Name: Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 Tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; ⅔ cup avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil; ½ cup sour cream; 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste; ¾ cup whole milk, room temperature preferred; 6 large or extra large egg whites; 20 Oreo cookies, broken into pieces; ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; 12 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened; 5 ¼ cups powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste; 1 Tablespoon heavy cream (optional); 10 Oreo cookies, pulverized to fine crumbs

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 31 reviews

If you have a soft spot for classic cookies and cream flavors, then this Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe is the perfect showstopper to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests. Imagine layers of moist, tender cake studded with chunks of Oreo cookies, all wrapped in a luscious cream cheese frosting dotted with Oreo crumbs. This cake is a heavenly combination of textures and flavors that bring the timeless Oreo cookie into cake form with a touch of elegance and a lot of delicious fun. Whether it’s a special occasion or a random Tuesday craving, this recipe will quickly become a favorite you’ll want to bake again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A large clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled halfway with smooth white cream. One side of the cream is topped with a thick layer of crushed black and dark brown cookie pieces, which are rough in texture and unevenly spread. A bright blue silicone spatula is placed inside the bowl, resting on the edge where cream and cookies meet. Scattered around the bowl on the white marbled surface are whole and broken sandwich cookies with black outer layers and white filling clearly visible. A small empty white bowl with a gold rim is in the top left corner, and a blue cloth napkin partially peeks in from the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Plain ingredients with extraordinary results: these simple pantry staples come together to create an unforgettable Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe. Each component plays a key role, from the tender crumb of the cake to the creamy and flavorful frosting that ties everything together.

All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The foundation of your cake, providing structure and softness.
Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the cake and helps with moisture retention.
Baking powder (1 tablespoon): Gives the cake its light, airy rise.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (6 tablespoons, softened): Adds richness and tenderness to the cake crumb.
Avocado, canola, or vegetable oil (⅔ cup): Keeps the cake moist and tender without weighing it down.
Sour cream (½ cup): Adds a subtle tang and extra moisture for a luscious texture.
Vanilla bean paste (1 tablespoon): Delivers a deep, aromatic vanilla flavor.
Whole milk (¾ cup, room temperature): Makes the batter smoother and keeps the cake soft.
Large or extra-large egg whites (6): Whipped to stiff peaks, they lightened the batter beautifully.
Oreo cookies (20, broken into pieces): The signature cookies that bring crunch and chocolatey sweetness inside the cake layers.
Unsalted butter (¾ cup, softened for frosting): Creates a creamy, rich frosting base.
Cream cheese (12 oz, softened): Adds tang and decadence to the frosting.
Powdered sugar (5 ¼ cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly.
Salt (¼ teaspoon for frosting): Balances sweetness in the frosting.
Vanilla bean paste (1 ½ teaspoons for frosting): Enhances the frosting’s flavor.
Heavy cream (1 tablespoon, optional): Makes frosting extra silky and easy to pipe.
Oreo cookies (10, pulverized): Mixed into and pressed onto the frosting for that iconic cookies and cream look.

How to Make Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and baking spray — this ensures your cake will release easily and bake evenly. Then, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. This simple combination forms the base of your cake batter.

Step 2: Incorporate Butter and Wet Ingredients

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, add softened butter one tablespoon at a time into the dry mix until the texture resembles sandy crumbs — this is crucial for a tender crumb and rich flavor. Next, stir in the oil, sour cream, and vanilla bean paste slowly, then add room temperature milk, mixing until smooth and combined.

Step 3: Whip Egg Whites to Stiff Peaks

In a clean, grease-free bowl, beat your egg whites until stiff peaks form. This step is key for making your cake wonderfully light and fluffy. Be patient with this process, as these whipped whites are what will lift the batter.

Step 4: Fold in Egg Whites and Oreo Chunks

Gently fold the whipped egg whites into your batter, careful not to overmix, so you keep all that airy goodness intact. Then fold in the chopped Oreo pieces, which will give pockets of delightful crunch and bursts of cookies and cream flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Divide the batter evenly into your prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cakes cool for 15 minutes in the pans, then invert them onto racks to cool completely. Cooling fully is critical before frosting.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then add salt, vanilla, and optional heavy cream. Beat on high until fluffy and light, perfect for spreading and piping.

Step 7: Assemble and Decorate Your Cake

Frost the cooled cake layers evenly using about two-thirds of the frosting. Press pulverized Oreo crumbs around the sides halfway up for that iconic cookies and cream look. Mix the remaining Oreo crumbs into the leftover frosting and pipe lovely swirls onto the cake’s top using a large piping tip. Your stunning Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe is ready to wow!

How to Serve Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe

A slice of three-layer cookies and cream cake sits on a stack of white plates with a silver fork resting beside it. Each layer is light-colored cake embedded with large dark cookie pieces, separated by thin layers of white frosting. The top of the slice is decorated with a swirl of cookies and cream frosting that is speckled with dark cookie crumbs. Around the plates is a bright blue cloth, and in the background, there is a full cake with the same frosting swirls on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Enhance your cake’s presentation and flavor by garnishing with extra Oreo cookies, crushed to varying sizes for texture contrast. A few whole Oreos on top add a playful statement, while a dusting of cocoa powder or even a drizzle of chocolate ganache can bring a gourmet flair.

Side Dishes

Pair this rich cake with light, fresh accompaniments like a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of mixed berries to balance the indulgence. A simple glass of cold milk also perfectly complements the classic cookies and cream taste.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the cake into generous wedges and serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cookie crumbs for a delightful café-style treat. Alternatively, try making individual mini versions by using cupcake liners and topping with frosting and Oreo bits for a crowd-pleasing party dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, your Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe keeps best when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Proper storage will maintain the frosting’s texture and keep the cake moist for up to 4 days — though it rarely lasts that long!

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to two months. Thaw completely at room temperature before frosting and assembling to preserve the perfect crumb and frosting consistency.

Reheating

This cake is best enjoyed chilled, but if you prefer, let a slice warm at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can change the texture of the frosting and cake.

FAQs

Can I use whole eggs instead of egg whites?

Using only egg whites is crucial here to achieve the light and fluffy texture that defines this cake. Whole eggs will make the cake denser, but if you must substitute, reduce the number a bit and expect a different crumb.

What if I don’t have vanilla bean paste?

You can easily substitute vanilla extract, but vanilla bean paste gives a richer flavor and little flecks of vanilla that look beautiful in the frosting and batter.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

With suitable gluten-free flour blends that mimic all-purpose flour, you can make this cake gluten-free. Just be mindful that texture might vary slightly.

How do I avoid crumbly frosting?

Make sure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature before mixing. Adding heavy cream also helps achieve that smooth, creamy consistency perfect for piping and spreading.

Can I double this recipe for a larger cake?

Absolutely! Just double all ingredients and bake in larger pans or multiple pans, adjusting baking time as needed. Keep an eye on the cake and test for doneness frequently.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so wonderfully comforting and indulgent about this Oreo Cookies & Cream Cake Recipe that it’s impossible not to smile while making and eating it. With every forkful, you get moist cake, gooey cream cheese frosting, and crunchy Oreo bits in perfect harmony. I promise once you try it, this recipe will become your new go-to for celebrations or just any day you want to treat yourself. So roll up your sleeves and dive into this tasty adventure — your taste buds will thank you!