You’ll love this fluffy, made-from-scratch Oreo Cake! It’s peppered with cookie pieces and covered in a cookies & cream-style frosting. My recipe can be made as a two or a three layer cake and includes a how-to video!
The BEST Oreo Cake Recipe
Why choose between cookies and cake when you can have both? My Oreo cake combines the best of both desserts and turns them into a plush, soft, amazingly tender, cookie-filled cake! It’s frosted with my favorite cream cheese frosting (though I do include a few alternative options) and stacked tall for impressive results. For such humble inspiration, this one is a stunner!
Cakes have always been an endeavor for me to develop because I am a cake perfectionist (OK, I’m a perfectionist with every recipe, my madeleines took over 100 attempts to get right). Fortunately, developing this Oreo cake was easier than usual because I borrowed heavily from my zebra cake. Just as with that recipe, we’ll also be using the reverse creaming method today (it’s easy, a new favorite of mine and I think it’ll be a new favorite technique of yours, too!).
Combined with whipped egg whites, this method creates a bright white base that contrasts beautifully against the black cookies pieces…and don’t even get me started on the texture! It’s wonderfully light, springy, and fluffy (just like my strawberry cake), but still stable enough to stack. And yes, it can hold its own under fondant too!
What You Need
Here are the key ingredients in today’s Oreo cake recipe:
- Oreos. You’ll use the entire cookie sandwich–no need to remove the filling. I just roughly break my cookies into pieces by hand. Don’t make the pieces too small and don’t over-mix once you add them to the batter, or you’ll end up with an Oreo cake that’s grey without discernible pops of cookie.
- Egg whites. Separate your eggs yourself and do NOT use the kind from the carton–those don’t always whip nicely. Don’t want to waste your egg yolks? Use them to make my pound cake, chocolate pie, creme brulee, lemon pie, or key lime cheesecake.
- Sour cream. I love using sour cream in my cakes to add moisture and flavor (it won’t make it taste like sour cream though!). If you can’t find sour cream, full-fat, plain Greek yogurt will also work.
- Vanilla extract. If you can find it, use clear vanilla extract. This will yield the whitest, brightest Oreo cake that will contrast beautifully against the cookies.
- Cream cheese. Use full-fat, brick-style cream cheese for the frosting. Tub-style or low-fat cream cheese makes for a runny, messy frosting that is nearly impossible to use.
SAM’S TIP: While we want our Oreos in larger pieces for the Oreo cake itself, we want them totally pulverized for the frosting decoration (use a food processor if you have one; I love this multi-tool for quick jobs like this). Otherwise, when you pipe the swirls on top, the cookie pieces will clog the piping tip, and there is not much more frustrating than that!
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
Reverse Creaming
As with my caramel cake and yellow cake, I make my Oreo cake batter by using the reverse creaming method. I’ve been on a kick with this method recently, not only for the results, but also the process. It’s much harder to over-mix a cake when using this technique.
It does take a bit of patience, though. We’ll slowly be adding our butter to the dry ingredients, adding one tablespoon at a time until it’s been incorporated into the flour. This method allows us to coat all of the flour with fat from the butter, making for a supremely tender and moist cake with a tight (but soft) crumb.
Whipped Egg Whites
We are using just egg whites in this recipe for two important reasons:
- Color. By eliminating the egg yolks, we keep the crumb of the Oreo cake a pristine white color, which contrasts nicely against the black cookie crumbs. I first dabbled with egg whites when I developed my white cake recipe, and I was so impressed with the results, I’ve used them over and over (and over and over).
- Texture. The color is a lovely plus for this black & white cake, but more importantly, whipped egg whites = light and fluffy texture. This Oreo cake is sturdy enough to be stackable, but its crumb is still very light, plush, and soft.
The photo above shows what your whites should look like once they reach the “stiff peaks” stage. They’re billowy, opaque, and thick and will have increased in volume greatly. If you lightly touch them should hold their shape. They’ll feel almost foam-like (but sturdy) and are more solid than wet. This will take several minutes to achieve, and I highly recommend using an electric mixer, as doing this by hand would take a very long time.
To ensure you’ve achieved stiff peaks, lift your beater directly out of the whites; the peak that forms should hold its shape (a peak!) without dissolving back into the bowl or folding over itself.
Once you add your egg whites though, switch to a spatula and be gentle–never use an electric mixer for this step! The whites should be thoroughly incorporated to ensure there are no lumps; however, you don’t want to mix too much, or you could deflate all the air you just whipped in.
SAM’S TIP: Whip your eggs in a completely clean, dry, and grease-free bowl. And don’t even get a tiny bit of yolk in there with the whites–otherwise your whites may never reach stiff peaks!
Once you master whipping egg whites to stiff peaks, you’ll be ready to tackle many other recipes, like meringues and pavlova!
How to Make Oreo Cake
- Combine the dry ingredients – Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Gradually add the butter – Add the softened butter one tablespoon at a time with the mixer on low speed.
- Stir in the wet ingredients – Add the oil, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Add the milk and stir on low until fully incorporated.
- Whip the egg whites – Beat the egg whites to stiff peaks in a separate, grease-free bowl, then gently fold them into the batter.
- Divide between pans and bake – Stir in the broken Oreo pieces, then transfer your batter to your greased, floured, and lined pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350F.
- Frost and enjoy! Let the cakes cool in their pans for 15 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Once cooled completely, stack and frost the cake as desired.
SAM’S TIP: I like to decorate my Oreo cake by pressing Oreo crumbs halfway up the sides and piping swirls on the top (instructions included below!), but you can get as creative or simple with the decoration as you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cake layers can be made and stored at room temperature for 1-2 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for several months (wrap them really well in plastic first!). Always store in an airtight container.
The frosting can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. You will need to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes and stir well before using. Don’t add the additional cookie crumbs for the decorative swirls on top until you are ready to decorate.
If you want a 2 layer cake, don’t change the recipe, just only fill each cake pan ยพ of the way full (no higher!) and discard the extra batter (or use it to make a couple of cupcakes or mini cupcakes!). I provide detailed instructions on this in the recipe notes below.
For cupcakes, I recommend using my Oreo cupcake recipe instead.
This Oreo cake recipe can also be made in a 9×13 sheet pan (no adjustments to the recipe needed).
Over-mixing, over-baking (by even a minute or two) and over-measuring your flour will result in a cake that is dense, dry, or even one that tastes like cornbread. Avoid all of these things!
Use clear vanilla extract and break your crumbs by hand, shaking out any fine crumbs. Crushing your Oreos too small or using too many finely crushed crumbs will cause your cake to look dirty or grey.
I know you’re going to love this one ❤️
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Oreo Cake (Cookies & Cream Cake!)
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour¹
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ⅔ cup (157 ml) avocado oil, canola oil or vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon clear vanilla²
- ¾ cup (175 ml) whole milk room temperature preferred
- 6 large or extra large egg whites³, room temperature preferred (see note for suggestions on recipes to try with leftover egg yolks.)
- 20 Oreo cookies broken into pieces
Cream Cheese Frosting ⁴
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter softened, use full-fat brick-style cream cheese
- 12 oz cream cheese softened
- 5 ¼ cup (655 g) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream optional
- 10 Oreo cookies pulverized to fine crumbs (if any significant pieces remain they will clog your piping tip)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans (see note 5 to make in two pans) by lining the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper and greasing the sides with baking spray.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl using an electric mixer) whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour¹, 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- Turn mixer to low-speed and add butter, one tablespoon at a time, not adding the next tablespoon until the first is completely combined. When you’re finished, the mixture should resemble coarse sandy crumbs (see video above for visual).6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- Add canola oil and stir until combined, then add sour cream and vanilla extract and stir on low-speed until completely combined. With mixer still on low-speed, add milk until combined.⅔ cup (157 ml) avocado oil, canola oil or vegetable oil, ½ cup (120 g) sour cream, 1 Tablespoon clear vanilla², ¾ cup (175 ml) whole milk room temperature preferred
- In a separate bowl that is completely clean, dry, and grease-free, use clean, dry beaters to beat egg whites to stiff peaks (I show a visual of this in the post above and in the video if it's your first time doing this!).6 large or extra large egg whites³,
- Use a spatula to gently fold your whipped egg whites into batter (don’t overmix, but make sure there are no lumps of egg white remaining).
- Carefully fold in broken Oreo pieces. Divide batter evenly into prepared baking pans and transfer to 350F (175C) oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tops spring back if lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If your oven does not bake evenly you may need to rotate pans halfway through baking.20 Oreo cookies
- Allow cakes to cool in pan for 15 minutes then carefully invert onto cooling rack and allow to completely cool before assembling and decorating.
Cream Cheese Frosting (makes enough to decorate cake as seen in photos)
- Prepare frosting by creaming together butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer or stand mixer until creamy and well-combined.¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, 12 oz cream cheese
- Gradually add powdered sugar with mixer on low-speed (or see my video for a tip for adding all the sugar at once without making a mess!), scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, and stir in salt and vanilla extract. With mixer on low speed, add cream and gradually increase mixer speed to high. Beat for 15-30 seconds until light and smooth.5 ¼ cup (655 g) powdered sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
- Evenly ice cake (you'll only need approximately ⅔ of the icing for this), and once whole cake is covered in icing use your hands to press pulverized Oreo crumbs evenly halfway up the cake. Pour about 3-4 Tablespoons of remaining Oreo cookie crumbs into remaining frosting and stir to combine (you can adjust how many crumbs you'd like to use according to how light or dark you would like your frosting to be). Fit a large piping bag with Ateco 848 piping tip and fill with frosting. Pipe swirls around the top of the cake. Serve and enjoy.10 Oreo cookies
Notes
¹Cake flour
You may substitute 2 ¾ cup or 315g cake flour, if desired²Clear vanilla
Clear vanilla helps to keep the cake bright white (rather than tinted slightly yellow) but regular/classic vanilla extract can be used instead.³Egg whites
I recommend using fresh and not carton egg whites. Some readers have used carton egg whites with success, but for others they never whip to stiff peaks (and many say on the side of the packaging that they will not), so whether or not they will work for you is a bit of a gamble.⁴Frosting
Here are a few of my other favorite frosting options: Swiss Meringue Buttercream Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Ermine Frosting⁵Baking in two pans instead of three
This recipe can be made in two 8” or 9” round pans but only fill each pan ⅔-¾ of the way full and discard any extra batter, otherwise it will overflow in your oven. Two 8” pans will take approximately 35-40 minutes, and two 9” pans will take a bit less time. Keep in mind dark-colored pans typically take less time in the oven and light-colored pans usually require longer.Storing
This cake will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerated for up to a week (unfortunate fact: refrigerators dry out cakes!). It may also be frozen for several months. Please see the post for more detailed information about storing.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Steve
I have not yet made this recipe but it looks delicious! I am thinking about making this cake with Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies instead of Oreos and seeing how it works. I would also like to make a 9×13 pan rather than a layer cake. I’m assuming this recipe would be enough for the pan?
Sam
Hi Steve! This will make enough for a 9 x 13. I’m not sure how the thin mints will work, but let me know how it goes if you try it. ๐
Steve
I also had to make it (mostly) gluten free, so I used 1-1 gluten free flour, added another egg white, and a bit more oil along with switching out the oreos for Thin Mint cookies.
It was delicious, so moist and tasty. I will definitely make it again.
Danielle
Is it possible that I could use vegetable shortening instead of butter for the cream cheese frosting? Thanks!
Sam
Hi Danielle! I think the consistency will be fine, but I can’t say for sure how it will change the flavor.
Danielle
This recipe was AMAZING. My family loved it and it was so good. I subbed the butter for vegetable shortening and used buttermilk instead of sour cream. Still came out delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Susan B.
It’s an absolute winner!
Charlotte
Iโm making this cake for my great niece but she wants 10โ rounds. Should I multiply everything by 1.5 to have enough for a good height?
Thanks!
Sam
Hi Charlotte! I think that would work well. I hope she loves the cake! ๐
Melissa A Beachy
Question, can this be baked in a bundt pan? If so, would the temperature and timing change?
Sam
Hi Melissa! It could be baked in a bundt pan, but I’m not sure how long it would take to bake. You would want to use the same temperature. ๐
Marilyn
This cake is devine. It’s one of the softest cakes I’ve eaten. I shared it amongst about 20 people and everyone loved it.
It’s definitely a cake for the repeat playlist!!!
Alana
How much batter do you think I will need for a full 9x13x2?
Sam
Hi Alana! This recipe, as is, will fit in a 9 x 13. ๐
Ali
Hi, I have baked this cake a few times and it is always a winner.
However, I am finding the the layers are shrinking considerably as soon as I open the oven door.
They are lovely and done and touching the side if the pan. when I open the oven door. even after full baking time they think considerably away from the side of the tin.
is this just the nature of this sponge? or do I need to do something a little different?
thank you
Sam
Hi Ali! Some shrinking is normal, but it’s not going to be really major. Is it really cold in your kitchen? Is it possible the egg whites were slightly over-mixed in the batter?
Noa
Hi, I made this cake for my momโs birthday and it was delicious as well as beautiful! However, it came out too sweet even tho I added the right amounts of sugar the recipe called for. And also the cream cheese frosting wasnโt fluffy no matter how much I mixed it. What could I have done wrong with the sugars and cream cheese? I would love your reply! Thanks!
Sam
Hi Noa! Did you watch the video on making the cream cheese frosting? That may help. If you over-mix it too much you could potentially deflate it.
Noa
Hi, Yes Iโve watched the video but I guess Iโve done something wrong cause the frosting came out flat from the very beginning. I would love your reply on the sugars measurementsโบ๏ธ
Sam
Hmmm I’m not sure what you mean. You will need 5 1/4 cups (655g) of powdered sugar. This does make a lot of frosting so you need lots of sugar. ๐
Jessica
Iโm planning on making this for my sonโs birthday. If I chose to do a 9×13 sheet pan instead. Does this change how long to keep the cake in the oven? Approximately how many people does it feed? Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Jessica! This recipe will work in a 9ร13 pan, but we arenโt sure on a bake time. The number of servings will be more than what is listed here depending on how big you cut the slices, likely closer to 20-25. Enjoy!
evelyn
hello๏ผ my oven is small and i canโt put in 2 or 3 pans, any issue if i used only 1 pan for all, i will increase time and check with toothpick, does that work ?
Sam
Hi Evelyn! You will need a really deep pan to hold all of the batter. You should be fine to bake the layers one at a time. ๐
Michelle M Rouse
I made this and I felt as though it tasted a bit like flour. It was definitely cooked, I think even more so than I wanted. The color was a bit darker than yours and the toothpick was completely clean. I made 3 8″ rounds with regular flour. I’m wondering if this is just how the cake tastes or if perhaps I made a mistake somewhere. It looks and tastes great and my husband swears he can’t taste flour I’m wondering your thoughts on this.
Sam
I’m so sorry to hear this happened, Michelle! It sounds like it could have potentially been over-baked. If your toothpick comes out completely clean they may have gone too long. I typically look for a few moist crumbs on the toothpick.
Sharon
Hi Sam, Happy Holidays! I made your oreo cookie cake for my Mom for a pre-holiday get together and it came out amazing!!!; this is my second receipe from your website (first was the “To Die For” Apple pie cheesecake…OMG!). I used 3-9 inch pans and baked for 25-30 minutes. When I assembled the cake and added the decorative dollops on the top (with my new cake decorating kit), I mistakenly added too much oreo cookie crumb so it was not as speckled as hoped but still tasted delicious. And I noticed the cream cheese frosting had gotten a tad bit soft and so my dollops did not stand up. So lession learned, when I make again, I will refrigerate before application. My cake did not have as much height as yours but it was still moist and tender. Since I had extra oreo crumb, I embelished the sides to be mostly cookie crumb. It looked very pretty and festive. Once again a win win!!!!!…I love your recipes and will most certainly let you know about my next adventure for another culinary delight!!!
Sharon
Hi Sam, can you advise how to adjust the oven temperature and baking time if I use 3-9″ pans? I’d prefer to use what I have instead of buying more pans right now. BTW, I’m planning on using cake flour instead of all purpose flour.
Sam
Hi Sharon! Your oven temperature will remain the same. I don’t know exactly how long to bake it, but I would check it several minutes earlier. ๐
JC
I made this cake for my grandson’s birthday. It was absolutely delicious and it looked very nice. I was able to get (3) 9″ layers. He was very happy! I highly recommend this recipe. Thank you for publishing your recipes!
cook-ad
Thanks – I did it