Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake – Soft, Gooey & Easy to Bake
Chocolate chip cookie cake is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert. It combines the buttery richness of a chocolate chip cookie with the soft, sliceable joy of a cake—all in one pan. If you’ve ever wanted something more exciting than plain cookies but easier than decorating a full cake, a chocolate chip cookie cake is your sweet spot. It’s chewy, gooey, and bursting with chocolate in every bite.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make the best homemade chocolate chip cookie cake using simple ingredients and just one bowl. Let’s dive into the story behind this family favorite and why it deserves a spot in your recipe box. cake became a staple in my kitchen—and why it’s bound to be one in yours too.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
For more recipes follow me on Facebook & Pinterest
A slice of memory: How chocolate chip cookie cake became my go-to treat
I still remember the first time I made a chocolate chip cookie cake. It wasn’t for a special occasion—just a quiet afternoon when I wanted to bake something comforting but fun. I didn’t have the patience for scooping individual cookies, and I certainly didn’t feel like fussing over a layered cake. So I pressed my cookie dough into a round pan, slid it into the oven, and hoped for the best. What came out was a warm, golden masterpiece. Crisp edges, a soft center, and gooey chocolate in every bite.
From that day on, chocolate chip cookie cake became a staple in our home. It’s the dessert I make for birthdays when no one really wants frosting but still wants something that feels festive. It’s the treat I bring to cookouts, potlucks, and the occasional Tuesday night when we all just need something sweet and simple. My husband calls it “cookie pizza,” and honestly, I think that’s part of the charm—it’s casual, fun, and always a hit.
Baking this cake takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where the scent of brown sugar and vanilla always meant something special was happening. While she stuck to classic cookies, I like to think she’d approve of this giant twist. It’s just the kind of no-fuss recipe she loved: rich with flavor, easy to pull together, and full of heart.
Print
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake – The Best Giant Cookie You’ll Ever Bake
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Yield: 8–10 slices 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This chocolate chip cookie cake is thick, chewy, and packed with chocolate. It’s made with simple pantry ingredients and no chill time. Perfect for birthdays, parties, or any time you’re craving a slice of cookie joy.
Ingredients
3/4 cup melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round metal pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter with brown and white sugars until smooth.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until a thick dough forms.
5. Fold in chocolate chips, reserving a few for topping.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until edges are golden and the center is just set.
8. Cool completely in the pan before removing and decorating.
9. Serve plain or topped with frosting, sprinkles, or ice cream.
Notes
Store at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
You can freeze individual slices for up to 2 months.
For cleaner slices, chill for 10 minutes before cutting.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: chocolate chip cookie cake, cookie cake, cookie cake recipe
Why this chocolate chip cookie cake is a game changer
What makes this chocolate chip cookie cake stand out? For one, you don’t need any fancy tools—no mixer, no chill time, no decorating stress. It’s as easy as mixing, pressing, and baking. But the real magic is in the texture. It’s thick and chewy like the center of a perfect cookie, with slightly crisp edges that give it that classic cookie feel. The melted butter keeps it soft, while brown sugar adds depth and richness.
You can keep it simple or dress it up. Pipe a border of vanilla buttercream, add sprinkles for flair, or drizzle it with melted chocolate. However you serve it, this cookie cake feels like a celebration. And the best part? It’s quick, easy, and foolproof—even for beginner bakers.
Coming up next, I’ll break down the simple ingredients and the best tools for baking your very own chocolate chip cookie cake at home. Let’s get to the fun part!
And if you’re wondering what else you can bake with white chocolate, you’re in luck—we’ve got plenty of sweet inspiration coming up.
Ingredients & Tools
Simple pantry ingredients for chocolate chip cookie cake
One of the reasons I love baking a chocolate chip cookie cake is that it uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Nothing fancy—just reliable, everyday staples that come together to create something seriously special. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Melted butter: Using melted butter instead of softened gives the cake that rich, soft chew without needing a mixer. It also blends smoothly with the sugars for a more even texture.
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar: Brown sugar adds depth and moisture, while white sugar helps with structure and sweetness.
- Egg and vanilla extract: Just one egg binds the dough and adds richness. Don’t skip the vanilla—it brings warmth and flavor to every bite.
- All-purpose flour: Standard flour gives the cake its classic cookie texture—chewy with a little crisp on the edge.
- Baking soda and salt: These give lift and balance out the sweetness.
- Chocolate chips or chunks: You can go classic with semi-sweet chips or get adventurous with chunks, mini chips, or a mix of dark and milk chocolate. I sometimes toss in a handful of chopped chocolate bars for those gooey pools of chocolate in the center.
Want to take it up a notch? Stir in some crushed pretzels for crunch or drizzle with homemade caramel sauce after baking for a sweet-and-salty twist.
Best pan for baking cookie cake
When it comes to baking the perfect chocolate chip cookie cake, your choice of pan matters more than you’d think. The ideal pan is a 9-inch round metal cake pan—it distributes heat evenly, giving you crisp edges and a soft center without overbaking. Avoid glass pans if you can—they tend to bake unevenly and may cause the edges to dry out before the middle is done.
Don’t have a round cake pan? A pizza pan works too—just keep in mind the dough will spread more, resulting in a thinner, crispier cookie cake. You can also use a square 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan for a rustic square version, or even a springform pan if you want easy release and clean edges.
Can you use a cake pan for a cookie cake? Absolutely. Just be sure to line the bottom with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides to make cleanup a breeze and ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
Coming up next, I’ll walk you through exactly how to bake your chocolate chip cookie cake to golden perfection—plus troubleshooting tips so it comes out just right every time.
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
How to bake a perfect chocolate chip cookie cake
Baking a chocolate chip cookie cake is all about keeping it simple and getting that golden, chewy texture just right. Follow these steps and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dessert ready in no time—no mixer, no chilling, no stress.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round metal cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy release.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together ¾ cup melted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup white sugar until combined. Add 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon salt. The dough will be thick but soft—just right for pressing into the pan.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Mix in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a combo of chips and chunks). Reserve a few to press on top before baking.
- Press and shape: Use a spatula or your hands to press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Smooth the top and add extra chips for a pretty finish.
- Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center looks set. The middle may appear slightly soft—that’s perfect. It will continue to set as it cools.
Let the cookie cake cool completely in the pan before removing. Then, transfer it to a serving plate and get ready to decorate (or slice and devour as-is).
Troubleshooting common issues
Sometimes baking can throw us a curveball—but don’t worry, here are a few quick fixes:
- Edges browning too fast? Check your oven temperature with a thermometer. If it’s running hot, tent the pan with foil halfway through baking.
- Center too gooey? Remember: you want a soft center, but not raw. The sweet spot is when the middle looks just set with no wobble. Avoid overbaking—it turns your cookie cake dry.
- Spreading too much? If you’re using a pizza pan or baking in warmer weather, try chilling the dough for 10 minutes before baking.
- Dough sticking to the pan? This is where parchment paper saves the day. Don’t skip it, especially if using a traditional cake pan.
Here’s a tip: the texture of a chocolate chip cookie cake is intentionally different from regular cookies. It’s thicker, softer in the center, and meant to be sliced like cake. That brings us to one of the most common questions…
What’s the difference between a cookie and a cookie cake?
A cookie cake is basically one giant cookie baked in a pan, but with slightly adjusted ratios to give it a softer, more cake-like interior. While cookies are crisp or chewy throughout, a cookie cake has contrast: crisp edges with a moist, almost gooey center. It’s meant to be sliced and shared—like cake, but better.
Next up: let’s talk about decorating, frosting options, and answer more of your top questions about baking the best chocolate chip cookie cake at home.
Frosting ideas & serving tips
Once your chocolate chip cookie cake has cooled, you’ve got options. You can keep it simple and slice it as-is, or make it party-ready with a few easy finishing touches.
A classic choice is piping a buttercream border around the edge. Vanilla buttercream is a crowd favorite, but chocolate or peanut butter frosting also pair beautifully with this cookie base. Add sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, or even crushed candies for a fun twist. This cookie cake also tastes great topped with a scoop of ice cream—just cut into wedges and serve like pie.
If you’re making it ahead, the cake stores well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices for a quick treat later.
Whether you’re decorating for a birthday, holiday, or just because, the chocolate chip cookie cake holds its shape, flavor, and charm—every single time.
Discover great ideas like our small batch chocolate chip cookies
What is the difference between a cookie and a cookie cake?
A cookie cake is one large, soft, and chewy cookie baked in a pan, while traditional cookies are smaller and baked individually.
Why does cookie cake taste different?
Because it’s baked as a whole and uses a slightly thicker dough, cookie cake has a softer, more cake-like center than individual cookies.
What kind of pan is best for cookie cake?
A 9-inch round metal cake pan is ideal, but you can also use a pizza pan or springform pan.
Can I bake cookie cake in a cake pan?
Yes, just grease and line the pan well with parchment for easy release.
Conclusion
There’s something special about baking a chocolate chip cookie cake. It’s easy, nostalgic, and guaranteed to make people smile. With its soft, chewy center, golden edges, and rich chocolate flavor, it hits that perfect sweet spot between cookie and cake. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or just craving a warm homemade treat, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.
From my kitchen to yours, I hope this cookie cake brings you the same comfort, joy, and delicious memories it’s brought to my family.