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Sugar Cookie Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 142 reviews

This Sugar Cookie Cake combines the classic flavors of sugar cookies and moist vanilla cake into an impressive layered dessert. The recipe features a sugar cookie dough baked in discs embedded in each cake layer and a luscious cream cheese frosting with extra cookie dough balls and colorful sprinkles for decoration. It’s perfect for special occasions, offering a delightful blend of soft cake, crunchy-sprinkle cookie texture, and rich frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

Sugar Cookie Dough:

  • 3 1/2 cups All-purpose flour (including 2 3/4 cups plus additional for dusting)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 2/3 cup Christmas sprinkles (jimmies)

Vanilla Cake Batter:

  • 3 cups All-purpose flour (measured separately as 3 cups for cake flour)
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp Baking soda
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 TBSP Oil (canola or vegetable)
  • 1 1/2 cup White granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • 4 Large eggs, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup Sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 cup Buttermilk

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 2 cups Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 6 oz Cream cheese, room temperature
  • 5 cups Powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sugar Cookie Dough: Preheat the oven to 300℉. Spread 2 3/4 cups of flour on a cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes, then cool completely. In a large bowl, combine the toasted flour with 1 tsp salt. Using a mixer, beat the butter and 1 1/4 cup sugar on high speed for 2 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add vanilla and milk and mix on medium speed. Slowly add the toasted flour mixture and 2/3 cup sprinkles, mixing on low speed until just combined.
  2. Shape and Freeze Cookie Discs: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use a small cookie scoop to portion dough, then flatten each into discs with your hands. Place 15 discs on the sheet and freeze while preparing the cake batter.
  3. Prepare Cookie Dough Balls for Decoration: Set aside two 1/2 cups of cookie dough for the cake filling. With the remaining dough, roll into small balls, place on a plate lined with parchment, and freeze until ready to use.
  4. Prepare the Vanilla Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift together 3 cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using a mixer, beat the butter, oil, and 1 1/2 cup sugar for 2 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add vanilla, eggs, and sour cream, mixing until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing on low until just combined. Finish folding batter with a spatula.
  5. Assemble Cake Layers with Cookie Discs: Divide batter evenly into cake pans. Place 5 frozen cookie dough discs onto each layer’s batter. Bake for 26-32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Cool Cake Layers: Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
  7. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Sift powdered sugar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter on high speed for 2 minutes until creamy. Add cream cheese and beat for 1 minute, scraping bowl halfway through. Gradually add powdered sugar in two portions on low speed. Add vanilla and salt, mix on low until combined, then beat on high until smooth and creamy.
  8. Trim Cake Layers: Using a serrated knife, cut domes off tops of cooled cakes to level layers.
  9. Assemble Cake: Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread 3/4 cup frosting evenly on top. Pipe a border around edge of this layer to contain filling. Spread the reserved 1/2 cup cookie dough discs evenly over frosting. Repeat with second layer, then place final layer upside down on top.
  10. Apply Crumb Coat and Chill: Spread a thin layer of frosting over entire cake to seal crumbs, then freeze for 15 minutes.
  11. Decorate the Cake: Frost the cake fully with remaining frosting. Top with frozen sugar cookie dough balls and sprinkle with extra Christmas sprinkles for a festive finish.

Notes

  • To ensure even baking, measure flour correctly using the spoon-and-level method.
  • Room temperature ingredients help achieve a smooth batter and frosting.
  • The cookie dough discs inside the cake add a fun texture contrast when sliced.
  • Freezing the cookie dough discs and balls makes them easier to handle and helps them maintain shape during baking.
  • Use parchment to easily remove cakes from pans and prevent sticking.
  • Chilling the crumb coat helps reduce crumbs and creates a smoother finish for decorating.

Keywords: Sugar Cookie Cake, Christmas Cake, Layer Cake, Vanilla Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Holiday Dessert, Festive Cake

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/sugar-cookie-cake-recipe/