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    Home » Recipes » Recipes » Gluten-Free Cookie Cake

    Gluten-Free Cookie Cake

    Modified: Jan 13, 2025 · Published: Nov 8, 2024 by Chandice · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Pinterest image with the words Gluten Free Cookie Cake in the middle. Top image is a slice of gluten free cookie cake on a white place, bottom image is the side profile of a full cookie cake decorated with chocolate frosting sprinkles and chocolate chips

    This is the best, chewy, gooey, Gluten-Free Cookie Cake! It’s perfect for any special occasion or celebration. From the melty chocolate chips, to the ribbon of buttercream along the top, you’re not going to be able to get enough of this tasty dessert.

    Top view of a gluten free cookie cake with a slice taken out, topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.

    Not only does this cookie cake taste like heaven, but it’s fun to decorate with dairy-free chocolate frosting, sprinkles, extra chocolate chips, marshmallows, whipped cream, and anything else my little heart desires. You can do the same! While this recipe doesn’t tell you exactly what to put on your cake, I want you to dive in and let it shine however you want it to with the decorations. I’ll provide the delicious cookie cake.

    Why I Love This Recipe

    A cookie cake doesn’t become this delicious without a few special ingredients like nutmeg and a splash of almond extract. But not so much that it’s overwhelming. Just enough to keep everyone guessing what that added note of depth is. These amazing dashes of goodness are what make this particular cookie cake so amazing.

    Slice of a gluten free cookie cake topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.

    While this recipe has many ingredients, it’s so delightfully easy to make for any occasion. Even the quick ones where you need to create a fast dessert. This recipe makes those quick-turn party ideas a snap.

    Ingredients

    • Gluten-free flour – Use the flour you like best! I like King Arthur, personally.
    • Chocolate chips – I like semi-sweet chips so they’re perfectly sweet without getting too rich, but use whatever you like best.
    • Pecan pieces – These nuts add a nice texture to this gluten free cookie cake that makes it irresistible.
    • Almond flour – This adds a gorgeous texture to this cookie cake that you can’t get any other way.
    • Sugar – What’s a cookie without sugar?
    • Brown sugar – And of course this sweetness is so fantastic in cookies.
    • Melted butter – Cookies always need a little butter to balance the flavors and add the appropriate amount of fat to make the whole cookie cake come together.
    • Egg – You only need one for this recipe, but it’s important to bring everything together.
    • Salt – Yep, just like most cookies, you’ll need a little dash of salt to enhance the flavors.
    • Vanilla extract – This also helps bring out the yummy flavors.
    • Almond extract – This is one of those fun ingredients that gives the recipe a little something special.
    • Nutmeg – This is my secret! I love this little punch of flavor in this gluten-free cookie cake.
    Ingredients for a gluten free cookie cake measured out in various size bowls and resting on a marble countertop. Text for each ingredients is listed on the image.

    How to Make a Cookie Cake

    Preheat oven to 375°.

    Combine the gluten-free flour, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl.

    Add the brown sugar and white sugar to the bowl with the gluten-free flour mixture.

    Add: Next, add chocolate chips and pecan pieces to the bowl and stir.

    Beat: In a separate bowl, beat egg, melted dairy-free butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract together.

    Images that show how to make a gluten free cookie cake including mixing dry ingredients in a white bowl, mixing wet ingredients in a clear bowl, combining wet and dry ingredients, combining into a dough, and the final image of the baked cake.

    Mix: With a wooden spoon or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, combine the wet ingredients and dry ingredients (don’t overmix to keep the chocolate chips intact).

    Add: If needed, add in 1-2 tablespoons of dairy-free milk to get a wet dough that comes together well. Add one tablespoon at a time.

    Refrigerate: Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

    Press the dough into an 11.5 inch cookie cake pan.

    Bake for 12-14 minutes.

    Cool and pipe the outside edges with dairy-free chocolate buttercream (optional but so good!)

    Frosting

    I highly recommend adding a bit of buttercream frosting (I like chocolate best) to this recipe. Just a nice, wide ribbon along the edge will do nicely to make sure you still get that cake-like sweetness without overdoing it.

    Side view of a gluten free cookie cake topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.

    If you’re being conscious about dairy and trying to make more dairy-free desserts these days. I Recommend a dairy-free buttercream. Now, I know, making a dairy-free buttercream might seem a bit out of reach sometimes. Or maybe you’ve tried some that just don’t taste as good as the real thing. 

    Good news! I have a delicious solution for that too. This dairy-free chocolate frosting is thick, rich, and creamy and is so perfect on this cookie cake without sacrificing any tastiness in the process.

    What About the Chocolate Chips?

    Some chocolate chips are made in facilities with gluten. And many more have dairy in them (if you’re also conscious about that), but there are many at your local grocery store that are high-quality and delicious too. 

    Top view of a gluten free cookie cake topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.

    I recommend Guittard, semi-sweet chocolate chips or Enjoy Life brands. Both are perfect for this recipe. And there are so many others out there you can use.

    Storing Instructions

    I recommend baking the cookie cake ahead of time and freezing for up to three months. Once you’re ready to decorate it, pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw on the counter before you decorate it with dairy-free frosting.

    If you prefer to freeze the cookie dough, that’s another excellent way to make this recipe ahead of time. Instead, you can wrap up the dough and save it in a freezer-safe container or storage bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pull it out to thaw on the counter and press into the cake pan before baking. Once the cookie cake has cooled you can decorate.

    Side view of a gluten free cookie cake with a piece cut out, topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.

    Then enjoy for any celebration you saved it for!

    Recipe Variations

    • Sugar Free – Swap the sugar for your favorite sugar-free substitute and the chocolate chips for a sugar free variety.
    • Different chips – Try a different kind of chip like butterscotch or white chocolate for a fun twist on this cookie cake.
    • Dairy free – Just make sure you use dairy-free chocolate chip, milk, and butter and you’re set!
    • Frosting – While I mentioned and linked you to a dairy-free chocolate buttercream recipe above, you can use whatever buttercream you’d like. Decorate this cookie cake in all your favorite ways.
    Slice of a gluten free cookie cake topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.

    I hope you and your loved ones enjoy making and eating this cookie cake as much as me and my family do! And if you just can’t get enough cookies, try more recipes linked below.

    More Cookie Recipes

    • Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
    • Vegan Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
    • Red Hot Cookies Recipe
    • Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
    • Gluten free no bake cookies

    Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
    Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!

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    Gluten-Free Cookie Cake

    Top view of a gluten free cookie cake with a slice partially removed, topped with chocolate buttercream on the outside, sprinkles and chocolate chips, sitting on a white plate, and surrounded by more sprinkles.
    5 from 1 vote
    This is the best, chewy, gooey, Gluten-Free Cookie Cake! It’s perfect for any special occasion or celebration. From the melty chocolate chips, to the ribbon of buttercream along the top, you’re not going to be able to get enough of this tasty dessert.
    PRINT RECIPE SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 40 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 14 minutes mins
    Total Time: 55 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cake, cookie, cookie cake, gluten-free
    Servings: 12 Slices
    Calories: 369kcal
    Author: Chandice Probst

    Ingredients

    • 1 2/3 Cups Gluten-free cup for cup flour blend
    • 1/4 Cup Almond flour
    • 1/2 tsp Real Salt
    • 3/4 tsp Baking soda
    • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
    • 1 Cup Chocolate chips
    • 1/2 Cup Pecan pieces
    • 3/4 Cup Brown sugar
    • 1/2 Cup Sugar
    • 1 Egg
    • 3/4 Cup Butter melted
    • 1 tsp Gluten-free vanilla extract
    • 1/2 tsp Gluten-free almond extract
    • 1-2 Tbsp Milk (only if needed)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375°
    • Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl.
    • Add the brown sugar and white sugar to the bowl with the flour mixture.
    • Next, add chocolate chips and pecan pieces to the bowl and stir.
    • In a separate bowl, beat egg, melted dairy-free butter, almond extract, and vanilla extract together.
    • With a wooden spoon or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, combine the wet ingredients and dry ingredients (don’t overmix to keep the chocolate chips intact).
    • If needed, add in 1-2 tablespoons of dairy-free milk to get a wet dough that comes together well. Add one tablespoon at a time.
    • Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
    • Press the dough into an 11.5 inch cookie cake pan.
    • Bake for 12-14 minutes.
    • Cool and pipe the outside edges with dairy-free chocolate buttercream (optional but so good!)

    Notes

    Storing Instructions

    I recommend baking the cookie cake ahead of time and freezing for up to three months. Once you’re ready to decorate it, pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw on the counter before you decorate it with dairy-free frosting.
    If you prefer to freeze the cookie dough, that’s another excellent way to make this recipe ahead of time. Instead, you can wrap up the dough and save it in a freezer-safe container or storage bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pull it out to thaw on the counter and press into the cake pan before baking. Once the cookie cake has cooled you can decorate.
    Then enjoy for any celebration you saved it for!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi, I'm Chandice!

    Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Thompson says

      November 27, 2024 at 10:29 pm

      This looks very yummy! My son is allergic to tree nuts, so I’m wondering if the almond flour is an absolute necessity for the recipe to work or if it’s just for flavor?

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        December 03, 2024 at 4:50 am

        You can just leave it out and use more gf all purpose flour but it may be slightly different in texture but not too much.

        Reply
    2. Chandice Probst says

      November 16, 2024 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      This gluten free cookie cake is rich, chewy and so delicious! It is simple to make and can be decorated for any occasion or holiday!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi there, I’m Chandice!

    I love sharing ways to live more vivaciously! Celebrate life with us through unforgettable gluten-free recipes, easy mocktails and everyday entertaining ideas…

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