Name: The Best Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature); 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; large egg + 1 egg yolk (at room temperature); 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 2 teaspoons cornstarch (aka cornflour); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips; chocolate buttercream (for topping (optional))

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Introduction

Indulge in the classic delight of a chocolate chip cookie cake! This isn’t just any dessert; it’s a giant, shareable cookie that captures the essence of everyone’s favorite treat. Boasting a supremely soft and chewy texture, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. It’s a versatile option, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or a simple weeknight treat.

No need to wait – skip the dough chilling process!
Everything bakes together in one pan, minimizing cleanup.
Enjoy the perfect combination of a soft and chewy bite.
This chocolate chip cookie cake is the perfect dessert for parties.
Customize with your favorite frosting, sprinkles, or candies.
It’s a fun, easy alternative to traditional birthday cake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this delightful chocolate chip cookie cake, you’ll need a mix of wet and dry ingredients, plus those all-important chocolate chips!

Wet Ingredients: 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk (room temperature), 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
Dry Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Mix-Ins: 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Optional Topping: Chocolate buttercream ingredients (butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, vanilla).

Notes & Substitutions

For the best results, using room temperature butter and eggs creates a smooth, even batter, as explained by resources like Sally’s Baking Addiction on why room temperature ingredients matter in baking. Brown sugar adds moisture and that signature chewiness we all love in a good cookie. Cornstarch is the secret to a soft, thick cookie; it helps create a tender crumb by reducing gluten development, as highlighted in Food Republic‘s discussion on cornstarch in cookies. Feel free to use dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips. For dietary needs, explore alternative sugars or gluten-free flour blends.

Essential Equipment

A 9-inch pie dish or round cake pan is perfect for baking.
Use an electric mixer (handheld or stand) for creaming the butter and sugar.
You’ll need large mixing bowls to combine wet and dry ingredients.
A rubber spatula will help you fold in the chocolate chips.
Place on a wire cooling rack.
A piping bag and Wilton 1M tip are useful for frosting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9-inch pie dish or round cake pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until the chocolate chip cookie cake is golden brown.
Cool the cake completely on a wire rack.
Decorate with chocolate buttercream frosting, if desired, using a piping bag.
Slice and serve your delicious chocolate chip cookie cake!

Pro Tips for Success & Troubleshooting

To ensure a perfect chocolate chip cookie cake, avoid overbaking. Overbaking leads to a dry cake. If your edges are browning too quickly, cover them loosely with foil. For the best texture, measure your ingredients accurately. Overmixing the dough develops the gluten and that results in a tough cake. If your oven runs hot, reduce the baking time slightly.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Suggestions

Top the chocolate chip cookie cake with creamy chocolate buttercream and colorful sprinkles for a festive look.
Serve slices warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Drizzle with whipped cream or decadent chocolate ganache.
Add fresh berries or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Storage Instructions

Store the chocolate chip cookie cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze the cooled, unfrosted cake tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 2 months.
Thaw frozen cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Delicious Variations

Swap out some of the chocolate chips for M&Ms or other candies.
Use peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
Create a double chocolate cookie cake by adding cocoa powder to the dough.
Add chopped nuts to the dough, unless you need it to be nut-free.

Nutrition Information

Here’s a general idea of the nutrition per serving. Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	≈ 450
Total Fat	≈ 25g
Saturated Fat	≈ 15g
Cholesterol	≈ 70mg
Sodium	≈ 250mg
Total Carbohydrate	≈ 55g
Dietary Fiber	≈ 2g
Sugars	≈ 35g
Protein	≈ 5g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I freeze this chocolate chip cookie cake?
Yes, you can! Wrap the cooled, unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before decorating and serving.

Can I use different add-ins besides chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with M&Ms, nuts, dried fruit, or other candies to customize your cookie cake.

Can I turn this into a layered cookie cake?
Yes, bake two separate cakes and stack them with frosting in between for a layered cookie cake treat!

What if my cookie cake edges are burning?
Cover the edges loosely with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning.

Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! This recipe is designed to skip the chilling process, making it quick and easy.

Conclusion

This chocolate chip cookie cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a delightful twist on the classic cookie. It’s incredibly easy to make, requires no chilling, and is endlessly customizable. Whether it’s for a birthday, a holiday, or just a special treat, this cookie cake is sure to bring smiles. Don’t forget to share your delicious creations with us!