Get ready to bake the most irresistible and crowd-plepleasing dessert: a homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with M&M’s! What started as a simple request from my youngest for a store-bought birthday treat quickly transformed into a passion project, resulting in this truly exceptional recipe. It’s super easy to make, always a hit, and perfect for any celebration or just a delightful family gathering.
When you’re aiming to satisfy a diverse group of picky eaters, a chocolate chip cookie-inspired dessert is always a winning choice! This giant cookie cake offers all the beloved flavors of classic chocolate chip cookies but with far less fuss. The beauty lies in its simplicity: all you need to do is prepare the dough and press it into a pizza pan. No individual scooping, no multiple batches – just one glorious, shareable dessert.
Why This Homemade Cookie Cake is a Must-Bake
For those who frequently visit my blog, it’s no secret that baking is my ultimate passion. So, you can imagine my initial surprise (and perhaps a touch of dismay) when my youngest child, during his elementary school years, began requesting pre-made grocery store cookie cakes for his birthday celebrations! A “harrumph” moment indeed for a devoted baker. However, a quick stroll past the supermarket bakery display, adorned with those heavily iced, yet somewhat uninspired, cookie cakes, sparked an immediate realization: it was high time I perfected a homemade version.
I decided to elevate the classic cookie cake by not only using plenty of rich chocolate chips but also by generously folding in colorful M&M’s. The result? Unanimous praise and a dessert that looked as festive as it tasted, all for surprisingly little effort. Of course, my family had to endure their own “harrumphing” moment as I insisted on letting it cool for photos before anyone could dive in. A little playful turnabout, wouldn’t you say?
This recipe isn’t just about creating a dessert; it’s about crafting an experience. Here’s why this Chocolate Chip M&M’s Cookie Cake will become your new go-to favorite:
- Unmatched Flavor and Quality: Homemade is always superior, and this cookie cake is no exception. The secret lies in using real butter, which imparts a depth of flavor and a wonderfully chewy texture that store-bought versions simply can’t replicate.
- Infinitely Customizable for Any Occasion: One of the best features of this recipe is its incredible versatility. You can effortlessly adapt it for any holiday or theme simply by changing the colors of your M&M’s. Think red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays, pastels for Easter, vibrant hues for birthdays, or festive red and green for Christmas!
- Appeals to All Ages: While often considered a kid-friendly treat, a well-made homemade cookie cake transcends age. Adults adore the nostalgic charm and delicious simplicity of a giant, perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie just as much as children do. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for everyone.
- Remarkably Easy and Stress-Free: Despite its impressive appearance, this is truly a very easy recipe. If you can make a batch of cookies, you can make this cake with even less effort. It’s ideal for busy bakers or anyone looking for a high-reward, low-effort dessert.
- A Festive Centerpiece: Beyond its delicious taste, the vibrant M&M’s make this cookie cake a visually appealing centerpiece for any dessert table, sparking joy and excitement from the moment it’s presented.
Mastering Your Chocolate Chip M&M’s Cookie Cake: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delightful cookie cake is straightforward, and the result can be as simple or as jazzed-up as you desire. Whether served plain as a magnificent giant cookie or elaborately garnished with frosting and sprinkles, it is guaranteed to garner rave reviews from all who taste it!
Follow these essential tips and steps to ensure your cookie cake is perfectly chewy, rich, and flavorful every time:
- Start with Room-Temperature Ingredients: As with most cookie recipes, achieving a smooth, well-combined dough is significantly easier with butter and eggs that are at room temperature. This allows the ingredients to emulsify properly, creating a uniform batter and a superior final texture.
- Speed Up the Softening Process: If you forget to take your butter and eggs out in advance, don’t fret!
- For eggs, place them in a bowl of very warm (not boiling) water for about 5-10 minutes.
- For butter, you can try setting it in a closed microwave alongside a cup of very hot water. The steam will gently soften it without melting. Alternatively, microwave it very carefully in 5-second bursts, repeating only if necessary, until just softened. Avoid melting the butter, as this can negatively impact the cookie cake’s texture.
- Opt for Hand Mixing for Chewiness: To achieve that desirable chewy cookie cake texture, I recommend mixing the dough with a sturdy wooden spoon or a spatula rather than an electric mixer. Over-aerating the dough with a mixer can introduce too much air, leading to a cakier, less chewy result.
- Even Spreading for Even Baking: Once your dough is ready, press it evenly into your prepared pan. An offset spatula is an excellent tool for smoothing the top of the dough, ensuring a consistent thickness across the entire cake for even baking.
- Pan Size Matters: This recipe was developed using a 14-inch deep-dish pizza pan. For best results, line the bottom with parchment paper and grease both the paper and the sides of the pan thoroughly. While other pan sizes can certainly work, you’ll need to adjust the baking time accordingly. A smaller pan might require a longer bake, while a larger, thinner cake would bake faster.
- Reserve M&M’s for a Visual Pop: The recipe instructs you to hold back some of the M&M’s. This is a crucial step for presentation! After the cookie cake comes out of the oven, while it’s still warm, gently press the reserved M&M’s onto the top. This creates a vibrant, fresh-looking garnish that doesn’t melt completely into the dough during baking.
- Elevate with Frosting: If your chocolate chip cookie cake is destined for a special occasion, consider adding a festive frosting.
- Effortless Frosting Techniques: To keep things simple, use a can of store-bought fudge frosting. Transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe beautiful swirls of frosting around the perimeter of the completely cooled cake. For an extra festive touch, garnish the frosting swirls with mini M&M’s or sprinkles.
- Customize with M&M’s Varieties: While classic multicolored M&M’s are fantastic for this cookie cake, feel free to experiment with any of your favorite M&M varieties, such as peanut M&M’s, pretzel M&M’s, or even seasonal flavors for a unique twist.
- Seasonal Celebrations Made Easy: This recipe is incredibly adaptable for holidays. Keep an eye out for seasonal M&M’s! Think red, white, and blue for the 4th of July, warm autumn colors for Thanksgiving, classic red and green for Christmas, or romantic reds, whites, and pinks for Valentine’s Day. Using seasonal M&M’s makes this chocolate chip cookie cake the perfect dessert for almost any holiday gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cookie Cakes
While it bears the “cake” moniker, a cookie cake is fundamentally a very large cookie. It’s crafted from traditional cookie dough, which is then pressed into a round pan (like a pizza pan) and baked. The key difference is in how it’s served: instead of individual cookies, it’s cut into wedges, much like a traditional cake. This serving style gives it the feel and presentation of a cake, making it a fun and festive alternative!
For optimal freshness and texture, a cookie cake is best stored at room temperature for 2-3 days, provided it’s kept in an airtight container. Refrigerating a cookie cake can actually cause it to dry out quickly due to the low humidity inside a refrigerator. If you’ve baked a large cookie cake that won’t be consumed within 3 days, it freezes beautifully! First, chill the cake for an hour or so to firm up any icing, then wrap it securely in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Store it in an airtight freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy it, defrost it slowly in the refrigerator before serving. Properly stored, this cookie cake will retain its quality in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The possibilities for garnishing a cookie cake are endless, making it perfect for any event!
- Classic Frosting: Pipe decorative swirls or a simple border of frosting around the perimeter. Use a star tip for elegant designs.
- Candy & Sprinkles: Sprinkle colorful candies, mini chocolate chips, or festive sprinkles over the frosting or directly onto the warm cookie cake.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A simple drizzle of melted chocolate or white chocolate adds an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Ice Cream & Sauce: For an indulgent serving, offer a slice warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce or caramel.
- Fresh Fruit: A scattering of fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries can add a bright, fresh contrast.
- Custom Messages: Use a piping bag with a fine tip to write a personalized birthday message or celebratory greeting with frosting.
A 14-inch deep-dish pizza pan is ideal for this recipe, creating a substantial and perfectly round cookie cake. However, you can also use other round baking pans like springform pans (for easy release) or even a large cast-iron skillet for a rustic touch. Just remember to adjust baking times for different pan sizes and ensure the pan is well-greased and lined with parchment paper.
Explore More Delicious Desserts!
If you’re a fan of comforting, sweet treats, especially those involving chocolate chips and cookies, you’re in for a treat! Discover these other incredible recipes that will surely satisfy your dessert cravings:
- If you love the dough as much as the cookies themselves, check out this Edible Cookie Dough from Savory Experiments – perfect for a quick, safe indulgence!
- Indulge in the rich, comforting goodness of a Gooey Chocolate Chip Pie, a delightful twist on a classic.
- Perfect for dipping your favorite cookies or fruit, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip offers all the flavor without the bake.
- For a no-bake wonder, try the sophisticated flavors of this Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookie Icebox Cake.
- Recreate campfire magic with an indoor twist with this fun and delicious S’mores Cookie Cake.
- Looking for more chocolatey goodness? Browse our extensive collection of Homemade Chocolate Recipes for endless inspiration.
Stay in touch and share your baking adventures! Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes! If you love the results, please consider giving it a 5-star rating in the recipe card below – your feedback means the world!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake with M&M’s Recipe
20 minutes
25 minutes
45 minutes
16 servings
A delightful homemade version of the classic cookie cake found in your grocery store’s bakery, elevated with colorful M&M’s!
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 106 reviewers.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate discs (or high-quality chocolate chips)
- 1 ¼ cups M&M’s chocolate candies, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 14-inch deep round pizza pan by lining the bottom with parchment paper. Thoroughly grease the entire pan, including the parchment paper and the sides of the pan, to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars (brown and granulated) until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate discs (or chocolate chips) and ½ cup of the M&M’s. Reserve the remaining ¾ cup of M&M’s for decorating the top of the cake after baking.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use an offset spatula to ensure the top surface is smooth and uniform.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. The cookie cake may still look slightly soft in the middle, but it will firm up as it cools, maintaining a chewy texture.
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven. While the cookie cake is still warm, gently press the reserved ¾ cup of M&M’s onto the top surface for decoration.
- Allow the cookie cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to remove it. If desired, you can carefully remove it from the pan once cool. Slice into wedges and serve!
Notes
Recipe inspired by Emeril Lagasse.
For an extra special touch, use homemade chocolate frosting or a can of store-bought chocolate fudge frosting to pipe decorative swirls around the perimeter of the cooled cake. You can further enhance the festive look by adding mini M&M’s or colorful sprinkles to the chocolate swirls.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
- 14-inch Deep Dish Pizza Pan
- Small Offset Spatula
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16
Serving Size:
1 slice
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 266
Total Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 26mg
Sodium: 169mg
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 40g
Protein: 3g
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest