Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe
A soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie cake decorated with chocolate buttercream frosting. This large cookie dessert is easy to make and perfect for sharing.
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Ingredients
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup salted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 14-inch pizza pan without holes.
- Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla and eggs and beat until combined.
- Add dry ingredients and mix until incorporated.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Spread dough into a 12–13-inch circle on the prepared pan.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and set.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Transfer to a serving platter, decorate with frosting, and serve.
Notes
- Nutrition information is calculated for the cookie cake without frosting.
- Nutrition information is based on the supplied recipe details and may vary depending on ingredients and quantities used.
This chocolate chip cookie cake combines everything people love about classic cookies with the fun of a celebration cake. It has a soft, chewy center, slightly doughy texture, plenty of chocolate chips, and a smooth chocolate buttercream frosting that makes it easy to decorate and share.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 18 servings
Calories: 344 per serving
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Gives you the flavor and texture of chocolate chip cookies in a larger, sliceable cake format.
- Comes together quickly with only 20 minutes of total preparation and baking time.
- Makes a generous dessert that is easy to serve to a group.
- Can be customized with different types of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
- Works well for birthdays, celebrations, or casual dessert tables.
Equipment You’ll Need
- KitchenAid mixer or hand-held mixer
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Spatula
- 14-inch pizza pan without holes
If using a pizza pan with holes, cover it with aluminum foil and lightly grease it before adding the cookie dough.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup salted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
For Decoration
Chocolate buttercream frosting
The combination of softened butter, brown sugar, and chocolate chips creates the familiar chocolate chip cookie flavor, while the baking soda helps provide the right texture for the cookie cake.
Easy Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour
For a gluten-free version, substitute with a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour.
Fine Sea Salt
Use fine sea salt rather than coarse salt. If using iodized table salt, decrease the amount by half.
Salted Butter
Unsalted butter can be used instead of salted butter.
Light Brown Sugar
Dark brown sugar can replace light brown sugar and will add a stronger molasses flavor.
Chocolate Chips
You can use chocolate chunks, chopped chocolate, or different chocolate varieties such as milk, dark, or white chocolate.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 14-inch pizza pan without holes and set it aside.
If your pan has holes, cover the surface with aluminum foil and lightly grease it before using.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes.
This step helps create a smoother cookie dough texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat until the mixture becomes fluffy, about 1 minute.
Step 5: Combine the Dough
Add the dry ingredient mixture and beat until just combined.
Avoid mixing longer than needed once the flour is incorporated.
Step 6: Add Chocolate Chips
Stir in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Shape the Cookie Cake
Spread the cookie dough into a 12–13-inch circle on the prepared pizza pan.
Leave a 1–1½-inch border between the cookie dough and the outside edge of the pan to allow room for spreading.
Step 8: Bake the Cookie Cake
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and set.
Remove from the oven and allow the cookie cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 9: Decorate and Serve
Once cooled, transfer the cookie cake to a serving platter. Decorate with chocolate buttercream frosting and allow the frosting to set before serving.
Slice and enjoy.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Use softened butter so the butter and sugars cream together smoothly.
- Do not spread the dough all the way to the edge of the pan because it needs space to expand.
- Allow the cookie cake to cool completely before decorating so the frosting stays firm.
- Use room-temperature serving conditions for the best soft and chewy texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Spreading the Dough Too Close to the Pan Edge
The cookie dough expands while baking. Leaving space around the edges helps maintain the cookie cake shape.
Decorating Before Cooling
Adding frosting while the cookie cake is warm can cause the decoration to soften or lose its shape.
Overmixing After Adding Flour
Mix only until the ingredients combine to help maintain a soft cookie texture.
Variations
Double Chocolate Cookie Cake
Use a combination of chocolate chips and chopped chocolate for a richer chocolate flavor.
White Chocolate Cookie Cake
Replace semisweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips.
Mixed Chocolate Cookie Cake
Combine milk, dark, and white chocolate chips for different flavors in every slice.
Make Ahead Instructions
The cookie cake can be prepared a day before serving. Store it properly until ready to decorate or serve.
What to Serve With Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Serve slices at room temperature with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate ice cream
- A glass of milk
- Coffee or tea
How to Store Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Store leftover cookie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, keep it refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Remove the cookie cake from the refrigerator about 30–60 minutes before serving so it can soften and return closer to room temperature.
How to Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Leftover slices can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
The entire cookie cake can be frozen for up to 2 months. Flash-freeze it until the frosting becomes firm, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
The unfrosted cookie cake can also be frozen and decorated after it thaws to room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cookie cake without a stand mixer?
Yes. A hand-held mixer can be used, or the dough can be prepared using a suitable mixing method with the same ingredients.
Can I use different chocolate in this recipe?
Yes. Chocolate chunks, chopped chocolate, and different chocolate chip varieties can be used.
How do I keep cookie cake soft?
Store it in an airtight container and avoid leaving it uncovered for extended periods.
Can I make chocolate chip cookie cake ahead of time?
Yes. It can be prepared the day before serving and stored until needed.
Should cookie cake be refrigerated?
It can be stored at room temperature for short-term storage or refrigerated for longer storage.
