Chocolate Brownie Cake with Cookie Dough Filling

I made this cake for a family friend’s birthday, Uncle V J. It was meant to be a surprise as he didn't know we were doing this for him. It was fun conspiring with his kids and sneaking into the house to decorate it while Aunty lured him away from the house saying she needed to get some fresh air! 

I’m not sure why I chose this cake. I wanted to try something different and I've never had a brownie cake with cookie dough filling before. And now that I've tried it, I’m not entirely sure I’d make it again. No fault of the cake though. The cake was perfect just as the recipe said it would be. The cake layers were typical brownies – chewy, chocolaty and moist. Not sure what else I’d expected from a brownie cake. Duh!

It was Yum, don’t get me wrong, but I think it was just personal preference. Everyone else thought the cake was nice (or they were being really polite!!! JJJ) but I think I prefer my cakes to be light, moist and definitely not chewy. So as you’d have guessed by now, I’m not a huge fan of brownies or fudge.

Then why the heck did I make this cake, you ask? Beats me!!!!! This just looked so decadent in the photos at Lemon Sugar, I just couldn't resist.

The cake is rich, dense and prefect for the chocolate lover. It might be even more awesome with some whipped cream or even some French vanilla ice cream. As far as layer cakes go, this has to be the easiest cake to make. Just bake the brownie layers, make the filling and pour over the ganache. Tada!!!! JJ

Don’t let me put you off this cake, it is really decadent and yummy, just not my absolute favorite cake. You should have a go and tell me what you think. You never know I could be totally wrong and this could be “The” cake from Heaven for you! JJ

I followed Lemon Sugar’s recipe for the cake and filling but slightly adapted the ganache recipe as I didn't have any corn syrup on hand and couldn't be bothered going to the supermarket at 11pm at night. I think that might be why my ganache didn't turn out as glossy as hers. You can check out the original recipe here.

Chocolate Brownie Cake with Cookie Dough Filling

Recipe Source: Lemon Sugar

Ingredients

Brownie Cake:

1 and 1/2 cups vegetable oil

3 cups sugar

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

6 eggs

1 and 1/2 cups flour

1 cup cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Cookie Dough Filling:

3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

3 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons milk

2 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Ganache Frosting:

1/4 cup + 2tblsp heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup Chocolate chips

Extra chocolate chips, for garnish

Method:

Brownies:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees (F).
2. Prepare three 8-inch round baking pans with cooking spray and parchment.
3. In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Stir with a large wooden spoon until completely combined.
4. Add eggs one at a time, stirring and incorporating each completely before adding another.
5. Add vanilla, stir to combine.
6. In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder.) Whisk to combine.
7. Add dry ingredients a little bit at a time, stirring until just absorbed each time. I added mine in 3 batches. Do not over-mix, just stir until dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
8. Pour batter evenly into three prepared pans.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with wet crumbs.
10. Cool completely, then remove from pans and set aside.
11. Prepare filling.

Cookie Dough Filling:

12. In a large bowl (I used my stand mixer) beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
13. Add confectioners' sugar, and beat to combine.
14. Add flour and sugar, beat until combined.
15. Add milk and vanilla, beat until light and fully.

Ganache Frosting:

16. Heat the whipping/heavy cream till small bubbles start appearing around the edges. Turn off the heat. Pour chocolate chips into the cream.
17. Allow to sit for 30 seconds, and then slowly stir with a rubber spatula until cream and chocolate fully combine, and chocolate melts completely.
18. Stir in vanilla, and again stir until completely combined. Set aside while you assemble the cake.

Assembly:

19. Place one layer of brownie cake on your serving platter. Spoon about 1 cup of frosting over the top of the cooled cake, and spread just to the edge of the cake.
20. Place another layer on top of the first. Press down slightly to secure.
21. Spoon another 1 cup of frosting over the top of the layer, and spread just to the edges of the cake.
22. Spoon remaining frosting into a piping bag with a star tip for decorating.
23. Place top layer of cake over the frosting. Press down slightly to secure.
24. Place cake in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
25. Remove chilled cake from refrigerator. Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of ganache over the top of the cake, and using an offset spatula, slowly spread it to the sides of the cake, just barely pushing it over the edge. Add more ganache until you reach your desired coverage.
26. Place cake back in refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow ganache to firm up.
27. Pipe decorations around cake, sprinkle with chocolate chips and drizzle with leftover ganache.
28. Enjoy!