Introducing the Monthly Gooey Butter Cake Bakealong!

I’m kicking off a brand-new series that will keep going as long as the excitement lasts! Each month, I’ll be unveiling a brand-new gooey butter cake flavor, and I want YOU to bake along with me.

If you make the recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram or email a photo to taryn@lifeandsprinkles.com—or drop a comment on this post. Every month, I’ll choose one lucky baker to receive a surprise!

To kick things off, this month’s flavor is Cookie Monster Cravings Gooey Butter Cake—and trust me, it’s unbelievable. If you’re anything like Cookie Monster (or me!), cookies are a must, and this cake delivers big time.

It starts with a soft, chocolate chip cookie-inspired base, followed by a gooey blue layer packed with crushed chocolate chip cookies and mini chocolate chips. The grand finale? A topping of crushed Oreos and even more cookies. Cookie Monster himself would flip for this one!

Want to stay in the loop for future flavors? Subscribe to my emails so you never miss a bakealong challenge!

Cookie Monster Cravings Gooey Butter Cake – Bakealong Cake #1!

Gooey butter cakes are one of my favorite desserts to make—and share! They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for two big reasons. First, they’re perfect as-is—no frosting needed. For those who prefer their sweets without extra layers, this is the ideal dessert. But if you love a little something extra, they’re also a blank canvas for fun toppings. Second, they’re incredibly easy to theme without needing cake decorating skills. It’s all about bold flavors, and I love getting creative with them.

That’s why I’m beyond excited to launch this monthly Gooey Butter Cake Bakealong—where I’ll create a brand-new flavor each month! And to kick things off, I had to go with a true icon… Cookie Monster!

Why This One is Extra Special

Cookie Monster is one of those characters that everyone loves—he’s funny, a bit sarcastic, always trendy, and of course, his cookie obsession is totally relatable. The combination of chocolate chip cookies and Oreos in this gooey butter cake is absolute perfection. Plus visually, this cake just LOOKS fun!

The base is made with yellow cake mix, which adds a rich, buttery warmth, kind of like a chocolate chip cookie. Then comes the gooey layer—packed with mini chocolate chips and crushed Chips Ahoy cookies. Of course, I had to tint it bright blue for the full Cookie Monster effect. When it bakes, the color does get darker, but when you cut them into bars, each bar has that perfect cookie monster color.

For the final touch, I topped them with even more crushed cookies—Oreos and Chips Ahoy—before baking. 

How to Serve

These bars are incredible warm or at room temperature, but I highly recommend refrigerating them overnight before slicing. Trust me, the texture is out of this world—extra chewy, extra gooey, and downright addictive.

Want a few add-on ideas? Try serving them with:
🍪 Whipped cream and crushed Oreos
🍪 A drizzle of chocolate or hot fudge
🍪 A scoop of cookie dough ice cream (because Cookie Monster says more cookies)

FAQ: Your Gooey Butter Cake Questions Answered!

❓Can I use a different cake mix?
Yes! While I love the warmth of yellow cake mix, you can swap in white or even chocolate cake mix for a different twist.

❓ Does the blue color bake out?
It darkens slightly, but when you cut into the bars, you’ll still get that fun Cookie Monster blue!

❓Can I freeze these?
Absolutely! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. They’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer.

❓How do I participate in the bakealong?
Make the recipe, snap a photo, and tag me on Instagram or email it to taryn@lifeandsprinkles.com. I’ll be choosing one lucky baker each month for a fun surprise!

Cookie Monster Cravings Gooey Butter Cake

Print Recipe

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust Layer:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Gooey Layer:

• 1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate chip cookies, like Chips Ahoy (about 6 cookies)
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• Blue food coloring

Topping:

• 1/2 cup crushed Oreos (about 6 cookies)
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate chip cookies, like Chips Ahoy (about 6 cookies)

 

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with baking spray and line it with parchment paper. The bars will be easier to pull out!
2. In a medium bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, and egg until well combined.
3. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
4. Press the mixture evenly to the base of the pan. It can be a bit tricky, but there’s definitely enough for the whole crust layer!
5. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
6. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
7. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, and mix until smooth.
8. Add the food coloring to the desired shade of blue and mix until you don’t see any color streaks. Fold in the crushed cookies and mini chocolate chips.
9. Pour the gooey mixture over the crust and spread it evenly.
10. Sprinkle the crushed Oreos and chocolate chip cookies on top.
11. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The center should still be slightly jiggly (this helps it stay gooey) but set around the edges.
12. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.
13. I love to refrigerate mine overnight because it gives it the BEST texture! When you’re ready to eat it, slices into squares or rectangles and serve.

What Flavor Should I Make Next?

I want to hear from you! What gooey butter cake flavor should I create next? Drop a comment with your ideas!

Subscribe to my emails so you don’t miss the next flavor reveal… it’s going to blow your mind!