Description
Celebrate the 4th of July with this festive cookie cake! A giant chocolate chip cookie topped with creamy, patriotic frosting and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red gel food coloring
- Blue gel food coloring
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
- Small American flags (optional)
- Red and blue candies (M&Ms, Skittles, etc.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes on medium speed). Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Bake the Cookie Cake:
- Prepare the Baking Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 12-inch round pizza pan or cake pan (or line with parchment paper).
- Press Dough into Pan: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake the Cookie Cake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool Completely: Let the cookie cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting:
- Cream Butter: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy (3-5 minutes on medium speed).
- Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently.
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Adjust milk/powdered sugar for desired consistency.
- Divide and Color Frosting: Divide the frosting into three bowls. Leave one bowl of frosting white. Tint one bowl of frosting red with red gel food coloring, and tint the other bowl of frosting blue with blue gel food coloring.
- Decorate the July Cookie Cake:
- Frost the Cookie Cake: Once the cookie cake is completely cool, frost the top with the white frosting.
- Create Red and Blue Swirls (Optional): If you want to create red and blue swirls, place dollops of red and blue frosting around the edge of the cake. Then, use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the colors together.
- Add Sprinkles: Sprinkle the red, white, and blue sprinkles over the frosting.
- Arrange Candies: Arrange the red and blue candies around the edge of the cake or in a decorative pattern.
- Add Flags (Optional): If desired, insert small American flags into the cookie cake for an extra patriotic touch.
- Chill (Optional): Chill the cookie cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother dough and frosting.
- Don’t overmix the cookie dough.
- Cool the cookie cake completely before frosting.
- Adjust frosting consistency as needed.
- Get creative with decorations!
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let come to room temperature before serving if refrigerated.
- Make-Ahead: Cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Baked cookie cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. Frost and decorate just before serving.
- Variations: Experiment with different extracts, chocolate chips, nuts, gluten-free flour, or vegan ingredients.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes