Copycat Costco Cookie Dough Cake Recipe

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With its layers of moist cake, gooey cookie dough, and bursts of chocolatey goodness, this dessert is iconic. But what if you could make this decadent delight at home? That’s right—skip the Costco lines and channel your inner baker with this step-by-step Costco Cookie Dough Cake recipe that’s just as mouthwatering (maybe even better!).

How to make Costco Cookie Dough Cake

Costco Cookie Dough Cake is a bakery-made dessert from Costco that combines chocolate chip cookie dough and cake into one large, shareable treat.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tsp vinegar as a substitute)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the Cookie Dough Filling:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated, see tips below)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp milk
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips

For the Frosting/Mousse:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 6 tbsp whole milk (adjust for consistency)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup heavy cream (whipped to peak)
• Optional garnish: additional mini chocolate chips or chocolate shavings

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layers

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a larger mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
6. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool completely before assembling.

Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough Filling

1. Heat-Treat the Flour: Spread the flour on a baking sheet and bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to kill any potential bacteria. Let it cool completely before using.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract and milk, then gradually add the heat-treated flour until a dough forms. Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
4. Roll small chunks of dough (pea to marble-sized) and refrigerate until firm.

Step 3: Whip Up the Frosting/Mousse

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with milk, until you achieve a fluffy consistency. Add vanilla extract.
2. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the buttercream mixture, creating a light, mousse-like frosting.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top. Scatter chilled cookie dough chunks over the frosting.
2. Place the second cake layer on top, then frost the entire cake with a thin layer of mousse (this is the crumb coat). Chill for 15-20 minutes to set.
3. Apply the remaining frosting evenly over the cake, smoothing with a spatula. Garnish with extra cookie dough chunks or mini chocolate chips.

Helpful Tips for the Perfect Cake

• Don’t Skip Heat-Treating the Flour: Store-bought flour is raw and may contain bacteria. Baking it ensures your cookie dough is safe to eat.
• Chill Your Cookie Dough: This ensures the cookie pieces don’t fall apart when layering the Costco Cookie Dough Cake.
• Level Your Cakes: If your cake layers are uneven, use a serrated knife to gently level them for even stacking.
• Work with Cold Layers: A chilled cake is easier to frost! Pop your layers in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before assembling.
• Improvise if Necessary: Not in the mood to bake from scratch? Use a box cake mix for a shortcut, but don’t skip the homemade cookie dough and mousse—it’s what makes this dessert special.

What to serve with

The Costco Cookie Dough Cake is an indulgent delight on its own, with its rich layers of moist cake, creamy mousse, and chocolate chip-studded cookie dough.

• Espresso or Coffee Drinks: The bold, slightly bitter taste of coffee cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced pairing. Try serving your cake with a cappuccino, latte, or even a shot of espresso.
• Mocha Latte: Bring out the chocolate flavors of the cake with a mocha, which adds an extra layer of indulgence.
• Cold or Warm Milk: Nothing beats the nostalgic duo of cookies and milk, right? Serve your slice of cake with a tall glass of cold milk or even a cozy mug of warm milk for a comforting treat.
• Dessert Wine: Serve a glass of sweet dessert wine, such as a Tawny Port, Late Harvest Riesling, or Moscato. These wines have rich, fruity notes and a balanced sweetness that complements the flavors of the cake.
• Baileys Irish Cream: Pair the cake with a small glass of Baileys on the rocks or even mix Baileys into coffee for a boozy, creamy addition.
• Iced Tea or Lemonade: If you’re serving this cake at a summer event, a cold, refreshing lemon iced tea or lavender lemonade can counter the cake’s richness with a hint of acidity.

Ingredients Substitutes

Craving the decadent layers of a Costco Cookie Dough Cake but missing a few ingredients from the recipe? No need to panic—baking doesn’t always have to be an exact science, and plenty of ingredients can be substituted with items you might already have on hand.

A. All-Purpose Flour

If you’re out of all-purpose flour or dealing with a gluten allergy, here are some simple swaps:

• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to keep the recipe balanced. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.
• Almond Flour or Oat Flour (Gluten-Free): Replace half of the all-purpose flour with almond flour or finely ground oat flour for added texture and flavor. However, you will need to adjust the liquid content as these flours absorb moisture differently.
• Cake Flour: If you have cake flour, you can substitute it for all-purpose flour for an even softer, fluffier cake texture. Use a ratio of 1 cup + 2 tbsp cake flour for every 1 cup of all-purpose flour.

B. Butter

Butter brings flavor and richness to the cake layers. Here’s how to substitute it if you don’t have any:

• Vegetable Oil: Use ¾ cup of vegetable oil for every 1 cup of butter. This results in a moist cake but slightly less buttery flavor.
• Coconut Oil: Swap in an equal amount of melted coconut oil for butter, but note that the cake may have a faint coconut flavor.
• Applesauce (Healthier Option): Replace half or all of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. This makes the cake lower in fat and adds natural sweetness.

C. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is used to add moisture and a slight tang to cake batter. If you don’t have buttermilk, here’s how to make your own or find alternatives:

• Homemade Buttermilk Substitute: Mix 1 cup of milk (whole milk preferred) with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and you’re good to go.
• Yogurt: Thin plain yogurt or Greek yogurt with water or milk until it has the consistency of buttermilk.
• Dairy-Free Option: Mix 1 cup of almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice for a plant-based buttermilk substitute.

Final Thoughts

The Costco Cookie Dough Cake is already a superstar dessert, but with the right pairings, you can take your dessert game to a whole new level.

More Costco Recipes:

• Homemade Costco Cookie Bar Cake Recipe