Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Who else grew up crossing alllll the fingers that a giant chocolate chip cookie cake would be served at your friend’s birthday party? It was the best, right?! Well, now you can make it at home! This easy chocolate chip cookie cake recipe comes together quickly and will be the hit of any birthday party. Add chocolate frosting and sprinkles to make it extra festive!
Anyone who grew up in the 1980s has at some point consumed a cookie cake, am I right? They definitely weren’t the typical go-to for birthday cakes, so when they made an appearance, everyone was insanely excited. Give me a party with a cookie cake or an ice cream cake, and I was one ecstatic little girl. One of my aunts, in particular, always served chocolate chip cookie cakes, so I was naturally excited for every one of my cousins’ birthday parties.
It’s amazing how one gigantic chocolate chip cookie can incite so much giddiness in a bunch of kids. I have a feeling it’s less about the cookie and more about the notion of something different and out of the ordinary. That is the same reason I still love cookie cakes as an adult!
Finding the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
When first brainstorming a recipe for a homemade chocolate chip cookie cake, I immediately thought of my favorite chocolate chip cookie that doesn’t require the dough to be refrigerated (thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies), but they tend to be a bit on the ooey and gooey side. While that’s absolutely perfect for cookies, it wouldn’t work as well for a “cake” that needs to be sliced and served.
After slightly increasing the flour and playing around with baking powder and baking soda, I had a perfect combination of flavor and sturdiness.
This cookie cake bakes up super soft but with enough stability to not fall apart when it’s sliced, which is chocolate chip cookie cake perfection. The best part? It can be mixed together and in the oven in just 10 minutes; be ready to party in no time!
This can be served plain, with a big, dripping scoop of ice cream, or decorated with buttercream frosting (and sprinkles!). Anything goes here!
As you can see, when it comes to food, I’m definitely still a kid at heart.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 cup (213 g) light brown sugar
- ½ cup (99 g) granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan, then line the bottom with a round of parchment paper; set aside.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside.
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugars together until thoroughly blended. Beat in the egg, yolk, and vanilla until combined. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed just until combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips.
- Turn the dough out into the prepared cake pan and use your fingers to press into an even layer. Bake until the cookie cake is light golden brown and the outer edges have started to harden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and plan the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Use a metal spatula to loosen the sides of the cake from pan, then turn it out and place it on a serving plate or platter. Serve or decorate as desired. Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container and kept at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in February 2014; updated in January 2020 with new photos and clearer recipe instructions.
[photos by Ari of Well Seasoned]
We frost the entire cake with store-bought marshmallow fluff! Then it has a s’moresy flavor combo
I want to make a 12 inch heart chocolate chip cookie cake. Do you think I should double this recipe and bake longer or will one batch be enough?
I have made this several times this year and it has become a favorite among my family! I make mine in a jelly roll pan so it makes it a little thinner (still thicker than store bought) and use the cooking times listed above! My husband says it is so much better than the famous store that makes them! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
This is my third time making this gluten free and it’s the beeeeest! Thank you!