Name: Easter Cookie Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate); ¾ cup brown sugar, packed; ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup pastel-colored M&Ms or Easter egg candies; ¼ cup sprinkles (optional); ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk; Food coloring (pastel shades, optional)

Sweet memories swirl around this delightful easter cookie cake that blends childhood nostalgia with festive charm.

Colorful sprinkles dance across a soft, buttery canvas waiting to brighten your celebration.

Soft layers meld together with creamy frosting, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Baking this treat connects you to cherished traditions while adding a playful twist to classic Easter treats.

Pastel decorations and delicate designs make this cookie cake a stunning centerpiece for any springtime gathering.

Delicate yet indulgent, this recipe promises to delight both young and old with its irresistible charm.

You’ll want to gather your mixing bowls and spread some joy with every delectable slice.

Perfect for Busy Bakers
Whip up this cookie cake in under an hour with minimal kitchen tools and basic ingredients everyone has on hand.
Kid-Friendly Treat
Engaging baking project that children can help decorate, transforming a simple recipe into a fun Easter afternoon activity.
Customize Your Creation
Swap out M&Ms for seasonal colors, add different sprinkles, or experiment with frosting designs to match your holiday mood and personal style.
One-Pan Wonder
Eliminates multiple cookie batch baking by creating a single large, shareable dessert that serves 8-10 people with minimal cleanup required.

Wet Ingredients:

Butter, Melted: Rich base for cookie cake with smooth texture and sweet flavor.
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Natural sweeteners that provide deep caramel notes and classic sweetness.
Egg, Egg Yolk: Binding agents that add moisture and richness to the cookie cake.
Vanilla Extract: Warm, classic flavor enhancer with aromatic qualities.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Essential structural component for cookie cake texture.
Baking Soda: Leavening agent helping the cookie cake rise and become tender.
Salt: Flavor enhancer that balances sweetness.

Decorative and Mix-In Ingredients:

Chocolate Chips, M&Ms: Colorful chocolate elements adding texture and festive Easter appearance.
Powdered Sugar: Smooth base for creamy frosting with fine consistency.
Heavy Cream: Creates silky, rich frosting texture.
Food Coloring: Optional pastel-colored decoration for Easter theme.
Extra M&Ms, Sprinkles, Easter Candies: Decorative toppings for festive presentation.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Gather a 9-inch round cake pan. Line with parchment paper or grease thoroughly. Adjust oven rack to middle position and warm oven to 350F.

Step 2: Create Wet Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together:

Melted butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar

Blend until silky smooth. Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Stir until completely integrated.

Step 3: Develop Dry Base

In another bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt

Gently whisk dry ingredients to ensure even distribution.

Step 4: Form Cookie Dough

Pour dry ingredients into wet mixture. Fold carefully until just combined. Add:

Chocolate chips
Pastel M&Ms

Mix gently to distribute evenly.

Step 5: Bake Perfectly

Transfer dough into prepared pan. Spread evenly with spatula. Bake for 22-25 minutes until edges turn golden and center remains slightly soft.

Step 6: Cool Down

Remove from oven. Allow cake to rest in pan for 30 minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 7: Craft Festive Frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually incorporate:

Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Heavy cream

Whip until smooth and spreadable. Optional: Divide and color with food coloring.

Step 8: Decorate Spectacularly

Pipe frosting around edges. Sprinkle with:

Extra M&Ms
Colorful sprinkles
Easter-themed candies

Step 9: Serve and Celebrate

Slice into wedges. Enjoy this delightful Easter treat with friends and family!

Customize Easter Colors: Select pastel-toned M&Ms or sprinkles matching classic Easter palette like soft pink, yellow, lavender, and mint green for a festive touch.
Prevent Overmixing: Stir cookie dough ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, soft texture and avoid creating a tough, dense cookie cake.
Achieve Perfect Baking: Watch the edges carefully during baking – golden brown edges with a slightly soft center indicate the ideal doneness for a chewy, moist result.
Temperature Control: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother incorporation and more consistent cookie cake texture.
Create Flavor Variations: Experiment with different chocolate chips like white chocolate or add crushed candy pieces for unique Easter-themed flavor combinations.

Store the cooled cookie cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain freshness.
Keep the cookie cake at room temperature for 2-3 days if covered with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. For a crispier texture, briefly warm in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes.
Wrap the entire cookie cake or individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Creamy milk perfectly balances the rich chocolate chips and sweet M&Ms, creating a smooth flavor harmony.
Chilled orange juice offers a bright, citrusy contrast that cuts through the cookie cake's sweetness.
Vanilla latte complements the vanilla extract in the recipe, enhancing the dessert's warm, comforting undertones.
Light champagne or sparkling rosé adds elegant effervescence and elegance to this playful Easter dessert.

Gluten-Free Delight: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this cookie cake safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Vegan Easter Version: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based friendly treat.
Healthier Alternative: Reduce sugar content by using coconut sugar, incorporate whole wheat flour for added nutrition, and use dark chocolate chips with lower sugar content.
Nut-Free Cookie Cake: Ensure no nut-based ingredients are used, making this recipe safe for those with nut allergies while maintaining the classic Easter cookie cake flavor profile.

Can I make this recipe without eggs?

Yes, you can substitute eggs with mashed banana, applesauce, or commercial egg replacer. Each alternative will slightly change the texture, but will still work well for the cookie cake.

How do I know when the cookie cake is perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly soft center. The cake will continue to set as it cools, so avoid overbaking. A toothpick inserted near the center should have a few moist crumbs.

What type of chocolate chips work best in this recipe?

Any chocolate chips will work great – semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate. Choose your favorite or mix different types for a more complex flavor profile.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture, or add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to help bind the ingredients.

Jessica Martinez

Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

Program: Certificate in Patisserie
Focus: Cultivating disciplined kitchen preparation for a safe, organized, and sanitary workstation; mastering the timely production of nutritious, visually appealing pastries; safely operating standard pastry equipment; and honing core patissier techniques for professional pastry work.

Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.

She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.