Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that blends the nostalgia of chocolate chip cookies with the show-stopping presence of a cake, you’re in for a treat. This Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe is exactly what I turn to when I want something that’s both familiar and a little extra special. It’s rich, buttery, packed with melty chocolate chips, and topped with a luscious chocolate frosting that’s just the right balance of sweet and creamy. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it again and again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe is all in the buttery dough and velvety frosting. I love how the mix of brown and granulated sugar creates just the right chewy and crispy texture, and the cornstarch is a sneaky little ingredient that makes the cookie tender. Let’s break down the essentials:

• All purpose flour: The base that holds everything together; make sure it’s fresh for best results.
• Cornstarch: This is the secret to that soft, almost cake-like crumb in your cookie cake.
• Baking powder and baking soda: They work together to give your cookie lift and just enough rise.
• Salt: A pinch balances out the sweetness perfectly.
• Unsalted butter: Use room temperature butter for the frosting but mostly melted butter for the cookie dough – it creates that rich, tender bite I love.
• Brown and granulated sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar contributes to crisp edges.
• Egg and egg yolk: The yolk adds richness and an extra-chewy texture I’ve come to adore in cookie cakes.
• Vanilla extract: A must-have for depth of flavor; I always reach for pure vanilla.
• Chocolate chips: Use your favorite kind – I prefer a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips for that gooey, melty goodness.
• Cocoa powder: For the frosting, Dutch-processed cocoa powder gives it a smooth, deep chocolate flavor.
• Powdered sugar: This sweetens and thickens the frosting just right.
• Milk: Adding it a little at a time helps you get your frosting perfect—creamy but not runny.
• Sprinkles: Totally optional but fun for celebrations or just because!

Variations

I love that this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe is a great canvas for your own creativity. I often switch things up depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. Don’t be afraid to experiment—you’ll discover delicious new takes that might become your favorites!

• Use white chocolate or peanut butter chips: I swapped these in once for a friend who isn’t a chocolate fan, and honestly, it was a hit!
• Vanilla frosting option: Leave out the cocoa powder and you get a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting that’s perfect if you want something less chocolatey.
• Gluten-free tweak: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend; the baking soda and cornstarch help maintain that perfect soft texture.
• Add chopped nuts or toffee bits: For a bit of crunch and extra flavor, try folding in walnuts or toffee into the dough.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep your pan and dry ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease your 9-inch springform pan or an 11-inch cake pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper. This helps ensure the cookie cake slides right out without any sticky surprises. In a mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until everything’s nicely combined. This step might feel a bit “meh,” but trust me, it’s what keeps your cookie cake’s texture spot-on.

Step 2: Melt butter just right

Slice the butter into tablespoon-sized pieces and microwave for about 45 seconds, so most of it is melted but you still see some whole pieces floating. I discovered this trick makes the cookie cake tender and chewy without compromising structure. Plus, it blends smoothly with the sugars for that perfect dough.

Step 3: Mix wet and dry ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the mostly melted butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until well combined. Then whisk in the egg, optional egg yolk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky smooth. Stir your dry ingredients into the wet ones — just until they’re about 90% combined, so you don’t overwork the dough. Finally, fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips gently. This keeps the dough moist and prevents scrambling the texture.

Step 4: Bake your cookie cake

Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. I like to sprinkle the remaining quarter cup of chocolate chips on top because it adds a little extra chocolate pop and looks pretty! Bake for 12-15 minutes if you’re using an 11-inch pan, or 18-22 minutes for a 9-inch springform pan. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are a light golden brown and have pulled slightly away from the pan.

Step 5: Cool and prepare the frosting

Let your cookie cake cool completely on a rack – this usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. Here’s something I learned: running a butter knife around the edges within the first 5 minutes helps avoid that annoying “stuck edge” problem. Meanwhile, whip up the frosting by creaming together room temperature butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk. Mix on low first, then crank it up to medium-high until it’s lush and fluffy. Add an extra splash of milk if it feels too thick.

Step 6: Frost and serve

Once your cookie cake is cool, transfer it to a serving plate or cake stand. Use a piping bag to pipe chocolate frosting around the edges (or all over if you want!). Top with sprinkles if you’re feeling festive. Slice up and watch your friends and family go crazy for this delightful dessert.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with rainbow sprinkles or chocolate shavings on the frosting edges—they add a festive pop and taste delightful. For birthdays or celebrations, colorful sugar crystals give a fun sparkle. If you’re feeling extra, a light drizzle of caramel sauce on top pairs wonderfully with the chocolate.

Side Dishes

Because this cookie cake is rich and filling, I tend to serve it with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A dollop of whipped cream or a few sliced strawberries lighten it up and create a perfect balance. For kids’ parties, a cold glass of milk is the ultimate classic pairing.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to pipe colorful frosting border designs or use themed sprinkles for holidays. Sometimes, I cut the cookie cake into fun shapes with cookie cutters or stack smaller cookie cakes with frosting layers for a playful layered dessert. You can also serve it on a pretty cake stand wrapped with ribbon for a simple yet elegant presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. After that, I move it to the fridge to keep it fresh for another couple of days. My trick is to let it come to room temp before eating—the frosting softens nicely and the cookie regains that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully! I wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, then foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Just a heads-up—the frosting might be a bit firmer after freezing, so letting it warm up before serving works best.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy it warm, I recommend microwaving just a single slice for 10-15 seconds or warming it briefly in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. The warmth melts the chocolate chips slightly and softens the frosting without melting it off entirely, making every bite heavenly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with Frosting Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to make for everything from casual family nights to birthday celebrations. It hits that perfect sweet spot between cookie and cake, plus the frosting takes it into party dessert territory. I hope you’ll give it a try—because if you love chocolate chip cookies, you’re going to fall hard for this cookie cake variation. It’s reliably delicious, surprisingly simple, and always a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy every gooey, frosted bite!

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