Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13 x 9 pan with baking spray.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, egg whites, milk, oil, sour cream, vanilla, and vanilla bean paste if using. Mix until smooth.
Bake according to package directions until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt until light and fluffy.
Frost the cooled cake generously.
Place whole apple pie cookies all around the border of the cake. Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and flaky salt.