Easy Cookie Crust Recipe for Cake

Easy Cookie Crust Recipe for Cake

One of my favorite layers to add to a cake is a cookie crust. You know I love texture in a cake, and a cookie crust is one of the easiest ways to do it! It adds a nice moist crunch to your cake and it blends so well with the other layers of your cake (such as ganache or buttercream). So, if you’re ready to try a cookie crust, here is an easy cookie crust recipe for cake!

I’ve done several different cakes using a cookie crust, all with the same base ingredients to make a cookie crust, but each one has its own twist to fit the flavors of the cake. I’ve done a dark chocolate, mint, shortbread, and a few others. But I’ll talk about that more later in the post! 

One thing to remember when using a cookie crust in your cake is that it can sometimes make your finished cake hard to cut into. Don’t be alarmed! Just make sure the knife you use to cut your cake is freshly sharpened and you should be good to go. 

Easy Cookie Crust Recipe for Cake

This cookie crust recipe is from my Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake. This one makes a dark chocolate cookie crust. So, if you’re wanting to try a different one, check out my other cakes below to see how the recipe is altered to fit that flavor cookie crust. 

To make the dark chocolate cookie crust, you will need:

• 1 ⅓ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ⅓ cups (157.3 g) dark cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
• 12 tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter, melted

First, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spray 3 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray and then line the bottoms with parchment paper and spray again. Set these aside while you make your cookie crust.

Next, combine your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a stand mixer bowl with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until it is all combined. 

Add the butter and mix on low speed until the mixture starts to come together in small clusters.

Spread the chocolate crumbs on the parchment paper in each of your cake pans. Using the back of a spoon, push the crumbs together to form a crust. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Let the crust cool almost completely before incorporating it into the rest of your cake. 

3 Cakes with a Delicious Cookie Crust

Cookie Crust Cake #1: Candy Bar Cake

OK, this Candy Bar Cake will definitely knock your socks off. It has layers of chocolate cake baked on a shortbread crust, peanut butter nougat, chopped roasted peanuts, and salted caramel. Then, you top it off with peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache. Is your mouth watering too? This would be a great choice for a birthday cake! Or really for anything–because do we really need a holiday to eat cake? 

Cookie Crust Cake #2: Grasshopper Pie Cake

Have you ever had the traditional grasshopper pie dessert? If you have–or if you love mint chocolate–you will love my Grasshopper Pie Cake! This cake has mint chocolate cake layers, mint cookie crust, mint cream cheese and cookie filling, chocolate ganache, and mint buttercream. I know that sounds like a lot of mint, but I promise you it is not overwhelming! It’s just enough to taste it and it complements so well with the rest of the flavors. 

Cookie Crust Cake #3: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

The inspiration for my Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake comes from the Sprinkles Cookie Cupcake. This cake is filled with layers of dark chocolate cookie crust, tender yellow chocolate chip cake, silky brown sugar frosting, and dusted in chocolate chip cookie crumbs. Wow, right? When you make this cake, make sure you use dark chocolate cocoa powder because it helps balance out the sweetness of the yellow cake. I know you’ll love this one! I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies–especially if it’s in cake form, right?

Easy Cookie Crust Recipe for Cake

Alright, I hope you are excited to test out this easy cookie crust recipe for cake! I’d love to know how you end up using it for your own cake recipes. Send me a dm over on Instagram to let me know how it went! I love it when you all send me pictures of your cake creations. It makes my heart so happy! And, if you don’t already, give me a follow me on Instagram @cakebycourtney to get the best tips and tricks on all things cake!