Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe
If you’re looking for the ultimate way to blend nostalgia, celebration, and pure chocolatey joy, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is your dream come true! Imagine everything you love about classic chocolate chip cookies — gooey centers, crisp edges, and buttery sweetness — all in a thick, sliceable cake perfect for sharing at any party or gathering. Whether you love it with a simple sprinkle of extra chocolate chips or decked out with frosting and a cheerful message, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is a real crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is a staple you probably already have, and every one of them plays an important role in texture, flavor, and appearance. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter (¾ cup, softened): This gives the cake its rich, buttery backbone and helps create that irresistible chew.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, light or dark): Adds moisture, caramel flavor, and a soft crumb.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Lends just the right amount of sweetness and a bit of crispness.
- Large egg (1): Essential for binding the dough together and adding moisture.
- Large egg yolk (1): Extra richness and chewiness; don’t skip it!
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Rounds out all the flavors and makes every bite smell heavenly.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides the structure for slicing into perfect wedges.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookie cake rise just enough and stay tender.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances every other flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 ½ cups): The star of the show; use good quality for ultimate melty pockets!
- Optional: frosting or extra chocolate chips for decorating: These add a festive touch, perfect for birthdays and celebrations.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch round cake pan or a springform pan for easy removal, and line the bottom with parchment paper. This ensures your Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake doesn’t stick and makes for an effortless release once baked.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Aim for a light and fluffy mixture — this should take about 2–3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step is key for a beautifully tender, cookie-like crumb!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the egg, then the extra egg yolk, followed by the vanilla extract. The added egg yolk is your secret weapon for a chewy, rich Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake that holds together after slicing.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your leavening agent and salt are well distributed, so every bite tastes just right.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. You want to avoid overmixing — the dough should be thick but not tough, setting you up for that gooey center and those crisp, golden edges.
Step 6: Add Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips, holding back a handful for the top. Gently stir so they’re evenly distributed for tons of chocolate in every bite.
Step 7: Shape and Top
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Scatter the reserved chocolate chips over the top. This not only looks gorgeous but ensures every slice looks as tempting as a bakery treat.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes, keeping a close eye on the edges as they turn golden brown and the center is just set. For the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, pull it out while the center is slightly underdone — it’ll finish setting as it cools, staying super soft and chewy.
Step 9: Cool and Decorate
Let your cookie cake cool completely in the pan. Only then, remove it and decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or an extra scatter of chocolate chips. Now, slice and serve!
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Garnishes
An extra drizzle of chocolate sauce, a handful of chocolate chips, or a ring of colorful sprinkles can make your Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake feel like an instant party. Piped frosting along the edges or a message written in icing makes it fit for any celebration.
Side Dishes
Pair slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate throwback dessert. Fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream add a lovely balance to the sweetness if you want something lighter on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake into pizza-shaped wedges and serve on a big platter, or cut into bite-sized squares for sharing at potlucks. For birthdays, use themed sprinkles or personalize with names and fun messages — it’s a blank slate for your creativity!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to three days. It stays soft and chewy, and the flavors meld even more as it sits.
Freezing
You can freeze individual slices or the whole cookie cake. Wrap well in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If you love a warm, gooey center, pop individual slices in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-from-the-oven feel and makes the chocolate chips all melty again.
FAQs
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While semi-sweet is classic, feel free to swap in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a mix for a twist. Peanut butter or white chocolate chips also add extra flavor dimensions.
What’s the best way to prevent a dry cookie cake?
The secret is not to overbake! Remove your Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake once the edges are golden and the center is just barely set. It will continue to firm up as it cools, staying soft and chewy.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The taste and texture will be a bit different, but you’ll still get a delicious, share-worthy treat.
Do I have to use a round pan?
Nope! A square or even rectangular pan works just fine, though baking times might vary slightly. Just watch for those golden edges and a set center as your doneness cues.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or toffee bits can be folded in with the chocolate chips for extra crunch and flavor. Customize to your heart’s content!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, I really hope you give it a go! It’s everything you love about homemade cookies, but even more festive and shareable. Perfect for birthdays, parties, or any time you need a little extra cheer — there’s just nothing quite like slicing into this glorious cookie masterpiece.
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the decadent delight of a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, a perfect combination of a classic cookie and a celebratory cake in one delightful treat.
Ingredients
Dough:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional Toppings:
- frosting
- extra chocolate chips for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan, line with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light. Add egg, egg yolk, vanilla; mix well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt. Gradually add to wet mix.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in chocolate chips, leaving some for topping.
- Bake: Press dough into pan, top with reserved chips. Bake 20–25 mins until golden.
- Cool and Serve: Cool in pan before slicing or decorating with frosting.
Notes
- For a chewy center and crisp edges, avoid overmixing the dough.
- Customize with frosting, sprinkles, or writing for special occasions.
- Can be made a day ahead and stored covered at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
