{ Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Layer Cake }

As I've mentioned before, we always celebrate Bean's birthday with the family on Easter. Everyone is already here, so, why not? With the way Easter runs, it could be anywhere from a couple weeks early to a couple weeks late. This year, it's a couple weeks early.

Soon though, my boy will be 19. Nineteen? Isn't that like a real grown up? At least at 19 we thought we were real grown ups, right? At 19 I got married. It's crazy to think that he is now the age I was when I got married! This Is. Not. Real. Life. right???

Last year I made him a Reese's Cake, since Reese's are his favorite things ever.

Reese's Cake

This year I decided to another one of his favorite things, cookie dough. Layers of chocolate cake filled with a yummy cookie dough and topped with a cookie dough buttercream. Yas.

I love the look of cakes with exposed sides, or Naked Cakes as I prefer to call them.This is the perfect recipe for a naked cake. Slather it on if you like, but I think buttercream all over would be too much.

Naked Cakes are simple, pretty, rustic.

When you make this recipe, depending on how thick you go with your cookie dough, you may have some left over. I did, so I threw in some extra flour, rolled it up and dipped it in chocolate to make the Cookie Dough Truffles I have topping and sitting around the cake. They were a huge hit as well. I have a recipe on here just for those as well: Cookie Dough Bites.

While this looks like a big cake, I should note, this is three 6" layers. That equals out to two 8" layers or one basic recipe/box mix. I just like the look of the little 6" cakes, they are sweet and the extra layer makes them look impressive. This will work just as well with two 8" layers though!

Have a cookie dough happy day,

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Layer Cake

by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

1 recipe chocolate cake-baked and cooled  
Level layers but cutting any dome off the top 

*This is my go to chocolate cake, but a box will work.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling

1  Cup Flour

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup mini chocolate chips

Prepare filling:

Beat butter until creamy. Add in sugars and milk. Beat again. Add all other ingredients except chips. Mix until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips.

Add desired amount between layers. You can also add some to the top, under the buttercream, or use any excess to make cookie dough truffles (see post above).

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Buttercream
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Prepare buttercream:

Beat butter until creamy. Add in brown sugar and salt. Beat until fluffy. Mix in flour, then add powdered sugar. Add in milk and vanilla. If needed, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time until reaching desired creaminess. Fold in chocolate chips. Pipe on top of cake.

Store cake in the fridge, until about 1 hour prior to serving.