cookie dough layer cake is more than just a dessert; it is a celebration of childhood dreams and grown up culinary artistry, all rolled into one incredible confection. Imagine slicing into tender cake layers, revealing a luscious ribbon of creamy, edible cookie dough nestled within, then topped with a cloud of irresistible frosting. This isn’t just any cake; this is *the* cookie dough layer cake, designed to bring pure joy to every single bite. I remember the first time I dreamed of combining my two favorite treats, cake and cookie dough, and the result was pure magic. Prepare yourself for a dessert experience that truly defies expectation.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
You are going to adore this particular cookie dough layer cake recipe for so many wonderful reasons. Firstly, it offers the ultimate comfort food experience, combining the warmth of a freshly baked cake with the nostalgic delight of raw cookie dough. It is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making it accessible even for those who might feel a little intimidated by baking a layer cake. The flavors are simply divine, a perfect harmony of sweet vanilla cake, rich chocolate chip cookie dough, and a silky smooth frosting that ties everything together beautifully.
What makes this cookie dough cake recipe truly special is the edible cookie dough filling. We take extra care to ensure it is perfectly safe to eat, without sacrificing any of that irresistible doughy texture or classic flavor. Each bite is a journey back to simpler times, but with an elegant twist that makes it perfect for any occasion, from a casual family gathering to a fancy dinner party. Get ready to impress everyone with your baking prowess, and most importantly, treat yourself to a slice of pure happiness.
Ingredients Needed for This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step towards creating this magnificent cookie dough layer cake. Using high quality components will truly make a difference in the final taste and texture of your dessert.
For the Vanilla Cake Layers:
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups buttermilk, at room temperature
For the Edible Cookie Dough Filling:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour, heat treated (see notes below)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
For the Brown Sugar Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How to Make This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
Creating this cookie dough layer cake is a delightful process, and following these steps will ensure a perfect result every time. Take your time, enjoy each stage, and remember that baking is a labor of love.
- 1. Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8 inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- 2. Make the Edible Cookie Dough Filling: First, heat treat your flour by spreading it on a baking sheet and baking at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes, or microwaving on high in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute intervals until it reaches 160°F (71°C) with an instant read thermometer. This step kills any potential bacteria. Once the flour is cool, in a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the milk and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the heat treated flour and salt until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips. Set aside.
- 3. Prepare the Brown Sugar Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, brown sugar, milk or cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium high speed and beat for 3 to 5 minutes until light and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- 4. Assemble Your cookie dough layer cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread the entire edible cookie dough filling evenly over the top of this first cake layer. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the cookie dough. Now, use an offset spatula or knife to frost the entire cake with the brown sugar buttercream, covering the top and sides. Decorate as desired, perhaps with extra mini chocolate chips or a sprinkle of brown sugar.
How to Serve This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
Serving your homemade cookie dough layer cake is almost as much fun as making it. For the best presentation, use a sharp, warm knife to cut clean slices. Run the knife under hot water and wipe it clean between each cut. This creates beautiful portions that showcase the distinct cake and cookie dough layers.
This dessert is perfect on its own, but you can elevate the experience even further. Consider a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side. A light drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel sauce would also complement the flavors wonderfully. For a charming touch, sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips over each slice before serving. This cake is rich and satisfying, making it a fantastic ending to any meal, or a spectacular centerpiece for a birthday or special occasion.
How to Store This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
Proper storage is key to enjoying your cookie dough layer cake for days after baking. Once assembled, the cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain its freshness and keeps the buttercream and cookie dough layers perfectly chilled.
It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you wish to freeze the cake, you can do so before or after frosting. Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. To thaw, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight or allow individual slices to come to room temperature for a few hours. Reheating is generally not recommended for layer cakes as it can dry out the cake texture, but serving it at room temperature will soften the cookie dough and frosting to a more enjoyable consistency. For more baking tips and dessert storage guides, visit Recipes Charming
Tips to Make This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
Achieving cookie dough layer cake perfection is easier with a few expert tips. For the cake layers, make sure all your cold ingredients, especially the butter, eggs, and buttermilk, are at room temperature. This ensures a smooth batter and a tender, even crumb. Do not overmix the cake batter; mix only until the ingredients are just combined to avoid a tough cake.
When making the edible cookie dough, ensure your flour is properly heat treated to eliminate any potential health risks from raw flour. You can do this by baking it or microwaving it as described in the instructions. For best results with the buttercream, use softened butter, but not melted. If your kitchen is warm, you might need to chill the frosting briefly if it becomes too soft. Always sift your powdered sugar for the frosting to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth texture. For a neater finish, consider doing a thin “crumb coat” of frosting before applying the final generous layer. This seals in any loose crumbs.
Helpful Notes for This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
A few extra details can make your cookie dough layer cake baking experience even smoother. When measuring flour, always spoon it into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Do not pack it down, as this can result in a dry cake.
For the buttermilk, if you do not have any on hand, you can easily make your own substitute. Simply add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way to 1 ¼ cups with regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it slightly curdles before using. For equipment, an electric stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer will make creaming butter and making frosting much easier. An offset spatula is also incredibly helpful for spreading frosting and the cookie dough filling evenly.
Variation of This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
This cookie dough layer cake recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing for creative twists to suit any taste or occasion. For a seasonal change, consider adding a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice to the cake batter and cookie dough in the autumn, or a touch of peppermint extract around the holidays.
You could swap out the chocolate chips in the cookie dough for other delightful mix ins like white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts for added crunch. Another variation involves flavoring the cake layers themselves. Imagine a chocolate cake base instead of vanilla, creating a double chocolate cookie dough layer cake. For a richer frosting, try a cream cheese buttercream instead of the brown sugar version. You might even experiment with adding a layer of ganache over the cookie dough for an extra decadent touch before the top cake layer.
FAQs About This cookie dough layer cake Recipe
Q: Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers up to 2 days in advance. Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature. You can even freeze them for up to a month if double wrapped.
Q: Is it safe to eat raw cookie dough in this recipe?
A: Yes, this cookie dough cake recipe uses an edible cookie dough filling. The flour is heat treated to eliminate any potential bacteria, and there are no raw eggs in the recipe, making it perfectly safe and delicious to enjoy.
Q: My frosting is too soft. What should I do?
A: If your buttercream frosting becomes too soft, especially in a warm kitchen, simply place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to chill it slightly. Then, beat it again until it reaches the desired firm but spreadable consistency.
Q: Can I use different sized cake pans?
A: You can, but you may need to adjust the baking time. For example, if using three 6 inch cake pans, the baking time might be slightly shorter. Always keep an eye on the cake and test for doneness with a toothpick.
Conclusion
This incredible cookie dough layer cake is truly a masterpiece, bringing together the comforting flavors of childhood with the elegance of a classic dessert. I hope you feel inspired to bake this glorious creation and share it with your loved ones. There is nothing quite like the joy of seeing someone’s eyes light up after their first bite of this delightful treat. Please do not hesitate to share your baking adventures or any questions you might have in the comments below.
For more sweet inspiration and baking ideas, feel free to visit my Pinterest.
Happy baking!