaking or measuring the flour too precisely. Be sure to check for doneness early and spoon the flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping directly from the bag.
Cookie Cake
Cookie Cake is packed with chocolate chips and baked to perfection, its warm, gooey center is balanced by a lightly crisp edge, making each bite pure bliss.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Cake:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (½ cup chopped, ½ cup whole)
For the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ¾ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1-2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (175℃). Grease a 11.5-inch metal cookie cake pan (or line with parchment paper).
- Chop the Chocolate Chips: Chop half of the chocolate chips into smaller pieces for a mix of chocolate flakes and chunks.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, melt the butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Add both sugars and mix with a spatula. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Add the baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then mix.
- Gradually add the flour and mix until combined. Fold in the chopped and whole chocolate chips.
- Prepare the Pan: Drop chunks of dough into the greased pan, pressing it down evenly using a spatula (smooth out the corners and separate any stuck-together chocolate chips).
- Bake: Bake for 12-14 minutes, until slightly golden on top but still soft. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a rack.
- Frosting: Beat softened butter on medium-high for 2 minutes until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing on low. Add vanilla and salt, then milk one tablespoon at a time. Beat on high until creamy. If too thick, add a little more milk; if too runny, add powdered sugar.
- Decorate: Once the cookie cake is cool, pipe frosting along the edges and add sprinkles. For a personalized touch, double the frosting recipe to write messages or use a cake topper kit.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 327Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 46mgSodium 135mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 1gSugar 31gProtein 3g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Conclusion
Cookie cakes are a fun and delicious way to enjoy a large, shareable dessert with all the comfort of a classic cookie. Whether you stick with a traditional chocolate chip version or get creative with mix-ins and toppings, cookie cakes are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. So, next time you want to bake something special, skip the cookies and go for a big, beautiful cookie cake that everyone will love!
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