How to Make a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake From Scratch

Cookie cakes are perfect for casual celebrations, kids’ birthdays, office parties, or any moment when you want something fun and homemade but don’t have time to go full Great British Bake Off. Make one when you’re short on time but still want to impress, or when you’re craving the comfort of a cookie but need it to feed a group. They travel well, slice cleanly, and feel just the right amount of special.

This perfect cookie cake is a great way to switch up the normalcy by blending the aspects of chewy chocolate chip cookies with the celebratory and convenient cake form. The best part is that it requires minimal effort and is easier and simpler to make than an actual cake. You can easily decorate it to say “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations“, add a few sprinkles and end up with the most delicious birthday treat ever!

Since you are here and love cake and chocolate chip cookie recipes, check out these Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies with Sprinkles, these Crumbl Oreo Birthday Cake Cookies, these CRUMBL Chocolate Cake Cookies, this Buttery Upside Down Banana Cake, or this Moist Honey Tea Cake Loaf.

Ingredients for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this homemade cookie cake. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Unsalted Butter: adds a rich texture and a delicious buttery flavor.
• White Sugar and Light Brown Sugar: sweeten the cookie and contribute to crisp edges around the cookie cake and a super soft interior.
• Light Corn Syrup: is a key secret ingredient in all soft chocolate chip cookies.
• Large Eggs: bind the ingredients together.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: enhances the overall flavor with a sweet depth.
• All-Purpose Flour: provides the base structure of the cookie cake.
• Cornstarch: is the magic ingredient that softens the texture and helps create a more tender cookie.
• Baking Soda: acts as a leavening agent.
• Salt: balances the sweetness and intensifies the flavors.
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: mixes in to add bursts of melty chocolate throughout.
• Chocolate Frosting: is optional but it adds a decorative finish that turns it into a celebration-worthy dessert. You could also do a vanilla buttercream or top with rainbow sprinkles.

How to make a One Bowl Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe

This is how you can make the best cookie cake. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the bake time and full step-by-step instructions! 

• Preheat your oven, lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan, pie plate, or springform pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper if you use a pie or cake pan for easier removal.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and corn syrup until smooth and well blended.
• Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the mixture looks creamy.
• Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture soft.

• Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula or wooden spoon.
• Evenly press the cookie dough into your prepared pan in an even layer. Make sure to reach the edges for an even bake. For a smooth top, lightly press the batter with a flat-bottomed measuring cup or an offset spatula.

• Place in the preheated oven and bake until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is just set. Make sure not to overbake so the cookie cake stays chewy and soft.
• Let the cookie cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to set properly. This prevents it from falling apart when slicing.
• Top with more chocolate chips while it’s still warm if you’d like, or once cooled, decorate with chocolate or vanilla frosting using a piping bag and colorful sprinkles for an extra festive touch.

Tips and Tricks for the best results

• Have your eggs be at room temperature before mixing so that they blend more smoothly.
• Use a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups to weigh your dry ingredients for better accuracy.
• Pass the flour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before adding it to the wet ingredients so you don’t have clumps.
• If you can, whisk by hand instead of using an electric mixer to avoid over-mixing. If you do use an electric hand mixer, just be sure to keep it on low speed. The same goes for if you’re using a paddle attachment in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Use dark brown sugar instead of light for more of a molasses pop of flavor.
• Check the top or edges around the halfway mark. If they look like they’re browning too fast, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue baking.
• Use a light-colored aluminum or glass pan instead of a dark metal pan, such as a skillet, so that the edges don’t rise and cook too quickly.

Why must you make this easy homemade chocolate chip cookie cake recipe?

• The only thing that’s hard about this great cake recipe is trying not to eat it all in one sitting.
• It’s guaranteed to be a huge hit and look impressive to everyone. Especially saying you made it yourself!
• Once you learn how to make a chocolate chip cookie cake from scratch for the first time, you’ll be making this delicious cake for all the birthday parties.
• Only requires simple ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store.

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

Can I use a different-sized pan?

Sure if you want. This chocolate chip cookie cake for a crowd comes out about ½ inch thick in a 9-inch circular pan. You can use a larger pan if you want it a little thinner. Or you can use a smaller pan if you want it even thicker. Just know you would have to subtract a few minutes if using a large pan and add a few minutes if you’re using a small pan.

What frosting should I use?

You can make your own vanilla frosting, whipped white chocolate ganache, peanut butter frosting, or even your own chocolate buttercream using this recipe, or you can use a canned frosting for convenience.

What different flavors can I add?

• Swap out the extra chocolate chips on top for peanut butter chips, caramel chips, or a white chocolate chip.
• Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder and an extra egg yolk for a fudgy chocolate effect.
• Customize the mix-ins. Chopped nuts like chopped walnuts or pecans would specifically go really well in this soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie cake with frosting. You could even try fun, savory options like salted pretzel pieces or potato chips.

How should I serve this giant chocolate chip cookie cake recipe for birthdays?

My personal favorite is heating up a cookie cake slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and then topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! But not when it has icing on it because that would melt so I usually scoop that off first and throw it back on after.

How do I store leftover cookie cake?

Place your leftovers in an airtight container with a nicely sealed lid. They can stay out at room temperature for 3 or 4 days or in the fridge for 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them by wrapping them first in plastic wrap before being placed into the sealed container or zip-top bag. The extra layers provide better protection from freezer burn.

How can I add decorations?

Using colored food gel and thin piping tips, you can write phrases like “happy birthday” or “congratulations”. You could also use your favorite frosting to write decorations with.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Recipe