You guys, I made the Best Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Cookie Dough! It also has a rich chocolate ganache and it’s absolutely delicious!

It's my dad’s birthday, and I wanted to surprise him with a cake I knew he’d love. He’s a big fan of chocolate chip cookies, just like me, so I decided to combine all of our favorites into one dessert!

This moist chocolate cake layered with cream cheese frosting, topped with edible cookie dough bites, and finished with a silky ganache. It turned out even better than I imagined!

Ingredients in a Chocolate Cake

To make this moist and rich chocolate cake, you’ll need a mix of simple baking staples and a few special touches:

• All-purpose flour, granulated sugar and Brown sugar – everyday staples for a cake
• Cocoa powder – to make it chocolaty
• Baking powder, baking soda and salt – to rise correctly
• Buttermilk – for moisture and tang. You can also use sour cream as a substitute)
• Coconut oil – for a soft cake. (You can substitute with another oil or melted butter)
• Eggs and Vanilla – for richness and flavor
• Coffee – to enhance the chocolate and give depth to the flavors

Additional Ingredients for this Cake

Cookie Dough Crumbles

• Flour – the base of the dough (Be sure to heat-treat it first for safety!)
• Butter – adds richness and that classic cookie flavor
• Brown sugar – gives sweetness and a chewy, caramel taste
• Milk – helps the dough come together smoothly
• Vanilla extract – adds that warm cookie dough aroma
• Salt – balances out the sweetness
• Chocolate chips – the best part of cookie dough

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese – the star of the frosting
• Butter – adds creaminess and helps the frosting hold its shape
• Powdered sugar – for sweetness and structure
• Vanilla extract – ties everything together with a cozy flavor

Chocolate Ganache

• Chocolate – use semi-sweet or dark chocolate for the perfect balance
• Heavy cream – makes the ganache silky, smooth, and pourable

How to Make the Best Chocolate Cake

Start by mixing up your dry ingredients in a bowl: flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a stand mixer, whisk together the wet ingredients: buttermilk, coconut oil, eggs, coffee and vanilla.

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the stand mixer to combine. The batter will be thin, but that’s what makes it so moist!

Butter your cake pans and add a parchment sheet liner to make it easy to release the cake after cooking! Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Make Frosting, Ganache and Cookie Dough Bites

While the cakes are cooking, make the cookie dough bites. Beat the butter and brown sugar until creamy, then add the milk, vanilla, salt, and heat-treated flour. Stir in the chocolate chips, then roll or crumble small bites to top your cake later.

Next, prepare the cream cheese frosting by whipping together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until it’s light, fluffy, and delicious.

For the ganache, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer, then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a minute before stirring until smooth and glossy.

Once the cakes have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting between the layers and over the top. Decorate to your desire.

Drizzle with the chocolate ganache and finish with your cookie dough bites. The result is a rich, decadent dessert with the perfect mix of creamy, fudgy, and cookie dough goodness!

This turned out so delicious. I realized while cooking, I only had one cake pan so I had to improvise. I also ran out of powdered sugar but I made it work! I hope you love this recipe! xo, Bri

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Best Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 12-14

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Additional Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Make the Best Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Cookie Dough! It also has a rich chocolate ganache and it’s absolutely delicious!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee
• Cookie Dough Crumbles
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated*)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate Ganache
• 8 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a stand mixer, whisk the buttermilk, coconut oil, eggs, coffee and vanilla.
5. Slowly pour the dryingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth.
6. Divide evenly between pans and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Make the Cookie Dough Crumbles, In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until creamy.
9. Mix in milk, vanilla, and salt.
10. Add heat-treated flour and stir until combined. (microwave in 30 second intervals 3-4 times in a microwave safe bowl)
11. Fold in chocolate chips.
12. Roll or crumble small pieces to use as decoration.
13. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
14. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until light and fluffy.
15. Make the Chocolate Ganache: Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer.
16. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy.
17. Let it cool slightly before drizzling.
18. Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting. Add the second layer and frost the top and sides.
19. Drizzle with chocolate ganache and finish with cookie dough bites.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 13 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1192Total Fat: 47gSaturated Fat: 26gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 819mgCarbohydrates: 178gFiber: 6gSugar: 121gProtein: 15g

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