Double Decker Cookie Cake

Many years ago, my friend Kara sent me Garnish and Glaze’s Cookie Cake recipe and let-me-tell-you, it is the easiest, most delicious cookie cake you’ll ever find. But over the years my boys and I have morphed this recipe into the mother-of-all-birthday-cakes, adding a second layer of cookie on top of my sister’s Oreo-fudge filling. It’s changed so much I can no longer forward the link and call it a day.

And so a post, to share in our family’s joy (and also help me keep track of all my edits!).

I present, the Trevino family’s Double Decker Cookie Cake…

What you need:

How to make it:

[1] Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray two identical 8 or 9 inch cake pans / pie plates with cooking spray and set aside.

• NOTE: A cake pan will work best with a circular cut-out of parchment paper pressed into the bottom of the pan and sprayed. Pie plates are easy to spray and release the cake layers but you will need to cut around the edges to make them even (the edges of which will be happily gobbled up – I promise).

[2] Beat the butter and sugars together with an electric hand-mixer until fluffy, then add the eggs and vanilla. I’ve found it doesn’t really matter if the butter is melted or soft, you just don’t want to try beating it cold.

[3] Add the flour, baking soda, salt and beat to combine. Fold chocolate chips in with a wide rubber spatula. If you’re feeling festive, toss some sprinkles in. Divide the batter evenly between the two pie plates.

• NOTE: If you’re making a naked cake, press a few extra chocolate chips (or sprinkles) into the top of the batter.

[4] Bake cake layers for 35 minutes and let cool completely in the pans or pie plates. Run a knife around the edges of the cakes, invert onto a large plate and tap the cake layer out.

• NOTE: If you’ve opted to bake layers in a pie plate, cut off the edges of the cookie to even out the layers.

[5] Meanwhile, smash two sleeves of chocolate sandwich cookies. Lightly warm the hot fudge in the microwave and combine about 3/4 of the jar with the crushed cookies.

• NOTE: If you’re not interested in cookie on cookie on cookie, you can also substitute the Oreo-fudge filling for piped frosting. Just add another can to your grocery list.

[6] When you are ready to assemble the cake, smooth a dollop of frosting onto the middle of a cake stand and add the first layer of cookie cake. Spread the Oreo-fudge filling onto the first layer of cake, placing the second layer on top.

[7] To finish the cake, mix the frosting until creamy and pipe onto the sides. Smooth the sides while turning the cake stand and frost the top. Cut cookies in half and place along the bottom of the cake.

• NOTE: If you’re opting for a naked cake, pipe a frosting border on the top, add a few sprinkles and call it a day.

[8] If you’d like your cake to be a little extra, add some color to the remaining frosting or grab some colored icing and get creative. You’d be surprised at how a little can go a long way in customizing your cake for any occasion.