5 Delicious Ways to Make Cookie and Cream Cake

Cookies and cream cake, a dessert that has captured the hearts of many with its creamy texture, crunchy cookies, and sweet vanilla flavor. This beloved treat has been a staple at birthday parties, gatherings, and celebrations for years. As a pastry enthusiast with over a decade of experience in baking and a degree in culinary arts from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, I'm excited to share with you five delectable ways to make a cookie and cream cake that will surely satisfy your cravings.

From classic recipes to innovative twists, we'll explore the world of cookie and cream cakes, discussing techniques, ingredients, and presentation ideas that will elevate your baking game. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, these recipes are sure to inspire you to create stunning and scrumptious cookie and cream cakes.

Understanding the Basics of Cookie and Cream Cake

Before we dive into the recipes, let's cover the basics of a classic cookie and cream cake. This dessert typically consists of vanilla cake layers, cookies and cream frosting, and a crunchy cookie topping. The cookies used are usually chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, which are crushed or chopped to add texture and flavor to the cake.

The key to a great cookie and cream cake is balance. You want to ensure that the flavors and textures work harmoniously together, with no single component overpowering the others. This means using high-quality ingredients, such as real butter, pure vanilla extract, and high-cocoa-content chocolate, to create a rich and creamy frosting that complements the cake and cookies.

Recipe 1: Classic Cookie and Cream Cake

This recipe is a timeless favorite, featuring moist vanilla cake layers, a creamy cookies and cream frosting, and a crunchy cookie topping. To make this cake, you'll need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Prepare the cake batter according to the recipe, then divide it evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean.

Cookies and Cream Frosting

To make the frosting, you'll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons whole milk

Beat the butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the crushed cookies, vanilla extract, and milk, and mix until well combined.

Recipe 2: Strawberry Cookie and Cream Cake

This recipe adds a sweet and fruity twist to the classic cookie and cream cake. To make this cake, you'll need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup diced strawberries
• 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Prepare the cake batter according to the recipe, then divide it evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean.

Cookies and Cream Frosting with Strawberry Swirl

To make the frosting, you'll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons whole milk
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam or puree

Beat the butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the crushed cookies, vanilla extract, and milk, and mix until well combined. Swirl in the strawberry jam or puree to create a marbled effect.

Recipe 3: Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie and Cream Cake

This recipe adds a refreshing twist to the classic cookie and cream cake, featuring mint-flavored cake and frosting, chocolate chips, and crushed Oreos.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cake

To make this cake, you'll need:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

Mint Cookies and Cream Frosting

To make the frosting, you'll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 2-4 tablespoons whole milk

Recipe 4: Salted Caramel Cookie and Cream Cake

This recipe adds a rich and salty twist to the classic cookie and cream cake, featuring salted caramel frosting, flaky sea salt, and crushed cookies.

Salted Caramel Frosting

To make the frosting, you'll need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2-4 tablespoons whole milk

Recipe 5: Brownie Cookie and Cream Cake

This recipe combines the best of both worlds, featuring a brownie base, cookie and cream frosting, and crushed cookies.

Brownie Base

To make the brownie base, you'll need:

• 1 and 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips