Jump to Recipe Print RecipeAs I stood in my kitchen, the sweet aroma of baking wafted through the air, instantly transporting me to cozy holiday gatherings past. This Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake is my way of capturing that festive warmth in every slice. Combining the moist tenderness of vanilla cake with pockets of rich edible cookie dough, it’s a delightful twist on traditional flavors. The beauty of this recipe lies in its quick prep time, making it perfect for spontaneous celebrations and gatherings. Plus, it’s a surefire crowd-pleaser that balances sweetness with a creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting. Are you ready to whip up something extraordinary that will have everyone asking for seconds? Let’s dive into this delicious holiday treat! Why Is This Sugar Cookie Cake Special? Unique Fusion: This delightful cake combines the best of both worlds, intermixing a fluffy vanilla cake with delicious edible cookie dough for a mouthwatering experience. Festive Twist: With colorful Christmas sprinkles and creamy frosting, each slice captures the spirit of the holidays, making it perfect for celebrations. Simple Preparation: The recipe is user-friendly and quick to whip up, ensuring you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the festivities. Crowd-Pleaser: Whether at a holiday party or a cozy family gathering, this cake is guaranteed to impress your guests, leaving them asking for the recipe. Versatile Options: Feel free to customize with various flavored extracts or add-ins like chocolate chips; creativity knows no bounds with this cake! Treat yourself to a slice of joy that goes perfectly alongside other festive desserts like Sugar Cookie Truffles or Cookie Butter Cake this holiday season! Sugar Cookie Cake Ingredients For the Cake • All-purpose flour – Forms the cake structure; ensure it’s spooned and leveled for accuracy. • Salt – Enhances flavor, balancing the cake’s sweetness beautifully. • Unsalted butter – Provides moisture and richness; let it sit at room temperature for easy mixing. • White granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake; substitute with a sugar alternative for a lighter touch. • Pure vanilla extract – Adds aromatic flavor; opt for pure for the best quality. • Milk – Contributes moisture to the batter; almond milk works for a dairy-free version. • Baking powder – Helps the cake rise for that perfect fluffy texture. • Baking soda – Works in tandem with baking powder for excellent leavening. • Large eggs – Essential for structure; use room temperature eggs for better incorporation. • Sour cream – Introduces moisture and richness; Greek yogurt makes a great substitute. • Buttermilk – Adds tenderness; for a quick substitute, mix milk with vinegar. • Christmas sprinkles – Provides festive color and fun texture; feel free to use any seasonal sprinkles. For the Edible Cookie Dough • Unsalted butter – Again for richness; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing. • Brown sugar – Adds depth of flavor; can be replaced with coconut sugar for a fun variation. • All-purpose flour – Just like in the cake, it’s crucial for the structure; remember to heat-treat it. • Vanilla extract – Infuses delicious flavor; use pure for a more intense taste. • Mini chocolate chips – Optional but they take the cookie dough to another level of decadence! For the Frosting • Cream cheese – The base of the frosting; use full-fat for the best creamy texture. • Powdered sugar – Sweetens the frosting, sifting before measuring will yield a smoother finish. • Unsalted butter – Gives the frosting its creamy consistency; ensure it’s softened for easier blending. • Vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor profile of the frosting; don’t skimp on quality here. This irresistible Sugar Cookie Cake is a glowing centerpiece for your holiday gatherings, sure to spread joy and delight with each tasty slice! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake Step 1: Prepare Sugar Cookie Dough Preheat your oven to 300℉ and spread the all-purpose flour on a baking sheet. Bake the flour for 8 minutes to heat-treat it, ensuring your edible cookie dough is safe to eat. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and white sugar until pale and fluffy. Add in pure vanilla extract and milk, mixing until smooth. Gradually incorporate the heat-treated flour, salt, and festive Christmas sprinkles, forming the dough into 15 discs. Then, place them in the freezer while you prepare the cake batter. Step 2: Make Vanilla Cake Batter Now, increase the oven temperature to 350℉ and prepare three 8-inch cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper. In a large bowl, sift together the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat softened butter, oil, and white sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in pure vanilla extract, room temperature eggs, and sour cream, mixing until well combined. Finally, fold in the dry ingredient mixture along with buttermilk, mixing until just combined into a smooth batter. Step 3: Bake Cake Layers Evenly divide the cake batter among the prepared pans, smoothing the tops for an even bake. Lay the frozen cookie dough discs in layers within the batter, ensuring they’re spaced out. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 26-32 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. Once baked, let the cake layers cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Step 4: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting While the cake layers are cooling, make the luscious cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat softened unsalted butter until it’s fluffy, then add in softened cream cheese and continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in sifted powdered sugar until well incorporated, then add a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting reaches a creamy, spreadable texture, ready to frost your delightful sugar cookie cake. Step 5: Assemble Cake Once the cake layers are cool, level them if necessary. Spread a layer of frosting between each cake layer alongside a little extra edible cookie dough for added flavor. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire cake to trap any loose crumbs, then place the cake in the freezer for 15 minutes. After chilling, cover the cake with a thicker layer of frosting for a smooth finish, and decorate with additional cookie dough balls and sprinkles for a festive touch. Make Ahead Options These Holiday Sugar Cookie Cakes are perfect for busy home cooks looking to streamline their meal prep! You can prepare the edible cookie dough up to 3 days in advance by mixing all the ingredients, shaping the dough into discs, and refrigerating them. Meanwhile, the cake layers can be baked up to 24 hours ahead; just ensure they are completely cooled before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap to maintain moisture. When you’re ready to serve, simply frost the layers with your cream cheese frosting and add any additional cookie dough and sprinkles for that festive touch. This way, you’ll have a stunning cake ready for your holiday gatherings with minimal effort! What to Serve with Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake Imagine celebrating the season with a table full of delightful pairings that perfectly complement your cake’s festive flavors. Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Their velvety texture and savory richness create a perfect contrast to the sweetness of the cake. Festive Green Salad: A refreshing mix of mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette brightens your meal and provides a crisp balance. Spiced Apple Cider: This warm, aromatic drink enhances the cozy atmosphere, echoing the cake’s holiday vibes with cinnamon and nutmeg notes. Chocolate Chip Cookies: Classic and beloved, they echo the cookie dough in the cake, creating a delightful cookie-centric dessert spread. Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of this creamy indulgence enhances the cake’s decadent frosting—and a drizzle of caramel takes it over the top! Cranberry Sauce: A tangy-sweet sauce adds a burst of tartness against the cake’s rich flavors, making each bite a balanced experience. Hot Cocoa: Perfectly rich and warming, this drink pairs wonderfully, especially when topped with whipped cream and festive marshmallows. Pumpkin Pie Bars: Bringing in the seasonal flavors, these bars offer a warm spice that complements the sweetness of the Sugar Cookie Cake. These accompaniments are sure to create a festive feast around your Holiday Sugar Cookie Cake—a celebration of flavors that will leave everyone wanting more! Tips for the Best Sugar Cookie Cake Measure Accurately: Use a spoon-and-level method for flour to prevent a dry cake. Too much flour can weigh down your Sugar Cookie Cake. Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter, eggs, and dairy to sit at room temperature for two hours before baking. This helps achieve a smooth batter and enhances the cake’s flavor. Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry ingredients with wet, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense texture, which you want to avoid for a light and fluffy cake. Frozen Cookie Dough Discs: Ensure your cookie dough discs are properly frozen before incorporating them into the cake layers. This prevents them from melting too much during baking. Crumb Coat Chilling: Don’t skip the crumb coat chilling step! Freezing the cake for 15 minutes after applying the crumb coat sets the frosting and prevents crumbs from mixing into your final layer. Flavor Variations: Experiment with flavored extracts or add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts in the edible cookie dough for a fun twist on the classic Sugar Cookie Cake. How to Store and Freeze Sugar Cookie Cake Room Temperature: Store leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the cake moist while making it easy to grab a piece whenever you’re craving a sweet treat. Fridge: For extended freshness, refrigerate the cake in an airtight container for up to a week. This will prevent the frosting from melting and help maintain the flavor and texture. Freezer: You can freeze Sugar Cookie Cake for up to a month. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag to preserve flavor. Reheating: To enjoy a slice from the freezer, thaw it in the fridge overnight and let it come to room temperature before serving. You can also warm it slightly in the microwave for a cozy, melty treat! Sugar Cookie Cake Variations Feel free to let your creativity shine as you customize this delightful cake recipe! Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend for a cake everyone can enjoy. Dairy-Free: Use almond or oat milk in place of regular milk, and replace cream cheese with vegan cream cheese for a fully dairy-free version. Chocolate Chip Delight: Fold mini chocolate chips into the edible cookie dough for a delicious twist on flavor and texture. Flavor Infusion: Experiment with different extracts, like almond or lemon, to give your cake a unique spin that surprises the palate. Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough for an extra layer of nutty flavor and delightful texture. Candy Bar Mashup: Stir in bits of your favorite candy bar into the cookie dough for bursts of flavor in each slice; think crushed Snickers or Milky Way! Spice It Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cake batter for a warm hint of spice that pairs beautifully with the sweet cookie dough. Fruity Surprise: Toss some diced strawberries or raspberries into the frosting or in between the layers for a fruity contrast to the rich cake. Whatever variation you choose, you can’t go wrong with this irresistible cake. And while you’re at it, don’t miss the opportunity to pair it with other delightful treats like Cinnamon Sugar Air Fryer Banana Chips or indulge with a slice of Maraschino Cherry Cake! Sugar Cookie Cake Recipe FAQs How do I know if my ingredients are ripe or fresh? Absolutely! For maximum flavor, ensure your butter is soft but not melted, eggs should be room temperature for proper mixing, and ingredients like flour should be fresh and stored in a cool, dry place. If your flour has a stale smell or if your eggs are past the expiration date, it’s time to discard them! What’s the best way to store leftover Sugar Cookie Cake? The best method is to store leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. Just make sure it’s covered well to prevent the frosting from drying out! Can I freeze the Sugar Cookie Cake? Yes, you can! Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, ensuring they are tightly sealed, and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. This cake can be frozen for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight, or you can warm it gently in the microwave for a cozy treat! What should I do if my cake turns out dense? Very! If your cake comes out dense, it could be due to overmixing the batter or putting too much flour in. Always spoon and level your flour rather than scooping directly from the bag to avoid extra flour. If you notice the cake is too dense during baking, try using a toothpick to check for doneness sooner or reduce mixing time next time. Are there any dietary considerations for this recipe? Definitely! If you have dietary restrictions, you can substitute almond milk for regular milk to make it dairy-free. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend. Always check for allergies with sprinkles, as some may contain allergens. What can I do if I don’t have all the ingredients on hand? Very good question! You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream, or use a mixture of milk and vinegar as a buttermilk replacement. Don’t have Christmas sprinkles? Feel free to use any festive sprinkles you have on hand! The more, the merrier, so get creative with your flavor combinations! Irresistible Sugar Cookie Cake with Creamy Frosting Delight A delightful Sugar Cookie Cake combining moist vanilla cake with rich edible cookie dough, perfect for festive gatherings. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 20 minutes minsCook Time 32 minutes minsCooling Time 10 minutes minsTotal Time 1 hour hr 2 minutes mins Servings: 12 slicesCourse: CakesCuisine: AmericanCalories: 350 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Cake2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled1 teaspoon salt to enhance flavor1 cup unsalted butter softened at room temperature1.5 cups white granulated sugar can substitute with a sugar alternative2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract for best flavor1 cup milk almond milk works for dairy-free1 tablespoon baking powder for leavening1 teaspoon baking soda to help the cake rise4 large eggs room temperature1 cup sour cream Greek yogurt can be substituted1 cup buttermilk or mix milk with vinegar for a substitute0.5 cups Christmas sprinkles for festive colorFor the Edible Cookie Dough0.5 cups unsalted butter softened0.5 cups brown sugar can be replaced with coconut sugar1 cup all-purpose flour heat-treated2 teaspoons vanilla extract use pure for better flavor0.5 cups mini chocolate chips optionalFor the Frosting8 oz cream cheese full-fat for the best texture3 cups powdered sugar sift before measuring0.5 cups unsalted butter softened1 teaspoon vanilla extract don’t skimp on quality Equipment Mixing bowls8-inch cake pansBaking sheetElectric MixerParchment paper Method Step-by-Step Instructions for Holiday Sugar Cookie CakePreheat your oven to 300℉ and spread the all-purpose flour on a baking sheet. Bake the flour for 8 minutes to heat-treat it, ensuring your edible cookie dough is safe to eat. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and white sugar until pale and fluffy. Add in pure vanilla extract and milk, mixing until smooth. Gradually incorporate the heat-treated flour, salt, and festive Christmas sprinkles, forming the dough into 15 discs. Then, place them in the freezer while you prepare the cake batter.Increase the oven temperature to 350℉ and prepare three 8-inch cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper. In a large bowl, sift together the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat softened butter, oil, and white sugar together until light and fluffy. Add in pure vanilla extract, room temperature eggs, and sour cream, mixing until well combined. Finally, fold in the dry ingredient mixture along with buttermilk, mixing until just combined into a smooth batter.Evenly divide the cake batter among the prepared pans, smoothing the tops for an even bake. Lay the frozen cookie dough discs in layers within the batter, ensuring they’re spaced out. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 26-32 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. Once baked, let the cake layers cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.While the cake layers are cooling, make the luscious cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat softened unsalted butter until it’s fluffy, then add in softened cream cheese and continue mixing until smooth. Gradually mix in sifted powdered sugar until well incorporated, then add a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting reaches a creamy, spreadable texture.Once the cake layers are cool, level them if necessary. Spread a layer of frosting between each cake layer alongside a little extra edible cookie dough for added flavor. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire cake to trap any loose crumbs, then place the cake in the freezer for 15 minutes. After chilling, cover the cake with a thicker layer of frosting for a smooth finish, and decorate with additional cookie dough balls and sprinkles for a festive touch. Nutrition Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg NotesStore leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, refrigerate the cake for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to a month. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
