Name: Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 29 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 & 1/2 cups unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed); 3 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 & 1/2 cups unsalted butter (softened); 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate (melted and cooled slightly); 4 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream

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If you’re a chocolate lover like me, you’ll adore these Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe that perfectly blend the rich, fudgy depth of cake with the chewy indulgence of cookies. These treats are soft, moist, and topped with a luscious, velvety chocolate frosting that elevates every bite. Whether you want a cozy dessert for a family gathering or a show-stopping addition to your cookie exchange, this recipe brings all the chocolatey goodness in a fun, handheld form that everyone will rave about.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several freshly baked chocolate cookies placed on a black cooling rack. Each cookie is round, with a rich dark brown color and a soft texture, dotted with melted chocolate chips that add small, shiny spots on the surface. The cookies are spaced apart, giving a clear view of the white marbled texture beneath the cooling rack. The front cookie is in sharp focus, showing its slightly cracked top and moist look, while the others blur out gently in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that pack big flavor. Each ingredient brings its own magic to create that perfect balance of texture, richness, and chocolate intensity, making the dough easy to work with and the frosting irresistibly creamy.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure so these cookies hold their cakey yet chewy texture.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds deep, chocolatey flavor and that beautiful dark color.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and tender.
Fine sea salt: Enhances the chocolate and balances sweetness perfectly.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates a creamy, rich base for both dough and frosting.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to the perfect chewy texture.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for depth.
Large eggs: Bind everything together while making the cookies tender.
Vanilla extract: Boosts the chocolate’s complexity and adds warmth.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Create melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie.
Semi-sweet chocolate (for frosting): Melted and cooled to infuse the frosting with rich chocolate goodness.
Powdered sugar: Smoothes and sweetens the frosting to a luscious finish.
Heavy cream: Whipped in to make the frosting light, creamy, and easy to pipe.

How to Make Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper — this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Then, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt in a large bowl. Setting this aside allows the dry ingredients to combine evenly, which ensures a consistent texture throughout your cookies.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In your mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar. Doing this for around three minutes until it’s light and fluffy is the secret to soft, tender cookies that almost melt in your mouth. This step also helps to incorporate air, which is essential for that beautiful cakey texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures each egg fully integrates into the dough without breaking the emulsion. A splash of vanilla extract brings out the richness of chocolate and adds a lovely fragrant warmth to your cookies.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients in Batches

Now, add your dry mixture in three batches to avoid creating a floury mess. Mixing gradually helps the dough come together neatly and evenly. Remember to scrape down the bowl sides as needed to combine all the ingredients and keep the texture just right. Stir in the chocolate chips last, so you get pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.

Step 5: Portion and Shape the Cookies

Divide your dough into about 12 equal portions, around 5 ounces each, then roll each into a smooth ball. Place these on your prepared baking sheets spaced about 6 inches apart — these cookies will spread out quite a bit. Gently press each dough ball down into a large, even circle. This flattening step is key for that perfect cakey cookie shape with sufficient surface area to hold all the luscious frosting.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, keeping an eye on them. You want to take them out just as the centers look dry; this way, they retain a wonderfully tender crumb without being raw or overly crumbly. Let the cookies cool completely on the sheet trays before handling — this is important so they set properly and don’t fall apart.

Step 7: Make the Chocolate Frosting

While your cookies cool, whip up the decadent chocolate frosting. Start by beating softened butter until silky smooth, then mix in the melted semi-sweet chocolate. Slowly add the powdered sugar, combining until your frosting thickens to the perfect consistency. A splash of vanilla extract deepens the flavor, and carefully adding heavy cream while whipping makes the frosting light, fluffy, and oh-so-pipeable.

Step 8: Frost and Finish

Once your cookies are fully cooled, use an open star piping tip to create pretty rosettes of frosting on top of each cookie. This not only adds extra chocolate bliss but makes your cookies look absolutely irresistible. Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment!

How to Serve Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe

A silver mixing bowl filled with a thick, smooth light brown chocolate batter with soft peaks showing texture and movement. The bowl is centered on a white marbled surface, with the batter appearing creamy and well-mixed, covering the inner sides of the bowl evenly. No additional elements or layers are visible around the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or finely chopped toasted nuts on top of your frosting rosettes for a delightful contrast in texture and flavor. A few decorative chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips add an elegant touch that makes these cookies party-ready. Fresh raspberries nearby can also bring a bright, tangy pop against the chocolate richness.

Side Dishes

Pair these Chocolate Cake Cookies with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee or tea to balance the sweetness. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream beside each cookie turns it into a decadent dessert treat. For a festive occasion, serve alongside fresh fruit or a berry compote to add freshness and a pop of color.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd-pleasing display, arrange the cookies on a tiered cake stand, adding sprigs of mint or edible flowers for charm. Presenting these cookies in decorative cupcake liners or clear treat bags tied with ribbons makes them perfect for gifting. You can also sandwich two cookies with frosting inside for a delightful twist on a classic whoopie pie.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe stay fresh for up to three days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To keep the frosting looking its best, avoid stacking the cookies directly on top of each other—using parchment sheets between layers helps prevent smudging and sticking.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookies unfrosted for up to three months. Simply wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. To freeze them frosted, use a single layer on a tray first and freeze until the frosting hardens, then transfer to a container with parchment layers for protection. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as this can cause the frosting to melt unevenly. Warm cookies with softened frosting are a comforting treat that tastes just like fresh from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder instead of natural cocoa powder?

Yes! Dutch-processed cocoa powder has a smoother, less acidic flavor and will work wonderfully in this recipe. Just keep in mind it might alter the texture slightly, but the chocolatey richness will remain fantastic.

Is it necessary to use both granulated and brown sugar?

Using both adds a balance of sweetness and moisture—granulated sugar contributes to the chewiness, while brown sugar keeps the cookies tender and adds subtle caramel notes. You can experiment, but this combo helps achieve the ideal texture.

Can I make the frosting without heavy cream?

Heavy cream is key for the frosting’s fluffy texture. If you don’t have it, you can try milk or half-and-half but expect a thinner consistency. Adjust powdered sugar as needed to thicken the frosting.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill your dough slightly before baking if needed. Also, spacing the dough balls adequately on the baking sheet helps avoid crowding and excessive spreading.

Can these cookies be made gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just ensure it includes xanthan gum for structure, and be mindful the texture might be a bit different but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Cake Cookies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe is a total game-changer that will quickly become one of your go-to treats. The harmony of cakey softness, gooey chocolate chips, and rich frosting is pure comfort on a plate. I can’t wait for you to try it and share these delightful cookies with your loved ones—trust me, they’re worth every single bite!