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A Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is the sweetest and most delicious gift you can give on Valentine’s Day or really any time of year!
This cake should make everyone very happy, and it works extremely well if you have one of those kids who generally avoids cakes covered in tons of frosting (believe it or not they exist more than you might think). It’s a really simple and special alternative to traditional cake for a Valentine’s or birthday celebration, especially if you don’t consider yourself much of a baker — the recipe couldn’t be easier.
Just make the batter, pour it into your favorite tart mold or pie pan (like the heart one pictured here) and bake. You’ll be left with a really impressive birthday creation that I guarantee won’t be around long!
I’ve been making this heart shaped cookie cake for my kid’s school Valentine’s Day parties, but this year I made it for Chloe’s birthday and it was a huge hit! For as long as I can remember prior to having children, I dreamt about what kind of birthday cakes I would make when I finally had little ones of my own.
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When I was a kid, my birthday cake of choice wasn’t exactly a cake, but rather a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake, which is kind of more of cookie than cake (it’s the size, I guess, that qualifies it as a cake). We used to buy them from Mrs. Field’s decorated to the nines, our names written on top in creamy white icing.
Over the years on Chloe’s birthday I’ve made her Carrot Pineapple Cupcakes, Tres Leches Cake, and her favorite, Dark Chocolate Cupcakes, but this year I made her this giant, heart-shaped Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake.
Somewhere between a cookie and a brownie, this cake is filled with gooey chocolate chips and a buttery moist crumb. It’s truly off-the-charts good. We turned Chloe’s birthday into an weekend-long affair, so I actually ended up baking two of these cakes for us to have on different days. The first one we cut into pizza wedges before serving everyone. The second cake had a somewhat less dignified (but far more fun) fate_ all the kids grabbed at it ecstatically, pulling away big chunks of cake before I could cut it up.
What heart shaped goodies are you making for Valentine’s Day this year? Let me know in the comments!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large eggs, whisked
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a standing mixer (or in a bowl using a hand mixer) for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix for 1 minute.
- Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and slowly incorporate into the butter and egg mixture.
- Mix until combined then pour in the chocolate chips and stir.
- Press the dough into a greased heat shaped pie pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
This is the most awesome looking cake! Sure to put a smile on faces! pinned
This is a perfect dessert for our special night tonight for our oldest son. It’s in the oven now. Thanks for the sub on whole wheat flour (and all healthy subs you give!!!). Have you ever tried a complete substitution of whole wheat with this recipe? We dig my whole wheat flour organic blueberry scones made with yogurt instead of butter or shortening. So thinking it will work just fine.
I may try all whole wheat flour the next time I make this cookie cake (thinking tomorrow ’cause I know this is gonna disappear tonight!). Thanks!!!
This was super easy to make and awesome tasting! It was a hit at our Easter Dinner!
Where did you get the scalloped edged baking pan? Thanks…
What fun! I need a heart pan now. <3
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Ha, I loved those cookies from Mrs. Fields!
I think I found my son’s 2nd birthday cake! For his 1st I made a sweet potato cake as the smash cake, that tasted more like spice cake, It was still a big hot with him once we got him to dig into it. My grandmother-in-law (rest her soul) use to have a cookie cake for her birthday, but it was always store bought and had a bit of a salty taste to it, so I’m sure this will be a LOT better, and nothing beats homemade icing. This recipe should make a tasty baseball. 🙂
I grease the pan either with cooking spray or butter and flour!
I’m wondering if you can share any secrets on getting the heart out in one piece, and most importantly, on how to make it not stick to the pan.
Hi again…never mind, I read the info in red regarding the pan size that can be used…but where did you get the cute scalloped edged one in your picture? The scalloped edge makes it look extra special…
Hi…what size ACROSS is the heart pan…thanks… 🙂
Yes, any cake or tart pan will work just fine!
I don’t have a heart shaped pan. Would this work with another pan such as a regular round cake pan? Would I need to adjust the cooking time at all? Thanks!
I remember those giant birthday cookie cakes from the mall fondly. And having one of those kids that never liked tons of frosting, a homemade cookie cake is what I always sent to daycare on his birthday. I like that you added some whole wheat flour to your recipe!
Congrats to Chloe on 5. (and to you, mama)! This looks adorable!