If you have a sweet tooth and love celebrating with something truly special, you are going to adore this Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake Recipe! It’s an extraordinary treat that brings together three different cookie layers—double chocolate, classic chocolate chip, and funfetti—with a luscious buttercream frosting that ties everything into a party-worthy dessert. Think of it as a cake, but better, because each bite delivers the satisfying chew of your favorite cookies plus a creamy swirl of frosting, all stacked for maximum joy. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want to impress family and friends, this recipe truly elevates cookie cakes to the next level.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A slice of three-layer cake sits on a white plate with a lace-like rim, on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is dark brown chocolate with visible chunks, the middle layer is light tan cookie dough with chocolate chips, and the top layer is a light cream color with colorful sprinkles mixed inside. Each cake layer is separated by a thick, smooth white frosting. To the right, more colorful sprinkles are scattered on the plate. A silver fork rests on the left side of the plate, partially visible. In the background, two blurred bowls contain colorful sprinkles and chocolate pieces. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients in this Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake Recipe are delightfully straightforward but thoughtfully chosen to create rich flavors, texture variety, and vibrant colors. Each element plays its part, from the cocoa powder that makes the first layer decadently chocolatey to the sprinkles that turn the final layer into a joyful celebration of color and sweetness.

All purpose flour: The base of every cookie layer, providing structure and chew.
Natural unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds deep chocolate intensity to the double chocolate layer.
Baking soda and salt: Essential leavening and flavor enhancers to balance sweetness and promote proper texture.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter gives richness and tenderness to every layer.
Light brown sugar and sugar: A mix that adds moisture, chewiness, and balanced sweetness.
Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together while aiding in rise and fluffiness.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to each cookie dough.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Provide bursts of melty chocolate happiness.
Funfetti cake mix: Turns one layer into a colorful, tender, and festive experience.
Powdered sugar: Key for creating smooth, sweet buttercream frosting.
Sprinkles: Sprinkle magic inside one layer and atop the frosting for joyful pops of color.
White chocolate chips: Add a creamy, sweet contrast in the funfetti layer.
Mini vanilla wafers and mini chocolate chip cookies: Perfect decorations to elevate the finished cake’s charm.
Water or cream: Used to adjust buttercream consistency for the perfect spread and pipe.

How to Make Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake Recipe

Step 1: Create the Double Chocolate Layer

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepping a 9-inch cake pan with parchment and baking spray. Then mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy, add the egg and vanilla, then combine with dry ingredients and chocolate chips. The dough will be thick—press it evenly in the pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until it loses its gloss. Let it cool completely and then invert the cookie twice to get it perfectly upright and ready for stacking.

Step 2: Prepare the Classic Chocolate Chip Layer

Next, heat your oven again to 350°F and prepare another 9-inch pan. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt separately. Cream butter and sugars until light, then add egg and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients and chocolate chips, press dough into the pan, then bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges turn golden and sheen fades. Cool fully and invert the cookie just like the first layer to keep it ready for assembly.

Step 3: Bake the Funfetti Layer

Preheat the oven once more to 350°F and prepare the final pan. Cream butter and sugars, add egg and vanilla, then mix in the funfetti cake mix and a little flour for balance. Fold in sprinkles and white chocolate chips for colorful, sweet bursts. Bake for about 20 to 22 minutes until golden around the edges. Cool completely and carefully invert to maintain its shape for stacking.

Step 4: Whip Up the Buttercream Frosting

For the buttery, sweet frosting, beat butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar in two batches with vanilla and cream or water to get a fluffy, spreadable consistency. This luscious buttercream will glue your cookie layers together beautifully, lending creamy sweetness to balance the chewy cookies.

Step 5: Assemble the Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake

Using a sharp knife, trim any raised edges from the cookie layers so each stack evenly. Place the double chocolate cookie cake on your serving plate and pipe a thick, even ring of buttercream atop it. Next, add the classic chocolate chip cookie layer and spread another layer of the frosting. Top with the funfetti cookie cake and pipe generous swirls of buttercream along the edges. Finally, decorate with sprinkles, mini vanilla wafers, and mini chocolate chip cookies for an inviting finish.

How to Serve Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake Recipe

A three-layer cake sits on a white marbled surface, with the bottom layer being a dark brown chocolate base, the middle and top layers are light brown with colorful sprinkles baked inside. Between each layer, there is a thick white cream filling evenly spread. The top surface of the cake is covered with more white cream and decorated with rainbow sprinkles scattered all over. Around the edge, there are swirls of white cream topped alternately with small round vanilla cookies and small round chocolate chip cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Bring out the fun with extra sprinkles scattered on top to echo the playful interior funfetti layer. Mini vanilla wafers and mini chocolate chip cookies not only look adorable but add an extra crunchy surprise that invites your guests to dive in with delight.

Side Dishes

This layered cookie cake pairs amazingly with simple vanilla ice cream or whipped cream to complement the dense, rich cookie textures. Fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce also make lovely companions that add freshness and a hint of tartness.

Creative Ways to Present

For an eye-catching display, slice this cookie cake into wedges and serve on colorful plates with a playful arrangement of sprinkles alongside. You could also slice and sandwich little scoops of ice cream between layers for a fun twist, or place the cake on a decorated stand surrounded by matching cookie bites for a themed dessert table centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover slices of this Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake Recipe keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To maintain freshness and avoid drying out, adding plastic wrap over the top layer before sealing works wonders.

Freezing

If you want to save it longer, wrap the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to one month. When ready to eat, thaw slowly in the fridge overnight to preserve texture and flavors perfectly.

Reheating

Warm individual pieces gently in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring out that freshly baked softness and the melting quality of chocolate chips and buttercream. Avoid overheating to keep the frosting intact and prevent dryness.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Great question! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure your funfetti cake mix is gluten-free too, and you’ll still enjoy all the layers without compromise.

How do I prevent the cookie layers from overbaking?

Bake the layers just until the glossiness fades and edges become lightly golden. Check at the 18-minute mark and keep an eye afterward—each oven varies slightly. This keeps the cookie cake soft and chewy rather than hard or crunchy.

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips in the layers to customize the flavor. Just remember that different chocolates melt differently, so texture may vary subtly.

Is it necessary to invert the cookies after baking?

Inverting helps ensure the cookie cakes cool evenly, keeping a nice flat surface for stacking and frosting. It also smooths any uneven edges that baking might cause, making assembly easier and the final cake cleaner-looking.

What’s the best way to pipe the buttercream?

Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, like the Ateco 844, creates beautiful textured swirls. If you don’t have a piping bag, spreading the buttercream evenly with an offset spatula works well too for a more rustic but still delicious finish.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend enough giving this Ultimate Layered Cookie Cake Recipe a try—you’re in for a treat packed with nostalgia, joy, and serious indulgence. From the first double chocolate layer to the colorful finale of funfetti, this cake invites endless smiles and applause. So preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and make a spectacular centerpiece that tastes as amazing as it looks. Your friends and family will thank you!