The BEST Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe (with tips!) (2024)

This easy recipe for chocolate chip cookie cake with vanilla icing is perfect for a birthday or special event. Out of the oven in just 20 minutes from start to finish, this delicious cookie cake will be your new birthday go-to recipe! Make this recipe with einkorn flour or any all-purpose flour.

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Whether it's a classic chocolate chip cookie or a seasonal favorite like gingersnaps, we love a good cookie around here.

We also enjoy any celebration that includes cake... so when we can combine them into a delightful cookie cake, so much the better!

This cookie cake is made with all whole ingredients and has the perfect firm but soft texture that you'll remember from your own childhood. Plus, it only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish to have this cookie cake baked and cooling!

3 Secrets to the Perfect Cookie Cake

While you can absolutely just mix all the ingredients together and bake this cookie cake, having a few expert tips under your belt will help make this the best cookie cake you've ever had!

1. Mix by Hand - Instead of using a mixer for this recipe, just mix the ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Unlike the process of making chocolate chip cookies, you don't want to add much air to this dough. You want it to compress when baked to give it that perfect soft cookie cake texture.
2. Keep it Thin - As you are rolling or pressing out the dough before baking, be sure to keep the thickness between 1/4 and 1/2 inch. This allows the dough to bake evenly and keeps the cookie cake from puffing up! We pressed ours to 1/4 inch and it was the perfect thickness after baking!
3. Don't Overbake - Bake only until the dough starts to brown on the top. This will help keep the cookie soft and it will give you a nice finished top for adding your icing. 12-14 minutes is the recommendation and will vary a bit based on how thin you press the dough. 12 minutes was perfect in my oven at a 1/4 inch dough thickness.

Ingredients

Here's a quick look at everything you'll need to make this homemade cookie cake! Exact measurements are included in the printable recipe at the end of the post.

For the Cookie Cake:

• Butter - We use salted butter, but if you want to use unsalted, just add 1/4 tsp of salt in addition to the salt already called for in the recipe. Shorting case be used in place of butter if needed.
• Panela (or light brown sugar) - Provides sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor. Substitution: Regular brown sugar or white sugar.
• Egg - Binds ingredients and adds moisture for a tender texture. Substitution: 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce for an egg-free option.
• Vanilla Extract - Enhances flavor and aroma, don't skip this!
• Baking Soda - Acts as a leavening agent for a rise.
• Baking Powder - Helps create a soft and light texture.
• Salt - Enhances overall flavor. We use pink salt but use whatever kind you'd like.
• All-Purpose Flour - We use einkorn flour, but you can use whatever type of all-purpose flour you'd like.
• Chocolate Chips - We use dark chocolate chips, however, you can use milk chocolate, white chocolate, or a combination of all three types!

For the Frosting:

• Butter - Forms the base of the creamy buttercream. Unsalted butter with a pinch of salt can be used instead. You can also use shortening in place of the butter for a dairy-free option.
• Powdered Sugar - Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract - Adds a delightful vanilla flavor.
• Salt - Again, we use pink salt, but use what you have on hand.
• Milk - Allows you to adjust the frosting's consistency. You can also use almond or soy milk for dairy-free.

Instructions

While it might seem like a lot of steps, the process of making your own cookie cake is very simple! After you make this recipe once, you'll love how easy it is!

• Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F while you prep the dough.
• Prep: Using a rolling pin, crush half of the chocolate chips in a plastic bag and set the rest aside. Heat the butter until it's just melted.
• Mix: Combine sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and mix until combined. Add in the all-purpose flour and mix until smooth. Finally, add the crushed and whole chocolate chips.
• Rest: After mixing the dough, allow it to rest for about 3-5 minutes so it is easier to work with.
• Press: Place the dough onto a piece of parchment paper and press into a circle using your hands. Try to keep the thickness even. Press the edges in to keep an even edge.
• Trim with Foil: Rip a piece of aluminum foil that is 40 inches long. Fold 4 times, with the shiny side out, and add it around the edge of the cookie dough. Press in slightly to ensure a good connection with the dough. (This helps keep the dough from spreading while baking!)
• Bake: Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the rolled-out cookie dough onto a baking tray. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes, ensuring not to overbake.
• Cool: Allow the cookie cake to cool completely before decorating.

Frost and Decorate:

I used a Wilton 1M piping tip for the star edging and for the flowers in the middle of the cookie cake. This is a great all-purpose tip if you want to do a variety of decorations!

• Make Frosting: Prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting by whipping the butter for 2-3 minutes and then adding the powdered sugar and vanilla and whipping again. Use the milk to adjust the thickness of the icing until you reach the desired texture.
• Pipe Edges: Use a large star piping tip to pipe frosting around the edges.
• Personalize (optional): Consider doubling the frosting recipe for more decorative possibilities or use a cake topper kit for a special message.
• Share the Love: Cut and serve your homemade cookie cake to delight your friends and family!

Common Questions

Even More Party Dessert Ideas

If you are looking to enhance your next party, these delicious desserts are the perfect place to start!

• Einkorn Vanilla Birthday Cake
• 1930's Chocolate Cake
• Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
• Sourdough Chocolate Cake

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