Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies – Soft cookies with a great dark chocolate flavor, frosted in a cake batter flavored frosting and topped with sprinkles for a fun birthday theme!
Happy Birthday to me… (well almost, next week!) I love celebrating my birthday and I take up every second that I can, so in my house, we really do celebrate all month long. I am celebrating early by making these Chocolate Birthday Cookies!
These cookies are a great option for a great special occasion. Whether it be a birthday party or the celebration of another long work week with kids and/or nagging coworkers, these cookies are sure to bring a party from a 6/10 to a 10/10 in no time flat. You will go crazy over the dark chocolate cookies mixed with the sweetness of the cake batter frosting. And any kid will love them because they have sprinkles. Kids are not complex beings. You are going to love my take on a classic sugar cookie with more complex flavors, but never sacrificing the sweetness we crave during our birthday month!
So what are you waiting for? It time for birthday celebrations, so go grab your paddle attachment and rubber spatula and get ready to bake these amazing Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies.
Happy Baking! 🙂
Need some more recipe inspo! Here are some
Why I Love This Recipe
Here are my top three reasons why I love these Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies- Chocolate Sugar Cookies are so underrated. Especially when you use the indulgent tastes of chocolate cake to help elevate the flavor profile.
- Rainbow Sprinkles- You already know. Rainbow Sprinkles are the GREATEST. Colorful sprinkles are so fun and nostalgic!
- Texture- These bad boys are dense and rich. Just like my dream man. But for real. They are soft and thick with a smooth and buttery cake batter frosting. Instant hit.
- Not Your Average Cookie– I sometimes get sick of the infinite number of chocolate chip cookie recipe that I see. Sometimes its fun to mix it up!
- Better than Swig Cookie- If you don’t know who Swig is, it is a famous soda and cookie shop in Utah that sells a giant cookie with frosting on top. Their’s are good, but mine are better.
Pantry Essentials
This is NOT the full recipe description. These are just some pantry essentials! For a full list, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page!
- Cocoa Powder- My favorite brand is King Arthur. They have such a high quality cocoa powder that is so so so good.
- All-Purpose Flour- I go through so much flour it is insane.
- Vanilla Extract- My favorite brand is Nielsen-Massey vanilla!
- Unsalted butter- Embrace your inner control freak and buy unsalted butter so everything can be salted perfectly to your preference.
- Large Egg- Make sure they are room temperature!
Step By Step – Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies
Next, here is a condensed step by step on how to make these Chocolate Birthday Cookies! For a full list of instruction, check out the recipe card below!
- Preheat your oven to 350 F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream softened½ cup butter and granulated sugar until creamy.
- Mix in a large egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients, like all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Use a medium bowl to mix and shape the dough.
- Use a cookie scoop to form dough balls.
- Roll two dough balls together to create larger cookie balls.
- Before placing the cookie dough on the lined baking sheet, be sure to preheat the oven to the specified temperature.
- Flatten gently and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
- For the frosting: In the a separate bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- With a rubber spatula, fold in rainbow sprinkles.
- Once cooled, generously frost cookies with cream cheese frosting.
- Decorate with extra rainbow sprinkles.
Baking Tips For Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies
I have complied all my favorite tricks and tips for making these Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies! If you have any questions or comments, let me know in the comment section at the end of the recipe card!
- Make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are all at room temperature. It helps them mix better and gives your cookies that perfect chewy texture.
- When it comes to flour and cocoa powder, don’t just scoop straight from the bag. Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup and then level it off. And if you can, get yourself a kitchen scale for extra precision.
- You know how they say less is more? Well, that’s true when it comes to mixing your dough and frosting. Just mix until everything’s combined—no need to go overboard.
- If your dough feels too soft to handle, don’t stress. Just pop it in the fridge for a bit before shaping. It’ll help your cookies keep their shape in the oven.
- We all want our cookies to be the same size, right? That’s where a trusty cookie scoop comes in handy. And when you’re rolling them, try to make them as flat as each other for even baking.
- Patience is key here. Let your cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them to a cooling rack. It helps them set and avoids any crumbly disasters.
- Want thicker frosting? Add more powdered sugar. Need it thinner? A splash of milk should do the trick. Just tweak it until it’s just right for spreading or piping.
- Have fun with decorating! Whether you’re piping frosting or sprinkling on some extra sprinkles!
What I Used To Make This Recipe
- Mixer (Stand or Hand)
- Mixing Bowls (Large and Medium)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cookie Scoop
- Baking Sheet
- Cooling Rack
- Plastic, Piping, Pastry Bag
- Rubber Spatula
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch-processed cocoa powder?
its smoother flavor, you can use natural cocoa powder if that’s what you have on hand. Just note that it may slightly alter the taste and texture of the cookies. While Dutch-processed cocoa powder is recommended for
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Absolutely! The frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just let it come to room temperature and give it a good stir before frosting the cookies.
My cookies turned out too soft or too crispy. What did I do wrong?
The texture of the cookies can vary based on factors like oven temperature, baking time, and dough consistency. Make sure to follow the recipe instructions closely and adjust as needed based on your oven and personal preferences.
Can I substitute the cake batter extract with vanilla extract?
Yes, you can use vanilla extract instead of cake batter extract in the frosting. It will give a different flavor profile but will still be delicious.
Can I make these into smaller cookies?
Yes! These make 6 tablespoon size (crumbl size) you can just half the recipe and get 12 cookies instead of 6!
Storing And Freezing
To store these FrostedChocolate Birthday Cookies, place them in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness. Before serving, allow the cookies to come to room temperature to maximize their flavor and texture.
Freezing – Chocolate Birthday Cookies
To freeze these Chocolate Birthday Cookies, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store the cookies in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the cookies in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
For more fun birthday related recipes, here are some you should try
- Easy Birthday Brookies Recipe (Brownie + Cookie)
- Best Golden Oreo Birthday Cake
- Very Easy Birthday Cake Truffle Bites
Remember LEAVE A 5 STAR EVIEW AND A COMMENT if you love the recipe or any questions. Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. I post so many fun things on all platforms!
Recipe
Frosted Chocolate Birthday Cookies
Ingredients
For The Chocolate Cookie
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg slightly chilled
- 1 egg yolk cold slightly chilled
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 & ½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- ½ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder King Arthur recommended
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Cookies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or using an electric hand mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and creamy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Add the egg, mix on medium speed for 20 seconds, then add the egg yolk. Scrape down the sides, add vanilla extract, and mix on low until combined.
- Add in the flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low just until the dry mixture disappears. Do not over mix.
- Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop to form 12 cookie dough balls. Take two of the dough balls and roll them together into one big cookie ball. You should end up with 6 large cookies. Place them on the prepared baking sheets and gently flatten to about a little over ½ inch in thickness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
For cream cheese frosting
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and cream cheese. Cream on medium speed for about two minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat again for 2 more minutes.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar, followed by the, cake batter extract, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low just until mixed. Then turn the mixer to medium high speed and beat the mixture for 2-3 minutes.
- With a rubber spatula, fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, and no longer warm, frost the cookies.
- With a plastic bag or a piping bag, cut a medium size hole and frost the top of the cookie and decorate with extra sprinkles.
Jeremey Albion says
I love making these for my friends!