Description
Milk and Cookies Cake is a delightful layered dessert combining moist vanilla cake dotted with mini chocolate chips, a buttery cookie crumble, and creamy vanilla frosting. This indulgent American classic offers a perfect blend of soft cake texture with crunchy cookie accents, making it an irresistible treat for cookie lovers and chocolate enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
For the Cookie Crumble:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
For Decoration (optional):
- Mini chocolate chip cookies
- Cookie crumbs
- Chocolate drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and seasoning throughout the cake batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes. This step incorporates air, resulting in a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and whole milk to the creamed butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to keep the batter light. Be careful not to overmix to prevent a tough cake.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips with a spatula, evenly distributing them throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prepare Cookie Crumble: In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the softened butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Spread mixture on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Let cool and then crumble into pieces.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting over it, then sprinkle cookie crumble on top. Repeat with the second and third layers. Finally, frost the entire outside of the cake evenly.
- Decorate: Garnish the cake with mini chocolate chip cookies, cookie crumbs, and a drizzle of melted chocolate if desired for an attractive and tasty finish.
- Set Before Serving: Chill the assembled cake briefly to allow the frosting to set, making it easier to slice and enhancing the flavors.
Notes
- You can bake the cake layers ahead of time and freeze them tightly wrapped for up to 2 weeks for convenience.
- For an extra indulgent touch, add a layer of chocolate ganache or cookie dough filling between the cake layers.
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Use parchment paper in pans to make cake removal smoother and prevent damage.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
