Hi Friends! It’s RecipeGirl here… RecipeBoy’s Mom. Brooks had a birthday last weekend- his 15th birthday! And as is tradition around here, I’m guest posting with a cake recipe to celebrate his birthday. His choice this year: Cookies and Cream Cake
I chose this cake from a cookbook called, Make it with a Cake Mix by Lizzy Early. The cookbook has a selection of desserts that use cake mix as a base. This cake is a doctored-up cake mix turned into a fancy two-layer cake with an Oreo frosting. Brooks was having a few friends over for his birthday, and I knew they’d all love this cake!
Here’s a series of photos showing you how I assembled the cake. I like to lay pieces of waxed paper under the sides of the cake… it makes frosting the cake (and the platter) much cleaner.
Here’s a little interview I did with Brooks for his birthday:
What’s the best thing about turning 15?
Almost being able to get my driving permit!!
What are your top 3 college choices?
Harvard, Notre Dame and Northeastern
What do you think you’ll major in?
Business
What do you want to be when you grow up?
An entrepreneur
What’s your favorite place to vacation?
Hawaii
Where would you like to travel?
Europe
What do you like to do in your free time?
Play lacrosse
What is your favorite band/singer?
Drake
What is your favorite TV show?
Walking Dead
What’s your favorite thing to have for dinner?
Steak or Ribs
And the verdict on the cake? Brooks and his buddies all enjoyed it very much (and Mom and Dad too!) It was especially good served with ice cream. It’s hard to believe that Brooks is 15 already… he got this food blog 5 years ago on his 10th birthday!!!

Cookies and Cream Cake
Ingredients
CAKE:
- 1 box devil's food cake mix
- one 3.4 to 3.9-ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
FROSTING:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
- 16 ounces (2 packages) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ cups crushed Oreos
DECORATION:
- crushed Oreos and whole Oreos
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. If you are able to line the bottoms of the round pans with parchment paper, it will be easier to remove the cakes from the pans. Also, if you want nice, flat layers, attach cake strips to the pans. (They can be found at craft stores like Michael's or on Amazon.)
- Sift the cake and pudding mixes into a medium bowl; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, sour cream and vanilla extract. Stir in the dry ingredients.
- Divide the batter between the two pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely, then slide a knife around the edge of the pan and turn it over onto a rack. Tap your knife around the center of the bottom of the pan if it isn't coming out easily (to loosen it up). Repeat with the 2nd cake.
- To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter and cream cheese. Add the vanilla extract and milk; gradually add powdered sugar until frosting reaches a desired spreading consistency. Place about ⅓ of the frosting into a small bowl with 1½ cups of the crushed Oreos and fold until combined. This will be the frosting you use between the layers.
- To assemble the cake: Place one layer on a cake platter, spread the Oreo frosting on top of the cake, then place the 2nd layer on top of the frosting. Cover the entire cake with cream cheese frosting that has not been mixed with the cookies. Decorate with crushed cookies on the sides and whole cookies on top. I had a little bit of frosting left over... so I mixed it with some very finely crushed Oreos and piped it on for decoration on top.
anna
Thursday 4th of June 2020
What height in inches did these 2 layers of sponge come out the tin as before putting together?
recipeboy
Wednesday 10th of June 2020
1 1/2 to 2 inches, I suppose.
Liza
Tuesday 21st of April 2020
I have a question: I made the cake in 9 in pans. So I think I need to make another one but I only have white cake. I don’t have any pudding. Can I add the sour cream, oil and vanilla w/o the pudding?
recipeboy
Wednesday 22nd of April 2020
I haven't made it that way, so I'm not sure!
Liza S. Paul
Wednesday 15th of April 2020
I’m making the cake next week for my sons 12th birthday. Looked at several recipes you won!
recipeboy
Thursday 16th of April 2020
oh good!!
Tanya
Saturday 28th of May 2016
Wow, already 15. I've been following your blog almost since the beginning ;) The cake looks amazing. Happy birthday Brooks. All the best :) Oh, I can be your companion when you come to Europe - we can travel together (I'm from middle Europe) :))
Joanne & Jack
Wednesday 25th of May 2016
Happy Birthday Brooks! See you soon in Green Harbor! xo:). Sending love...