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The Fudgy Cookie “Cake” I Make for Every Birthday (It’s 100x Easier Than Baking Actual Cake)

Lauren Miyashiro
Lauren MiyashiroExecutive Editor at The Kitchn
My career would be very different had I not grown up watching Iron Chef Japan and The Barefoot Contessa with my dad. As a college student in New York City, I jumped at the opportunity to intern at Food Network, where I ended up returning shortly after graduation. I later went to culinary school, then moved onto Delish, where I did a little bit of everything when it comes to recipes — assign, develop, test, edit, and style. In 2021, I moved across the country and started at The Kitchn. I began by working to expand our library of classic recipes before managing the food team. Over the last year, we’ve done a ton of behind-the-scenes work to evolve our recipes. They’re not only ridiculously delicious — they’re also smart, fun, gorgeous, and as helpful as possible. I couldn’t be more proud. Now, I help oversee the content across the whole site. I’m just as committed to helping you figure out what to cook for dinner on a night when you just can’t as I am to finding the best store-bought salad dressing or the cleaning hack that makes things 100x easier.
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published Aug 3, 2024
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Overhead view of sliced chocolate chip cookie cake, ready to be served
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

My friends used to joke that I must keep a bag of cookies in my purse because of how often I was giving them away. In my kid-free era, I was baking a batch at least once a week. These days, I’m happy if I have ready-to-bake chocolate chip cookie dough balls in the freezer. If I could bake cookies every day, though, I think I would. I find the process of mixing and scooping (and sneaking bites of dough) can be not only extremely satisfying but also quite therapeutic. Long story short, I’m a cookie person. 

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

Cake, on the other hand, always stresses me out. I’ll make it if it’s requested for a birthday, but I will 100% agonize over choosing the right recipe, then worry (unnecessarily, I know!) that it’s not moist and perfect enough. And if I’m being honest, I much prefer cookies. Which is how I came up with the perfect solution: cookie cake. 

Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk

What Makes This Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake So Good 

If you grew up in the ’90s, this cookie cake will bring on all the nostalgic mall memories. Remember those giant frosting-laden cookie propped up on display at Mrs. Fields? It’s been decades since I’ve had one, but I’m willing to bet that our homemade version is even better. It’s chewier and fudgier than a cakey cookie, but still cake-like-enough and definitely not too sweet. It also has the perfect chocolate chip distribution. Skim through the reviews and you’ll find that lots of people who’ve baked it agree. 

In my very not exact estimation, pressing the cookie dough into a cake pan is about 10x easier than scooping individual cookies and baking multiple batches. And it’s 100x easier than baking and assembling an actual layer cake. I first made this cookie cake for my daughter’s birthday, and it disappeared in minutes. No one missed the cake.  Now it’s my go-to celebration dessert.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

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Cake
Cookie
Dessert
Recipe Review