This is the best cookie cake that I’ve ever had. It has a a chewy center, crispy edges and a wonderful brown butter flavor.
I’m turning 30 this year. And actually, August 21st isn’t that far away. How I feel about the age is a story for another post, but what I want for dessert on my birthday is always on my mind. I have a few celebrations to plan with family and friends but the first thing that I thought about was what sweet treat each of those celebrations will involve.
Growing up, I detested birthday cake. And even now, it has to be a really good birthday cake to win me over. Homemade layer cakes are a different story but even as a kid they weren’t my first choice. In fact most birthdays involved brownies, ice cream pie or a cookie cake (or all of the above). My poor buttercream loving mom couldn’t win.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a cookie cake, but I imagine that the basic Mrs. Field’s type wouldn’t really appeal to me today. For good or for bad, I’ve become a complete dessert snob when it comes to flavor. Sweet is not a flavor and that’s pretty much what you get with any standard bakery item. So I figured the basic cookie cake was due for an upgrade. A brown butter upgrade to be exact. Chewy center, crispy edges and that nutty caramel-y brown butter flavor. Next time I’ll sprinkle some flaky sea salt over top and really be in grown-up cookie cake heaven.
- 113g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 50g (~1/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 155g (~2/3 cup) packed light brown sugar
- 55g (1 large) egg at room temperature
- 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons) vanilla extract
- 190g (~1½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 4g (1/2 teaspoon) baking soda
- 3g (1/2 teaspoon) salt
- 170g (~1½ cup) dark chocolate chunks
- Buttercream and sprinkles for decorating (optional)
- Brown the butter: Heat butter in a small heavy duty saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, when butter turns to an amber/light brown color, remove from heat immediately (You should be able to smell the deeper more caramel flavor of the butter) pour browned butter immediately into a small bowl and set aside to cool
- Once butter has cooled, place in the large bowl of an electric mixer with sugars; beat on high speed until well combined
- Add egg and vanilla, mix on medium speed until well mixed
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; slowly add to wet ingredients with mixer on low speed; do not over mix
- Slowly stir in chocolate chunks
- Spread dough evenly into an 11-inch tart pan; chill 24 hours for best results (minimum of 2 hours) before baking
- When ready to bake, pre-heat oven to 325 degrees
- Bake cookie cake until firm: 18-22 minutes or until edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean from center
- Allow to cool before serving frosting and serving
Can you believe I’ve never made a giant cookie or cookie cake?! I’m not sure if I’ve ever even had one but I would LOVE a huge piece :)
Never?! That definitely needs to change!
Cookie cakes are the best! This looks lovely!
I relate on your cake feelings and also being a dessert snob :P
This is def. the best cookie cake I’ve seen!! Brown Butter def. amps it up!
I love birthday cake, layer cake, cookie cake, all kinds of cake! This looks pretty perfect :)
I pick cookies or cookie cake for my August 20th birthday too! Love brown butter – will try. Pinned!
Ah so funny! Thanks, Maria:-)
Luckily you’ll be the kind of 30 who actually looks somewhere around 23…so good stuff all around! :)
How long has it been since I’ve had a cookie cake?! TOO LONG. I love your brown butter twist. Definitely a fun (and much needed) update on the classic!
Do I have to line parchment paper on the tart pan before putting the batter in?
Nope!