Cookies and cream cake is a heavenly dessert that perfectly blends rich chocolate and creamy vanilla flavors. Imagine biting into a slice where luscious icing meets crunchy cookie bits, delivering an explosion of taste with every mouthful.
This delightful cake holds a special place in my heart, often serving as the star of family celebrations. Whether it’s a birthday or just because we need cake, cookies and cream cake brings everyone together, evoking joy with its delightful aroma and visual appeal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This cookies and cream cake is incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for novice bakers
- The flavor combination of chocolate and cream creates a delightful balance that everyone will love
- Its striking layers of cookies and frosting make it visually stunning on any dessert table
- Versatile enough for birthdays or casual gatherings, this cake never disappoints
I once made this cookies and cream cake for my sister’s birthday, and let’s just say the clean plates spoke louder than words.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
-
All-Purpose Flour: A must-have for creating a soft cake texture; sift before measuring for best results.
-
Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor that balances sweetness perfectly.
-
Baking Powder: This helps your cake rise beautifully; ensure it’s fresh for optimal results.
-
Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the batter; feel free to adjust based on your sweetness preference.
-
Eggs: These are essential for binding ingredients together; use room-temperature eggs for better mixing.
-
Milk: Whole milk adds moisture; you can substitute almond milk if you’re looking for a dairy-free option.
-
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances flavor depth; skip imitation versions if possible.
-
Cream Cheese: Essential for the frosting, providing a tangy contrast to the sweetness of the cake.
-
Heavy Cream: Whipping cream adds lightness to your frosting; keep it cold for better whipping results.
-
Oreos (or other chocolate sandwich cookies): Crushed Oreos add that signature crunch and flavor throughout the cake.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or nonstick spray to ensure easy release later.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sugar until well combined. This will help distribute all those dry elements evenly.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat eggs with milk and vanilla extract until frothy. Pour this mixture into your dry ingredients gradually while stirring to avoid clumps.
Add Cookies!: Gently fold in crushed Oreos into the batter, allowing their chocolatey goodness to swirl throughout. This step adds both texture and flavor!
Bake Your Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean!
Prepare The Frosting: While cakes cool down, whip cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add heavy cream and powdered sugar while continuing to whip until fluffy peaks form—deliciously dreamy!
Now that you have your cakes cooled down and frosting ready, it’s time to assemble this masterpiece!
You Must Know
- This cookies and cream cake is a showstopper that combines rich chocolate with creamy goodness
- The delightful crunch of crushed cookies adds texture, while the sweet aroma fills your kitchen
- Perfect for parties or simply indulging on a cozy night in
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by baking the chocolate cake layers first, allowing them to cool before preparing the frosting. While they cool, crush the cookies and mix them into the frosting for a delightful crunch.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out chocolate cake for vanilla or use different flavored cookies to give it a personal twist. Adding a layer of whipped cream between the cakes can elevate this dessert further.
Storing & Reheating
Store any leftover cookies and cream cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. No need to reheat; simply enjoy it chilled!
Chef's Helpful Tips
- To avoid dry layers, ensure you don’t overbake the cake; check for doneness with a toothpick around 30 minutes
- For extra flavor, use high-quality cocoa powder in your batter
- Lastly, let your cake layers cool completely before frosting to prevent melting
Sharing my first experience making this cookies and cream cake was unforgettable; my friends declared it their new favorite dessert at our game night!
FAQ
What is the best way to crush cookies for this recipe?
Use a food processor for fine crumbs or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them manually.
Can I make this cookies and cream cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the layers a day in advance and frost just before serving.
How do I make this dessert gluten-free?
Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking without compromising texture.
Cookies and Cream Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 slices 1x
Description
Cookies and cream cake is a delightful dessert that masterfully combines rich chocolate with creamy vanilla and crunchy cookie bits. This easy-to-make cake is perfect for any celebration, evoking joy and togetherness with its delicious flavor and stunning presentation. Ideal for novice bakers, the cookies and cream cake will surely impress your guests at birthdays or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup heavy cream (cold)
- 1 ½ cups crushed Oreos (or other chocolate sandwich cookies)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sugar.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs with milk and vanilla until frothy. Gradually mix into the dry ingredients.
- Fold in crushed Oreos gently into the batter.
- Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While cooling, whip cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add heavy cream and powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Assemble by layering cakes with frosting in between and on top.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: To crush cookies easily, use a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag. For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. You can prepare cake layers one day in advance; frost just before serving.