Easy Cookie Cakes: Better than Store-Bought!
Tired of traditional cakes at parties? Well, good news! Cookie cakes mix soft, chewy cookies with the charm of a cake. They’re perfect for any celebration.
Chocolate chip is a tried and true classic that’s universally loved. But you can easily switch it up and go for double chocolate chip, or sugar cookie, or funfetti — there’s something for everyone.
BONUS: Making a homemade cookie cake costs about $8, while store-bought ones cost more than $20 or $30. You only need a few tools and ingredients to make these tasty treats.
They’re not hard at all, and I’ll go over all the basics, even giving you tips for decorating and keeping them fresh.
So skip the shops, and impress your loved ones with your homemade cookie cakes. Birthdays, graduation, kids’ sleepovers, or even just a dinner party. Put a smile on their faces every time!
The Perfect Basic Cookie Cake Recipe
Let’s get down to basics… This basic cookie cake recipe is a mix of classic ingredients. It makes a chocolate chip cookie cake with 10-12 slices. It includes 3/4 cup of unsalted butter, 1 cup of dark brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar for a sweet taste. Add 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
The recipe also calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. These ingredients make the cookie cake chewy and satisfying. To make it even better, mix in 1 and 1/4 cups of semisweet chocolate chips.
Start by heating your oven to 350°F. Mix the melted butter with both sugars until it’s creamy. Then, add the egg and vanilla, making sure it’s well-blended.
Next, add the dry ingredients slowly to create a smooth dough. Pour the dough into a 9-inch round cake pan. Bake for about 22-25 minutes, or until it’s puffed and has light golden edges.
You can enjoy your cookie cake as is or add frosting. For a chocolatey treat, make a fudgy chocolate frosting. Use 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Let the cookie cake cool before adding the frosting. Decorate it with rainbow sprinkles or piped messages!
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 3/4 cup (180g) |
| Dark Brown Sugar | 1 cup (210g) |
| Granulated Sugar | 1/4 cup (50g) |
| Large Egg + Egg Yolk | 1 + 1 |
| Vanilla Extract | 2 tsp |
| All-Purpose Flour | 2 cups (265g) |
| Kosher Salt | 1 tsp |
| Baking Powder | 1/2 tsp |
| Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips | 1 1/4 cup (225g) |
Key Ingredients for Delicious Cookie Cakes
The secret to a great cookie cake is in its ingredients. Knowing how each part works can make your baking better. Butter is key for that chewy texture everyone wants. Using melted butter makes the dough smooth, perfect for a great bite. (Are you drooling yet?)
Mixing the dough with a spatula is best. It stops over-mixing, which makes the cake too dense.
Butter: The Secret to Chewiness
Butter is the main ingredient in cookie cakes. The type of butter you use matters. Salted butter adds flavor, while unsalted gives you control over salt.
Using room temperature butter makes it creamy. Melted butter makes the dough silky. This ensures your cookie cake is chewy and delicious.
Different Types of Sugar
Sugar is another important part of baking. Mixing brown sugar and white sugar is best. Brown sugar adds moisture and flavor, while white sugar caramelizes for chewiness.
How to Make Cookie Cakes in Simple Steps
Making a cookie cake is easy and fun. Follow these steps to make a tasty cookie cake that will wow everyone. Pay attention to mixing the dough right and baking it well for the best results.
Mixing the Dough
First, get your ingredients ready. For this cookie cake, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup of packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp of baking soda
- 1 tsp of salt
- 2 cups of mini chocolate chips
Start by mixing the butter with the sugars. Then, add the eggs and vanilla until it’s smooth. Add the dry ingredients slowly, making sure they mix well. Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips for a tasty flavor mix.
Baking Tips for Perfect Results
Preheat your oven to 350°F when you’re ready to bake. Pour the dough into a greased 9-inch cake pan. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes, watching for it to be lightly browned but still soft inside.
Let the cake cool completely in the pan. Waiting 4 hours or overnight at room temperature makes it soft and perfect for frosting. Remember, these baking tips will make your cookie cake a success!
Cookie Cakes: Easy Variations and Substitutions
Ready to get creative? Cookie cakes are great because you can change them up easily. You can try different flavors and textures by making simple swaps. This makes them perfect for anyone’s taste or dietary needs.
Want to add some flavor to your cookie cakes? Try using white chocolate, peanut butter chips, and/or M&M’s instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips. This lets you create tasty variations for any taste. Adding nuts gives a nice crunch and a different flavor.
Need to avoid gluten? No problem. Just use a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. This way, everyone can enjoy your cookie cake, no matter their dietary restrictions.
- Flavored cookie cakes can include:
- Chocolate chip walnut cookie cake
- Red velvet cookie cake
- Coconut macaroon cookie cake
These cookie cake variations are not just tasty. They also keep the chewy texture that makes them so good. Get creative and make your baking even better! Try different frosting flavors like caramel or almond to take it up a notch.
| Ingredient | Variation |
|---|---|
| Chocolate Chips | White chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips |
| Flour | Gluten-free flour blend |
| Nuts | Walnuts, pecans, or almond slices |
| Frosting | Chocolate, vanilla, or flavored options like lemon or almond |
With these tips, you can make your cookie cakes really special with just a little effort. The fun of baking is trying new things and seeing what works. So, go ahead and experiment with every batch!
Fun Decorating Ideas for Your Cookie Cake
Decorating cookie cakes is a fun way to take your cookie cake to the next level. You can use different frostings and decorations to make your cake unique. Try vanilla buttercream or chocolate frosting for a special touch. Add personal touches like letter stencils or fun cake toppers to make it stand out. Write “Happy Birthday” or someone’s name or something funny like “Eat Me!”
Frosting Options to Elevate Your Cake
Choosing the right frosting is key for taste and looks. A good frosting can make your cake amazing. Here are some great frosting ideas for your cookie cake:
- Vanilla Buttercream: Classic and easy to pipe, this frosting pairs well with any cake flavor.
- Chocolate Frosting: Rich and decadent, perfect for chocolate lovers.
- Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy, ideal for a softer touch.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Offers tanginess, complementing cookie cakes delightfully.
To make frosting, mix ½ cup unsalted butter, 2 ½ cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk. This makes a thick frosting that’s great for designs.
| Frosting Type | Flavor Profile | Best Used With |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Buttercream | Sweet and Creamy | All Cookie Cakes |
| Chocolate Frosting | Rich and Decadent | Chocolate Cookie Cakes |
| Whipped Cream | Light and Fluffy | Cookies with Fruits |
| Cream Cheese Frosting | Tangy | Spice & Nut Cookie Cakes |
For decorating, use fun items like sprinkles, themed toppers, and glitter. Many people like adding M&Ms or Oreos for extra flavor and look. These tips will help make your cookie cake a hit at any event.
Storing and Serving Your Cookie Cakes
Keeping cookie cakes fresh is key. For unfrosted ones, store them at room temperature in a covered container. This method keeps them tasty for days. If your cookie cake is frosted, refrigerate it to keep it fresh for a day.
Use airtight containers to stop them from drying out. This helps keep the flavors rich and delicious.
For serving, a sharp knife is best. Cut the cake into triangles for a traditional look or squares for easy bites. This makes cookie cakes perfect for any event.
| Cake Type | Storage Method | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Unfrosted Cookie Cake | Room temperature, covered | Up to 5 days |
| Frosted Cookie Cake | Refrigerate, covered | Up to 5 days |
| Frozen Cookie Cake | Wrap in plastic and foil | Up to 3 months |
| Cookie Cake Slices | Wrap individually in plastic | Up to 2 months |
By following these tips, you can keep your cookie cakes fresh and tasty. This way, you can enjoy them with family and friends.
Why Choose Homemade Cookie Cakes over Store-Bought?
Homemade cookie cakes have many benefits over store-bought ones. You get to control the flavors and ingredients. This means you can make them just the way you like, without preservatives.
When you bake at home, you can get creative. You can make unique designs for any event. This makes your cookie cakes special and memorable.
Homemade cookie cakes taste better and feel fresher. They have a soft, cake-like texture. This makes them perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Using top-quality ingredients is key to great taste. Ingredients like flour, butter, sugars, and vanilla make your cookie cakes delicious. You can choose from many flavors, like chocolate chip or peanut butter swirl.
Choosing homemade cookie cakes shows you care. It’s a thoughtful gesture that brings people together. Homemade treats offer a personal touch that store-bought ones can’t match.
Explore More Delicious Dessert Recipes
Need some variety in addition to your cookie cake? Or looking for different options all together? Well get inspired by some of my favorite super easy desserts.
