Yep, that’s right. I’m bringing you a chocolate chip cookie LAYER cake! Because a single layer cookie cake just isn’t enough for this cookie lover. I made this cake when I hit 10,000 followers on Instagram because there’s no better way to celebrate than with the ultimate cookie cake.
I’ve always had this idea in my head of creating a chocolate chip cookie layer cake but struggled with the execution. I can’t take all the credit for the construction of this cake because I was heavily influenced by this cake from The Cake Blog. The recipe is still my own but I lend all the cookie smashing to Carrie!
But if you want a birthday cake that WOWs…this is exactly what you need. I mean how often do you see a 10 layer cookie cake?? Plus, it’s way easier to make than a traditional birthday cake. No really…it is!
How to make the chocolate chip cookie cake layers
You’re probably looking at this cake and thinking…how the heck do you get all those layers? It’s actually much easier than you think. It just takes a little extra work than your standard chocolate chip cookie.
You start by making the cookie dough just like any other. The magic is how you prep the cookie dough for baking. You scoop out a large portion (weighed for consistency) and place it on your baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Using something heavy and flat, place another piece of parchment paper on top of your cookie dough mound and press to flatten. You know when to stop pressing when the chocolate chips don’t allow you to push any more. They’re a nice guide so you can’t make your cookies too flat.
Now, bake! Since they’re so flat, they bake around the same time as a standard cookie. The trick is to bake as many as you can at once so that you get consistent color and spread. The longer your cookie dough sits out, the thinner and darker you cookies will get as they bake.
How to construct your cookie layer cake
Now that the cookies are baked, it’s time to assemble your cookie layer cake. It’s essential to use a buttercream that is thick enough to hold the weight of the cake. I used a traditional American buttercream that tightens up as it dries. Tightens? Hardens? It just becomes a bit stronger as it sits.
Start by stacking your cookies in an order that looks best as you might get some slight variations in sizes. Also make sure your cookies are COMPLETELY cool. If you use warm cookies, your cake will just fall apart. Then you just stack and spread, stack and spread, stack and spread.
No need to refrigerate it. Let it sit out for a few hours, or overnight, so that the stack becomes more solid. The buttercream will also start to moisten the cookies, giving it a more cake-like texture.
When you set it out, either put it in a tall cake container or cover it in plastic wrap. You don’t want it to dry out!
C’mon! Just look at that slice! If that hasn’t sold you then I don’t know what will.
If you’re a cookie addict like me, you should also try out my:
Make sure to tag me @butternutbakery on Instagram if you make this chocolate chip cookie layer cake. I love seeing my recipes come to life in YOUR kitchen! To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card, the buttons above or below this post, or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Layer Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 layer cake
Description
This chocolate chip cookie layer cake is PERFECT for the cookie lover in your life! Ditch the birthday cake and go with this 10 layer stack of delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients
Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups mini chocolate chips
Buttercream
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Instructions
Chocolate chip cookies
- Start by weighing the bowl (in grams) in which you are going to mix your cookie dough in. Write that number down so you can subtract it from the total weight later on so you can get the true weight of the cookie dough.
- Preheat your oven to 350F and line a very large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy. Then mix in the eggs and vanilla.
- Mix in the dry ingredients in a couple batches so you don’t get flour all over your kitchen. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Weigh the bowl again (in grams) with the cookie dough inside. Subtract the weight of the bowl that you took earlier so you know exactly how much dough you have. Divide that number by 10. This ensures all of your cookies are uniform.
- Place the cookie dough in the fridge for about 10 minutes.
- Weigh out the amount of cookie dough needed for one cookie and place it on your cookie sheet. Try to fit two cookies on one sheet to speed up the baking process. Place them about 2-3 inches apart.
- Place another piece of parchment paper on top of your scooped cookie dough. Take something flat and heavy (I used a small cake stand) and press down until the chocolate chips stop you from pushing anymore. They’ll be about 1/8 inch thick.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. Take a large spatula and carefully transfer them to a cooling rack. Repeat 4 more times.
- While each batch bakes, place the dough in the fridge. You don’t want the dough to reach room temperature as it will affect how the cookies bake.
- Let the cookies cool COMPLETELY before assembling.
Buttercream
- Start by sifting the powdered sugar in a bowl.
- In a larger bowl, cream the butter then slowly mix in the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Halfway through, mix in the vanilla and 2 tbsp of milk.
- Once all of the powdered sugar is mixed in, add in another tablespoon of milk if your buttercream is too stiff to spread.
Assembly
- Spread an even layer of buttercream between each cookie.
- Let the cake sit out at room temperature for 4 hours or overnight. This allows the cookies to soften and the buttercream to strengthen the cake. Place it in a cake container or wrap it in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.
- Now cut a big slice and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
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Can I use gluten free flour for this cookie cake?
This was amazing! If you are looking for an over-the-top birthday cake, this is what you want. I made sure not to bake the cookies too long and then I let them cool completely on the pan. I also made it an entire day in advance to let it sit. This made the cake soft, and nice and easy to cut. I made a 1.5 batch of the buttercream and had just a bit left. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and very satisfying. Everybody voted it the best and most impressive birthday cake ever! I must say, seeing all the layers in a piece is absolutely stunning! A warning, though- you won’t be able to eat big pieces! This cake is SO rich and delicious. Overall, this recipe is definitely a keeper, and totally a crowd-pleaser!
Thank you!!
Hi Jenna,
Making this for a friends daughter’s Boho wedding. I have done many ‘regular’ birthday and anniversary cakes for family. I love being creative with baking..so I am excited to do this cake. I noticed it says mini chocolate chips. What posshappens if I use regular chocolate chips? Will it change the baking of the cooking? Not sure why this one has me a little on edge!
You got this! Mini chips are just much better for an even spread without the disruption of larger chunks of chocolate.
Hi Jenna- I want to try your cookie cake recipe and need to know about how many servings do you get from his cake? Is it basically the same a cutting a regular cake in wedding slices?
Thanks so much. Cant wait to try it!
Yep just like a cake! It will give you about 12 thin slices
Trying different recipes as baking one for a wedding next month. Liked this recipe the best so far. Made different sizes as starting at 10 inches for 4 layers, then 8 inches, then 6, then 4.
So good to know!
Could you please let me know how many servings did you get?
Hi! I was wondering how big of a scoop you made the cookies with or how many grams each is?
It’s however many grams the entire batch is divided by 10 🙂
I’m going to make this for my sons bday this weekend as he’s not a fan of cake!! It does have to feed a crowd so I was wondering if you’ve ever made it with less layers and a larger diameter cookie? Love all of your recipes ❤️
What type of brown sugar do you use, light or dark? I really love how you recipe came out and don’t want to mess anything up.
Light!
Hi!
How would you reccomend cutting a cake like this? 🙂
Just like any other cake! Just make sure it’s chilled and use a large sharp knife.