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Home Recipes Cookies and Bars

Easy Gluten Free Cookie Cake {Dairy-Free Option}

Published: Apr 1, 2022 by Sandi Gaertner · 20 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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a pin image of the gluten free cookie cake

This homemade gluten free cookie cake is a great alternative to bake for a birthday! This large chewy gluten free chocolate chip cookie cake is easy to make and decorate with frosting and sprinkles! It is the perfect dessert for any occasion!

a slice of gluten free cookie cake on a white plate.
Jump to:
  • Why This Gluten Free Cookie Cake Is Great:
  • Ingredient Notes:
  • Recipe Step By Step Directions:
  • Decorating The Cookie Cake:
  • Storage:
  • Tips and Recipe FAQ:
  • Cookie Flavors To Try:
  • More Gluten Free Birthday Recipes:
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

When my kids were young, I remember Mrs. Field's Cookie store in the mall that was famous for its cookie cakes. We even ordered a few before we went gluten free. I loved the simplicity of these decadent soft cookie cakes. When we all stopped eating gluten, these cakes were a thing of the past.

Now we make a gluten free cookie birthday cake for friends and family. They are easier to transport than a layer cake, and everyone loves cookies!

If you have been looking for the best gluten free chocolate chip cookie cake for a special occasion, this is the recipe to make!! This cookie cake is also perfect for a kid's class birthday party!

Check out all of my delicious gluten free cookie recipes for even more flavors of cookie cakes.

Why This Gluten Free Cookie Cake Is Great:

  1. You can make this gluten free cookie cake flavored as a chocolate chip cookie I did, or use one of my alternative flavor options below.
  2. A giant chocolate chip cookie cake is so much easier to make than a layer cake.
  3. Decorating is fun and you have so many fun ways to make a cookie cake special.
  4. You can make and decorate a cookie cake in about 30 minutes.

A huge thank you to Fearless Dining - Gluten Free Recipes for your amazing cookie cake recipe! I surprised my daughter after her birthday dinner and she was SO EXCITED.

Super easy to make, and everyone loved it. You made my girl’s day and my mama's heart so happy 🥳"

Missy M.

Ingredient Notes:

photos of the cookie cake ingredients.
  • Gluten free flour blend - I tested this recipe using King Arthur's Measure for Measure Gluten Free Blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours and I can not guarantee the recipe will work if you use other mixes.
  • Xanthan Gum - If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  • Butter - Use unsalted butter. To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter.
  • Optional protein boost - You can add two scoops of a collagen protein powder to add a little protein to balance out the sugars. I used Vital Proteins. Again this is optional.
  • Vanilla - Use pure vanilla extract and not imitation if you can.
  • Eggs - Use size large.
  • Chocolate chips - Most brands of chocolate chips are gluten free, but always check the label. I used Ghirardelli bittersweet chips for this recipe. If you are dairy-free, use Enjoy Life brand.

Recipe Step By Step Directions:

photos of the bowls with the dry and wet ingredients.

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the gluten free flour blend, brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, sea salt, and protein powder (if you are using it.) Mix the dry ingredients together.

To measure your gluten free flour, I recommend using either the spoon method or leveling method.

Spoon Method: You can also use a spoon to fill the measuring cup. Use a knife to level along the top to remove the extra flour.

Leveling Method: Put the measuring scoop into the flour and fill. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour.

Step 2: In a small bowl, add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a wire whisk to blend the wet ingredients together.

HINT: You can also use a standing mixer with a paddle attachment to mix up the dough. If you use this, add the wet ingredients to the mixer bowl. Blend on medium-low speed. Turn off the mixer to gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed and gradually increase the speed until the ingredients are mixed.

photos of steps 3 and 4

Step 3: Mix the wet and dry ingredients into a cookie dough.

Step 4: Spray coconut oil or another oil in a 10-inch springform pan. (The difference will be the thickness of the cookie cake.) Place the cookie dough in the pan.

photos of the dough in the springform pan and then after it was baked.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350º F. Press the cookie dough flat to cover the bottom of the springform pan. If you do not have a springform pan, use parchment paper to line a cookie cake pan or pizza pan.

Step 6: Bake the gluten free cookie cake for 15-17 minutes depending on thickness. The top of the cake should be slightly golden brown.

Step 7: Remove the sides of the springform pan and cool the cake on a wire cooling rack. For best results, do not frost the cake until the cookie cake is fully cooled.

Step 8: Decorate the cake any way you like. Use buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Decorate the entire top of the cake, or decorate as I did by using chocolate frosting around the edge of the cake. If it is for a birthday, you can use cake icing to write Happy Birthday on the cake.

the top view of the decorated cookie cake.

Decorating The Cookie Cake:

I have a great gluten free frosting recipe, which includes lots of color and flavor options. Also, check my gluten free sprinkles list to be sure your sprinkles are gluten free.

Here are some fun ways to decorate your cake:

  • Add frosting to a piping bag. Use a star tip to dot rosettes around the outside of the cake. TIP: I recommend starting the frosting a little way away from the edge so the cookie is easy to hold without getting frosting on your fingers.
  • Melt chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake.
  • Before the frosting or chocolate dry, add sprinkles!

Storage:

Store this cookie cake in a cake storage container so you don't mess up the frosting or decorations. It will keep fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze this cake.

Flash freeze it on a cookie sheet, then seal in a zipper bag if the cookie fits. If not, wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.

Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Is a cookie cake a cake or a cookie?

The easy answer is both! It is made as a giant cookie, but decorated like a cake.

What is a cookie cake made of?

A cookie cake is made of cookie. You can use your favorite cookie recipe, or use mine to make it.

Can you make this cookie cake ahead?

You can easily make this cookie cake ahead. Just make the cake and chill it. Decorate before you are ready to serve it.

Can you make this gluten free cookie cake dairy-free?

You can easily make this gluten free cookie cake dairy-free by

Cookie Flavors To Try:

You can use this gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe, or try another flavor of cookie cake. Here are some fun cookies that are perfect for a party:

  • Gluten Free Chocolate Brownie Cookies
  • Gluten Free Snickerdoodles
  • Easy Gluten Free Funfetti Cookies
  • Gluten Free M&M Cookies
an angled view of the cookie cake.

More Gluten Free Birthday Recipes:

  • Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
  • Moist Gluten Free Carrot Layer Cake
  • Gluten Free Unicorn Birthday Cake
  • Incredible Gluten Free Vanilla Cake (White Cake Option)

📖 Recipe

a slice of gluten free cookie cake on a white plate.

Gluten Free Cookie Cake

Sandi Gaertner
This homemade gluten free cookie cake is a great alternative to bake for a birthday! This large chewy gluten free chocolate chip cookie cake is easy to make and decorate.
4.91 from 11 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 17 minutes mins
Total Time 22 minutes mins
Course Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar light or dark
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 11 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 2 eggs large
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • Optional: 2 scoops unflavored collagen protein powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add all of the dry ingredients including the gluten free flour blend, brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, sea salt, and protein powder (if you are using it.) Add the chocolate chips too. Mix the dry ingredients together.
  • In a small bowl, add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a wire whisk to blend the wet ingredients together.
  • HINT: You can also use a standing mixer with a paddle attachment to mix up the dough. If you use this, add the wet ingredients to the mixer bowl. Blend on medium-low speed. Turn off the mixer to gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed and gradually increase the speed until the ingredients are mixed.
  • Mix the wet and dry ingredients into a cookie dough.
  • Spray coconut oil or another oil in a 10-inch springform pan. (The difference will be the thickness of the cookie cake.) Place the cookie dough in the pan.
  • Preheat the oven to 350º F. Press the cookie dough flat to cover the bottom of the springform pan. If you do not have a springform pan, use parchment paper to line a cookie cake pan or pizza pan.
  • Bake the gluten free cookie cake for 15-17 minutes depending on thickness. The top of the cake should be slightly golden brown.
  • Remove the sides of the springform pan and cool the cake on a wire cooling rack. For best results, do not frost the cake until the cookie cake is fully cooled.
  • Decorate the cake any way you like. Use buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Decorate the entire top of the cake, or decorate as I did by using chocolate frosting around the edge of the cake. If it is for a birthday, you can use cake icing to write Happy Birthday on the cake.

Notes

  1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF blend. That doesn't mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
  2. If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum or guar gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  3. To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter and use dairy-free chips like Enjoy Life.
Decorating The Cookie Cake:
I have a great gluten free frosting recipe, which includes lots of color and flavor options. Also, check my gluten free sprinkles list to be sure your sprinkles are gluten free.
Here are some fun ways to decorate your cake:
  • Add frosting to a piping bag. Use a star tip to dot rosettes around the outside of the cake. TIP: I recommend starting the frosting a little way away from the edge so the cookie is easy to hold without getting frosting on your fingers.
  • Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake.
  • Before the frosting or chocolate dry, add sprinkles!

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 296mgPotassium: 39mgFiber: 2gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 394IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Victoria Hayes

    May 16, 2023 at 3:41 pm

    Would this work in a cast iron skillet?

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      May 16, 2023 at 9:06 pm

      Yes, I love using a cast iron skillet for this recipe!

      Reply
  2. Angela

    April 22, 2023 at 2:05 am

    When you say gf flour blend, do you mean self raising or plain flour?
    Thankyou

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 22, 2023 at 8:19 am

      Gluten free flour blend is a combination of gluten free grains and starches. It isn't self-raising because the blend doesn't have a rising agent.

      Reply
  3. Leo Parker

    April 06, 2023 at 4:08 am

    5 stars
    I don't know if you will see this but my Daughter and I just made the cookie cake and it turned out AWESOME! With my Daughter having POTS disease and my wife having Addisons disease it is so hard finding things for them to eat especially deserts. Thank you so very much for posting this recipe. I would like to send a picture of the finished product but don't know how. Once again thank you!!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 06, 2023 at 7:26 am

      Hi Leo, I am so glad to get this comment. I fully know POTS because my daughter had it. I know how hard it can be, and you absolutely made my day by telling me your daughter and wife could both enjoy this cookie cake. Please reach out if there is anything I can make that they would enjoy.

      Reply
  4. Christy Whitaker

    November 09, 2022 at 4:58 pm

    5 stars
    This is our fav cookie cake recipe. So easy to make and super yummy!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      November 09, 2022 at 8:36 pm

      I am so glad you loved this cookie cake. It is fun to decorate for holidays too!

      Reply
  5. Missy

    November 09, 2022 at 9:32 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! My daughter has been missing cookie cake and this made her birthday. My springform is 9.5” and I definitely should have let it cook a few more minutes. I was worried about it being hard or dry, but that was not the case at all. If I’d cooked to a golden brown it would have been cooked through perfectly. Will make this again!

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      November 09, 2022 at 9:54 am

      I am so glad you loved this, Missy. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know it was a hit with your daughter!

      Reply
  6. Lucy

    May 30, 2022 at 8:28 am

    Was slightly dry with 2 eggs but after trying it again with 3 eggs it was perfect! All my non gf/df family loved it as well! Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      May 30, 2022 at 9:10 am

      Hi Lucy, that is interesting. Can I ask what gluten free flour blend you used? Every blend is so different with different starch ratios. Also, How do you measure your flour? I recommend one of these methods to avoid using too much flour: Spoon Method: You can also use a spoon to fill the measuring cup. Use a knife to level along the top to remove the extra flour. Leveling Method: Put the measuring scoop into the flour and fill. Do not pack the flour. Use a knife to scrape along the top to remove the extra flour.

      Reply
      • Donna Caruthers

        June 09, 2022 at 11:15 am

        The instructions don’t list when to add the baking soda or the chocolate chips.

      • Sandi Gaertner

        June 09, 2022 at 1:35 pm

        Hi Donna, Add in the baking soda and chips with the dry ingredients. I clarified in the recipe card as well. Thank you!!

    • Sandy

      October 31, 2022 at 9:34 am

      4 stars
      I made this cake for my daughters birthday with vegan butter amd Bobs gluten free 1:1 flour. I did not add the salt as I used salted vegan butter. I used the spoon measure for the flour and the batter was not cookie dough consistency. I did have an issue with the timing of the bake time. I used a 9” springform pan and it was not done at 17 mins. I ended up having to bake it for around 25 mins so that it was cooked in The middle but still chewy. I did bake another and used the leveling measure of flour and it was a cookie dough this time. Everyone loved both!

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        October 31, 2022 at 10:13 am

        Thank you so much or your note and tips. I am so glad everyone enjoyed the cake. I do find baking time varies depending on the pan used. I used.

  7. Brenda

    April 03, 2022 at 8:45 pm

    11 tablespoons of melted butter, is this correct?

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 04, 2022 at 12:42 pm

      Hi Brenda, the amount of butter is correct. Cookies always have a lot of butter since there is no milk.

      Reply
  8. Pyper

    April 03, 2022 at 6:11 pm

    Is it baking soda or baking powder? The ingredient list says one, the instructions another.

    Reply
    • Sandi Gaertner

      April 03, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      Sorry Pyper, it is just baking soda.

      Reply

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