If you have a sweet tooth and a love for both cheesecake and cookie dough, you are absolutely going to adore this Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe. Imagine tender layers of buttery cookie dough baked with creamy, dreamy cheesecake filling nestled between each bite, all drizzled with a cinnamon-brown sugar glaze that takes every mouthful to pure indulgence. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s an experience—fun to make, exciting to pull apart, and utterly delicious to devour. Whether you’re treating yourself or impressing your friends, this recipe is a celebration of flavor and texture that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making this Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe requires simple ingredients, yet each one plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of rich, creamy, and soft textures. These basics work together to bring out the sweetness, warmth, and irresistible gooeyness you crave in a crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Unsalted butter: Softened to create a smooth, buttery cookie dough base that’s tender and flavorful.
- Brown sugar: Adds deep molasses notes and moisture essential for chewy cookie dough.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the natural sweetness and ties the flavors of cookie dough and cheesecake together beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie dough, providing structure without overpowering softness.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookie dough rise slightly, giving a delicate texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate and vanilla flavors.
- Mini chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate throughout that add extra decadence.
- Cream cheese: The superstar of the cheesecake filling, delivering smoothness and tang.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling without any graininess.
- Egg: Binds the cheesecake filling ingredients and adds creaminess.
- Melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon: Combined to make the topping glaze that crowns the cake with warm sweetness.
How to Make Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan thoroughly; this ensures your cake will come out easily and every piece pulls apart without a hitch.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy and light. Add the vanilla extract, giving it another good mix to infuse the flavor. Gradually stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt until the dough forms. Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips for those delightful pockets of melty chocolate in each bite. Set this luscious dough aside while you move to the cheesecake filling.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Filling
Using a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until perfectly smooth and creamy. Add in the vanilla extract, egg, and a tablespoon of flour to build the perfect cheesecake texture. Blend everything until it’s fully combined and silky smooth—this is what will make your pull-apart cake downright irresistible.
Step 4: Assemble Your Cake Layers
Take spoonfuls of your cookie dough and flatten them gently into small discs. Start layering these cookie dough discs into your prepared pan, alternating with generous spoonfuls of cheesecake filling placed between layers. Keep repeating this beautiful layering until the pan is full—each layer promises a perfect harmony of cookie and cheesecake in every bite.
Step 5: Prepare and Add the Topping
Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a small bowl to create the topping glaze. Drizzle this heavenly mixture evenly over the assembled cake for that extra layer of flavor and caramelized goodness once baked.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cake for 40 to 45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and that glorious aroma filling your kitchen. To test doneness, insert a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean. If you notice the top browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil and continue baking for a perfect bake without burning.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your pull-apart cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes once out of the oven. This resting time helps the layers set just right so that when you start pulling it apart, each piece is wonderfully gooey with cheesecake and melts in your mouth. Now you’re ready to enjoy every scrumptious bite of this masterpiece.
How to Serve Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe, consider garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce. Fresh berries can add a bright, tangy contrast, refreshing the palate and making every serving feel like a special treat.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the rich layers. For a cozy twist, serve alongside a cup of hot coffee or chai tea, whose spices blend effortlessly with the cake’s cinnamon topping.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, serve this pull-apart cake family-style in its pan, encouraging everyone to dig in together. Alternatively, plate individual portions garnished with extra cookie dough crumbles and a spoonful of cheesecake filling on the side, turning this casual dessert into something elegant for a dinner party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, no worries—the Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe stores well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. After that, it’s best kept refrigerated to maintain freshness and texture.
Freezing
This cake freezes wonderfully, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to three months, ready to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Warm up leftover slices in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F) for 10 minutes. This revives the soft cookie dough and melty cheesecake filling, almost as if it just came out of the oven fresh.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cookie dough for this recipe?
While homemade cookie dough provides the best texture and flavor control, store-bought cookie dough can work in a pinch. Just be sure it’s a comparable flavor and adjust the layering carefully.
Is this cake suitable for freezing before baking?
It’s best to bake the cake first and then freeze leftovers. Freezing the unbaked assembled cake may affect how the cookie dough and cheesecake layers bake together.
Can I substitute regular chocolate chips for mini chocolate chips?
You absolutely can! Regular chocolate chips will work fine; just chop them into smaller pieces if you want a similar melt-and-distribute effect as mini chips.
How can I tell when the cake is fully baked?
The top should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean. If the top browns quickly, tent it with foil and continue baking until done.
Is this recipe adaptable for dietary restrictions?
You can try substituting gluten-free flour blends for all-purpose flour and use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives, but results may vary. Experimenting can lead to a deliciously tailored version!
Final Thoughts
This Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe is truly a celebration of joyful baking, combining two beloved desserts into one unforgettable treat. It’s perfect for sharing, exciting to make, and simply irresistible to eat. Don’t wait to try it—you’ll be amazed at how this deliciously gooey cake brings smiles around any table!
Print
Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cheesecake Cookie Dough Pull-Apart Cake is a delightful dessert combining the rich flavors of soft chocolate chip cookie dough layered with a creamy cheesecake filling. Baked to perfection with a buttery cinnamon sugar topping, this pull-apart cake offers gooey, indulgent bites perfect for sharing and celebrating special occasions.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the cookie dough. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract, then gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Prepare the cheesecake filling. In a separate bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla extract, egg, and flour, and beat until fully combined and creamy.
- Assemble the cake. Flatten spoonfuls of cookie dough into discs and layer them into the prepared pan, alternating with spoonfuls of cheesecake filling. Continue layering until the pan is filled.
- Prepare the topping. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the assembled cake layers in the pan.
- Bake the cake. Bake the cake for 40 to 45 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If browning occurs too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking.
- Cool and serve. Let the cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes to set slightly. Then pull apart into pieces and enjoy the rich, gooey combination of cookie dough and cheesecake.
Notes
- Use softened butter and cream cheese for smooth mixing.
- Do not overbake to maintain gooey texture.
- Cover with foil mid-bake if top browns too fast.
- Serve warm for best texture and flavor experience.
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier blending.
