Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies (Thick, Soft & Frosted)

If you’ve ever tried making Crumbl chocolate cake cookies at home and ended up with flat, dry little hockey pucks… oh, I’ve been there. The first time I tested these, they spread everywhere and tasted more like brownies than that thick, soft bakery cookie we’re craving.

Close-up view of a thick chocolate cake cookie topped with a large swirl of smooth chocolate frosting, with additional frosted cookies softly blurred in the background.

So I went back to the mixing bowl and figured out what actually makes them stay tall, soft, and rich. This recipe gives you that deep chocolate flavor and fluffy, cake-like center, plus that swoop of creamy frosting on top without any fancy tricks. Just simple steps, a couple of smart tweaks, and I’ll walk you through it the whole way.

Why These Chocolate Cake Cookies Turn Out Thick, Soft & Bakery-Style

  • Store-bought Crumbl cookies are big and fun, but they’re pricey, extra sweet, and sometimes inconsistent. This homemade version lets you control the flavor, sweetness, and texture.
  • These cookies are meant to be thick, soft, and cake-like, not flat or chewy like a typical chocolate chip cookie.
  • A simple shaping trick before baking helps them stay tall and bakery-style instead of spreading into thin discs.
  • That generous chocolate frosting on top? You can swirl it high or keep it simple, and homemade tastes fresher, richer, and even better the next day.

Ingredients

Overhead flat lay of ingredients for Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies, including butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, corn syrup, cream cheese, powdered sugar, baking soda, salt, cornstarch, and vanilla arranged in glass bowls on a white marble surface.

For the Cookies

  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Eggs
  • Corn syrup
  • Vanilla
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Cornstarch
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Frosting

  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Cream cheese, softened
  • Cocoa powder
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla

Step-by-Step Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside so your dough is ready to scoop straight onto the pans.

Step 2: In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy. This step helps create that soft, cake-like texture.

Step 3: Mix in the vanilla, eggs, and corn syrup until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl to make sure everything is evenly blended.

Step 4: Add the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Mix until a thick dough forms, scraping the sides as needed.

Overhead view of a stand mixer bowl with flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt added on top of a creamed butter and sugar mixture, preparing chocolate cookie dough on a white marble countertop.

Step 5: Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips just until evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and sturdy.

Overhead view of thick chocolate cookie dough mixed with chocolate chips inside a stand mixer bowl, showing the proper texture before scooping for Crumbl-style chocolate cake cookies.

Step 6: Use a large ice cream scoop to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten the tops slightly to help them bake evenly.

Step 7: Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the centers are set. Let the cookies cool completely before frosting.

Overhead view of large scoops of chocolate cookie dough spaced evenly on parchment paper, ready to bake into thick desserts.
Overhead view of freshly baked thick chocolate cake cookies cooling on a wire rack, showing crackled tops and soft centers on a white marble countertop.

Frosting Instructions

Step 8: Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Make sure there are no lumps.

Step 9: Mix in the cocoa powder, vanilla, and half of the powdered sugar on low speed. Add the remaining powdered sugar, then increase to medium and whip for about 1 minute until fluffy.

Step 10: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Once the cookies are cool, pipe a spiral of frosting on top of each one.

Overhead view of a stand mixer bowl filled with smooth, whipped chocolate cream cheese frosting being mixed on a white marble countertop.
Overhead view of thick chocolate cake cookies topped with large swirls of smooth chocolate frosting arranged on a cooling rack, showing bakery-style texture and rich chocolate color.

Troubleshooting Thick & Soft Chocolate Cake Cookies

  • Cookies too sweet? Add a small pinch of extra salt to the dough next time or sprinkle flaky salt on top before serving to balance the sweetness.
  • Cookies didn’t rise much? Check that your baking soda is fresh. If it’s been open for a while, it may not give the proper lift.
  • Frosting too rich for your taste? Add a teaspoon or two of milk and a tiny pinch of salt to lighten the texture and balance the flavor.
  • Cookies baking unevenly? Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking, especially if your oven has hot spots.
Close-up of a thick chocolate cake cookie cut in half to show its soft, cake-like center and rich chocolate frosting swirl on top, with additional frosted cookies in the background.

Storage + Freezing Tips

  • Room Temperature: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen runs warm, refrigerate so the cream cheese frosting stays firm.
  • Refrigerator: Place cookies in a single layer (or separate layers with parchment) in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving so they soften back up.
  • Freezing Unfrosted Cookies: Cool completely, then freeze in a single layer until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost fresh.
  • Freezing Frosted Cookies: Freeze the cookies uncovered until the frosting firms up, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a couple of hours.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: You can also freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Freeze solid on a tray, transfer to a freezer bag, and bake from frozen — just add 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.

Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies Recipe FAQs

Yes. You can cover the dough tightly and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes so it’s easier to scoop.

Absolutely. A large mixing bowl and a sturdy hand mixer will work just fine. If mixing by hand, make sure your butter is very soft and mix thoroughly so everything is fully incorporated.

Yes — just use a medium cookie scoop and reduce the bake time by 1–2 minutes. Keep an eye on the centers so they don’t overbake.

You can stir in 1–2 teaspoons of espresso powder with the dry ingredients. It won’t make the cookies taste like coffee — it simply enhances the chocolate.

Make sure the cookies are completely cool before piping. If the frosting feels too soft, chill it for 10–15 minutes before transferring to the piping bag.

Overhead view of thick chocolate cake cookies topped with large swirls of chocolate frosting arranged on white plates with small glass bottles of milk and chocolate chips nearby.
Print
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Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Cake Cookies


Description

Thick, soft chocolate cake cookies topped with rich chocolate cream cheese frosting — just like Crumbl, but even better fresh from your own oven.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 cup corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Frosting

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a stand mixer, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about 2 minutes until smooth.
  3. Add vanilla, eggs, and corn syrup. Mix until fully combined.
  4. Add cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. Mix until a thick dough forms.
  5. Fold in chocolate chips.
  6. Scoop dough using a large ice cream scoop and place on prepared baking sheets. Slightly flatten tops.
  7. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until centers are set. Cool completely.
  8. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.
  9. Add cocoa powder, vanilla, and half of the powdered sugar. Mix on low until combined.
  10. Add remaining powdered sugar. Mix on low, then increase speed and whip for 1 minute until fluffy.
  11. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe a spiral onto cooled cookies.

Notes

  • Store in an airtight container up to 3 days (refrigerate if kitchen is warm).
  • Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 48 hours.
  • For smaller cookies, reduce bake time by 1–2 minutes.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 620 kcal
  • Sugar: 60 g
  • Sodium: 310 mg
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Carbohydrates: 80 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 105 mg

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