Few desserts can create as much excitement as a perfectly layered cookies & cream cake. Moist, tender cake layers studded with Oreo cookie pieces, paired with a smooth cream cheese frosting flecked with more cookies, make this recipe a showstopper for birthdays, gatherings, or just an indulgent weekend treat. The combination of sweet vanilla sponge and tangy, creamy frosting is irresistible—and the presentation is just as impressive as the taste.
Ingredients for Ultimate Cookies & Cream Layer Cake
Cake
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10 Oreo cookies, crushed (about 120 g)
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2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g)
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1/4 teaspoon salt (1.5 g)
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1 cup (225 g) butter, softened
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2 cups (400 g) sugar
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4 eggs, separated
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5 ml)
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1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
Frosting
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8 oz (225 g) cream cheese
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1/2 cup (115 g) butter, softened
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4 cups (480 g) confectioners’ sugar
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1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (2.5 ml)
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4 Oreo cookies, crushed (about 48 g)
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3 tablespoons (45 ml) milk
Decoration
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9–10 whole Oreo cookies (108–120 g)
How to Make Ultimate Cookies & Cream Layer Cake
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Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line the bottoms of three 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper; grease and flour the sides.
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Crush Oreo cookies for the cake batter and set aside.
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In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beating until well combined after each addition.
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In a separate large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter.
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Fold in the crushed Oreo cookies until evenly distributed.
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Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
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Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean. Run a spatula around the edges to loosen the cakes immediately after baking.
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Cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then remove from pans, peel off the parchment paper, and cool completely on wire racks.
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Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, crushed Oreos, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
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Allow the frosting to rest for 15–30 minutes before using for easier spreading.
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Place one cake layer on a serving plate and frost the top evenly.
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Add the second layer, frost again, and repeat with the third layer.
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Cover the top and sides of the cake completely with the remaining frosting.
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Garnish the top with whole Oreo cookies for decoration, if desired.
A Cake That Steals the Spotlight
This cookies & cream cake is the kind of dessert that makes people ask for seconds—and the recipe. Every bite combines the soft, fluffy texture of homemade cake with the crunch of Oreo cookies, all wrapped in a creamy frosting that’s hard to resist. Serve it at your next celebration and watch it become the talk of the table.
