Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor Combo: The classic pairing of vanilla cake and Oreo cookies never fails to delight.
- Moist and Tender Cake: The vanilla cake layers are soft, with plenty of cookie chunks for added texture.
- Rich Buttercream: The Oreo-studded frosting is fluffy, sweet, and perfect for decorating.
- Impressive Presentation: Decorated with whole Oreos and piped frosting, this cake is sure to wow guests.
Ingredients
Cookies and Cream Cake:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ⅓ cups sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Oreo cookies, crushed into large chunks
Oreo Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 1 cup Oreo cookies, crushed into rough chunks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra Oreos, for decoration
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Cookies and Cream Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, 15 seconds apart, along with vanilla extract. Lower speed to low.
- Alternately add flour mixture and milk, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in Oreo cookie chunks gently.
- Divide batter evenly between cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
Oreo Frosting:
- Beat butter in a stand mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and milk alternately, mixing well.
- Add vanilla extract and stir in Oreo chunks gently.
Frost the Cake:
- Evenly level the tops of each cake layer.
- Place a small amount of frosting on the cake stand to anchor the first layer.
- Add one cake layer, then spread 1 cup of frosting evenly on top.
- Add the second cake layer.
- Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting around the entire cake and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. Don’t worry if chunks show through at this stage.
- Cover the cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing with an offset spatula.
- Reserve 1 cup of frosting for decoration. Pipe swirled mounds on top and place a whole Oreo on each mound.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including cooling and frosting time)
Variations
- Chocolate Cake: Swap vanilla cake mix for chocolate for an extra chocolatey twist.
- Different Cookies: Use other sandwich cookies or chocolate chip cookies instead of Oreos.
- Add Nuts: Fold in chopped nuts into the batter or sprinkle on top for crunch.
Storage/Reheating
- Store leftover cake covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze slices tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Avoid reheating; serve at room temperature or chilled.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat butter or margarine?
Yes, but it may slightly affect the texture and flavor.
How do I avoid crumbs in the frosting?
Chilling the cake before the crumb coat helps seal crumbs in.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare and frost up to 2 days in advance; keep refrigerated.
Is this cake suitable for freezing?
Yes, wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives.
How do I get large Oreo chunks?
Crush cookies by hand or pulse briefly in a food processor.
Can I use boxed cake mix?
This recipe is from scratch, but you can substitute a good-quality vanilla cake mix.
What size pans should I use?
Two 8-inch round cake pans are recommended.
How to prevent the cake from drying out?
Don’t overbake and store properly covered.
Can I add fillings?
Yes, add whipped cream or jam between layers for extra flavor.
Conclusion
The Cookies and Cream Cake is a crowd-pleasing dessert that combines a tender vanilla crumb with crunchy Oreo cookie pieces and luscious Oreo buttercream frosting. Its moist texture, rich flavors, and beautiful decoration make it perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any time you crave a decadent treat. Easy to prepare yet impressive to serve, this cake will quickly become a family favorite.
Cookies and Cream Cake
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cookies and Cream Cake is a moist vanilla layer cake loaded with Oreo cookie chunks and topped with fluffy Oreo buttercream frosting, perfect for celebrations or indulgent treats.
Ingredients
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ⅓ cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk, room temperature
2 ¼ cups flour
2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup Oreo cookies, crushed into large chunks
1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
8 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
⅓ cup whole milk (for frosting)
1 cup Oreo cookies, crushed into rough chunks (for frosting)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Extra Oreos for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract. Lower mixer speed.
- Alternately add flour mixture and milk, mixing just until combined.
- Fold in Oreo chunks gently.
- Divide batter between pans; bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk alternately, mixing well.
- Add vanilla extract and fold in Oreo chunks gently.
- Level cake tops, place one layer on stand, spread 1 cup frosting.
- Add second layer, crumb coat the entire cake and refrigerate 2 hours.
- Cover cake with remaining frosting and smooth. Reserve 1 cup frosting for decoration.
- Pipe swirled mounds on top, garnish each with a whole Oreo.
Notes
Substitute chocolate cake for a richer flavor.
Use different sandwich or chocolate chip cookies if desired.
Add nuts for crunch in batter or as topping.
