Gooey Cookie Dough Cake Recipe

Sweet Cookie Dough Cake Recipe – A Playful Baking Adventure

Sweet, gooey, and utterly irresistible, this cookie dough cake recipe delivers pure dessert magic in every single slice.

cookie lovers rejoice as layers of soft, tender cake meld with rich chocolate chip cookie-inspired elements.

Dense, creamy frosting blankets each decadent tier, creating a dessert that feels like an indulgent dream.

Chocolate chips scattered throughout promise delightful bursts of classic cookie flavor.

Bakery-style perfection meets homemade comfort in this showstopping treat that turns ordinary moments into celebration-worthy occasions.

Each forkful promises a nostalgic journey back to childhood cookie memories.

Dive into this delectable creation and let your taste buds dance with pure, unbridled joy.

  • Cookie Dough Preparation

Craft delightful cookie dough balls ahead of time, chilling them to maintain perfect shape and texture. Gently form soft patties that will later nestle inside cake layers.

  • Cake Batter Foundation

Create a velvety cake mixture by blending butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like consistency. Gradually incorporate eggs and yogurt, ensuring a silky smooth base.

  • Layer Construction

Carefully distribute cake batter across three round pans, strategically embedding chilled cookie dough patties within the layers. This ensures surprising pockets of sweet excitement in every slice.

  • Baking Magic

Slide pans into a preheated oven, allowing the cake to rise and develop a golden exterior. Watch closely as the layers transform from liquid to tender, delectable goodness.

  • Buttercream Brilliance

Whip up a decadent frosting that combines rich brown sugar with creamy butter. Fold in mini chocolate chips for unexpected bursts of chocolatey delight.

  • Decorative Finale

Drizzle luxurious chocolate ganache across the cake’s surface, allowing it to cascade elegantly down the sides. Sprinkle remaining cookie dough crumbles on top for a show-stopping presentation.

Ideas for Filling Swaps or Frosting

  • Replace semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips for a unique flavor twist.
  • Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive bakers.
  • Chill cookie dough balls longer for firmer patties or freeze them briefly to prevent melting during cake baking.
  • Try cream cheese frosting or add a splash of bourbon to the buttercream for an adult-friendly sophisticated flavor profile.
  • Allow cake ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more consistent cake texture.
  • Cookie Dough Bliss Plating: Serve this decadent cake on a sleek white ceramic plate to make the chocolate drips and cookie dough crumbles pop visually.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream Pairing: Complement the rich cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cold glass of milk to balance the intense chocolate flavors.
  • Party Presentation Wow: Slice the cake at the table for a dramatic reveal, showcasing the hidden cookie dough pockets and gooey chocolate ganache drizzle that will impress guests.
  • Dessert Bar Centerpiece: Display the cake on a elevated cake stand with additional cookie dough crumbles scattered around the base for a stunning dessert table focal point.
  • Smart Storage Solutions
  • Refrigerator Sanctuary: Store your fully assembled cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, which allows safe freezing for 2-3 months without compromising taste or texture.
  • Counter Caution: Keep cake at room temperature for no more than 4 hours, especially considering the buttercream and cookie dough components that require cooler temperatures.
  • Quick Slice Preparation: Before serving chilled cake, allow it to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, helping buttercream soften and flavors become more pronounced.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 13

For Cookie Dough Base:
  • Butter: Creamy foundation that provides rich, luxurious texture and deep flavor complexity.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet powerhouses that create caramelized depth and tender structure.
  • Milk: Moisture booster that helps blend ingredients smoothly and enhances softness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic enhancer that adds warm, comforting undertones.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Structural backbone that gives cookie dough its classic consistency.
  • Salt: Flavor amplifier that balances sweetness and heightens overall taste.
  • Chocolate Chips: Decadent morsels that deliver delightful bursts of chocolatey excitement.
For Cake Layers:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental base that creates tender, soft cake texture.
  • Baking Powder: Leavening agent that ensures light, airy cake rise.
  • Salt: Subtle flavor enhancer that brightens other ingredients.
  • Butter: Richness generator that provides smooth, velvety cake foundation.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetness provider that creates delicate, moist crumb.
  • Eggs: Binding miracle workers that contribute structure and richness.
  • Plain Yogurt: Moisture magician that keeps cake incredibly tender.
  • Vanilla Extract: Flavor deepener that adds warm, rounded notes.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Playful chocolate nuggets scattered throughout cake.
For Buttercream and Finishing:
  • Butter: Creamy base that creates silky, luxurious frosting texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Caramel-like sweetener that adds complex depth.
  • Powdered Sugar: Smoothness creator for perfectly spreadable frosting.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Unique thickening agent that mimics cookie dough texture.
  • Milk: Liquid adjustor that helps achieve perfect frosting consistency.
  • Salt: Flavor balancer that prevents overwhelming sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic enhancer that rounds out frosting flavor.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips: Delightful sprinkles of chocolatey crunch.
  • Heavy Cream: Luxurious ganache base that creates glossy, smooth finish.
  • Chocolate: Rich, melty component for decadent ganache drizzle.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ganache thinner that helps create perfect dripping consistency.
  • Hand or Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, mixing batters, and creating smooth buttercream.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
  • 8-inch Round Cake Pans (3): Needed for baking cake layers.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cake from sticking and helps with easy removal.
  • Whisk: For mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth ganache.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Small Offset Spatula: Perfect for spreading ganache and frosting.
  • Mixing Bowls: For preparing different components of the recipe.
  • Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for heating cream for ganache.
  • Wax Paper: Helps store cookie dough patties.
  • Toothpick: Checks cake doneness.
Print
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Gooey Cookie Dough Cake Recipe

Gooey Cookie Dough Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Rich layers of chocolate chip cookie dough cake celebrate nostalgic dessert flavors with creamy frosting and classic cookie crumbles. Indulgent slices promise sweet memories while satisfying deep chocolate cravings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (400g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup (130g) light brown sugar
  • ¾ cup (140g) light brown sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (330g) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (110g) unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups (330g) unsalted butter
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (125g) 2% Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup (60 ml) milk
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
  • 4 oz (½ cup) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (180g) mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (180g) mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (90g) mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cookie Dough: Cream butter and sugars using an electric mixer until smooth, then integrate milk and vanilla. Fold in flour, salt, and chocolate chips to create a soft dough consistency.
  2. Shape and Chill Dough: Form fifteen small dough patties on a wax paper-lined plate, then refrigerate to maintain firmness.
  3. Prepare Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare three 8-inch cake pans with non-stick spray and parchment paper. Combine dry ingredients separately.
  4. Mix Cake Batter: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs individually, then blend in yogurt. Alternately incorporate flour mixture and milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in mini chocolate chips.
  5. Bake Cake Layers: Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, embedding five cookie dough patties in each. Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating midway. Cool in pans for 20 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and refrigerate for one hour.
  6. Create Buttercream: Blend butter and brown sugar until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, flour, and milk. Incorporate salt and vanilla, reserving chocolate chips.
  7. Assemble Cake: Layer cake with buttercream between sections, briefly refrigerate. Mix chocolate chips into remaining buttercream and frost cake exterior.
  8. Prepare Ganache: Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat heavy cream until bubbling, then pour over chocolate. Whisk until glossy, adding vegetable oil for drizzling consistency.
  9. Finish Cake: Pour ganache over cake’s center, allowing elegant drips. Garnish top with crumbled remaining cookie dough.

Notes

  • Chill Cookie Dough: Refrigerate patties before baking to prevent spreading and maintain structured shape.
  • Temperature Matters: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother cake batter and consistent mixing.
  • Handle with Care: Gently fold chocolate chips to prevent overmixing, which can toughen cake texture.
  • Strategic Cooling: Allow cake layers to rest in pans before transferring to prevent potential structural collapse.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 55g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 75g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg
Mia Reynolds

Mia Reynolds

Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist

Expertise

Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners

Education

New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont

  • Certificate: Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on baking skills, pastry basics, and creating delicious, approachable baked goods.

Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont

  • Degree: Certificate in Food and Beverage Management
  • Focus: Essential knowledge of recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and food business basics.

Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.

Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.

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