Introduction:
Celebrate Halloween with a spooky twist on a classic treat! This Halloween Cookie Cake features a delicious chocolate chip cookie base topped with playful buttercream ghosts. It’s the perfect dessert to delight guests and add a festive touch to your Halloween festivities.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup orange and black sprinkles
For the Buttercream Ghosts:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- Pinch of salt
- Candy eyes
- Halloween sprinkles (optional)
Directions
- Make the Cookie Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until no lumps remain. Fold in the chocolate chips and sprinkles.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden and set. Let it cool completely in the pan before decorating.
- Prepare the Buttercream:
- In a mixer, beat the room-temperature butter on medium-high until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Gradually add the powdered sugar on low speed, then add vanilla extract.
- Add milk or cream slowly, mixing until the desired consistency is reached. Stir in a pinch of salt and beat until the buttercream is smooth.
- Decorate the Cookie Cake:
- Once the cookie cake has cooled, remove it from the springform pan and place it on a serving platter.
- Fill a piping bag with buttercream and pipe small ghost shapes around the edge of the cake. Press two candy eyes into each ghost.
- Add Halloween sprinkles for extra decoration, or get creative with black icing for spider webs or other spooky designs.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 slices
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Ghost Decorations: Use different colored buttercream or icing to create various Halloween-themed decorations, such as pumpkins or bats.
- Cookie Flavor: Experiment with different mix-ins like white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped nuts.
- Frosting: Try cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream for a tangy twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the decorated cookie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: The cookie cake is best enjoyed at room temperature. If needed, gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
10 FAQs
- Can I use store-bought cookie dough?
- Yes, you can use store-bought cookie dough as a shortcut. Simply press it into the pan and bake as directed.
- Can I freeze the cookie cake?
- Yes, you can freeze the un-decorated cookie cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
- How do I make sure my buttercream is smooth?
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature and beat it well before adding the powdered sugar. Gradually add milk or cream to achieve the desired consistency.
- What if I don’t have a springform pan?
- You can use a regular round cake pan. Just make sure to line it with parchment paper to help with removal.
- Can I make the buttercream ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the buttercream in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Rewhip before using.
- How can I make the cookie cake extra festive?
- Add additional Halloween-themed decorations such as edible glitter, colored sugar, or themed cupcake toppers.
- What other shapes can I use for decoration?
- Besides ghosts, you can pipe other Halloween shapes like bats, pumpkins, or spider webs using different piping tips.
- Can I use margarine instead of butter?
- Butter is preferred for flavor and texture, but margarine can be used as a substitute if necessary.
- How can I make the cake less sweet?
- Reduce the amount of sugar in both the cookie dough and the buttercream to suit your taste.
- Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
- Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
Conclusion
This Halloween Cookie Cake is a fun and festive way to celebrate the spooky season. With its rich chocolate chip base and adorable buttercream ghosts, it’s sure to be a hit at any Halloween party or family gathering. Easy to make and delightful to eat, this dessert is the perfect treat for a memorable Halloween celebration. Enjoy the delicious flavors and festive decorations!
PrintHalloween Cookie Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This Halloween Cookie Cake is a delightful dessert that combines a rich chocolate chip cookie base with whimsical buttercream ghosts and Halloween sprinkles. It’s an easy and festive treat perfect for Halloween parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup orange and black sprinkles
For the Buttercream Ghosts:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- Pinch of salt
- Candy eyes
- Halloween sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Cookie Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- In another large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until no lumps remain. Fold in the chocolate chips and sprinkles.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden and set. Let it cool completely in the pan before decorating.
- Prepare the Buttercream:
- In a mixer, beat the room-temperature butter on medium-high until smooth (about 2 minutes).
- Gradually add the powdered sugar on low speed, then add vanilla extract.
- Add milk or cream slowly, mixing until the desired consistency is reached. Stir in a pinch of salt and beat until the buttercream is smooth.
- Decorate the Cookie Cake:
- Once the cookie cake has cooled, remove it from the springform pan and place it on a serving platter.
- Fill a piping bag with buttercream and pipe small ghost shapes around the edge of the cake. Press two candy eyes into each ghost.
- Add Halloween sprinkles for extra decoration, or get creative with black icing for spider webs or other spooky designs.
Notes
- Storage: Store the decorated cookie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: The cookie cake is best enjoyed at room temperature. If needed, gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg