Funfetti Stuffed Chocolate M&M Cookie Cake

This double chocolate M&M cookie cake has a surprise in the middle – a Funfetti truffle layer! Top with Funfetti frosting and this cookie cake is perfect for any celebration.

I graduated with my PhD in microbiology almost 6 months ago and still have yet to solidify a big-person job. Although this fact is quite unsettling, I have to admit that time off from the real world has been incredibly nice especially after all that hard work. I’ve spent a lot of time with my dad and step mom, been able to travel around a bit to see family and friends, and can pretty much bake/cook, workout/hike/kayak/play pickleball or tennis whenever I want. There’s so much to do with all the events and activities in the village and then the Smoky Mountains are just an hour away.

To help pay the bills however (such as student loans and storage for all my stuff still in Memphis) I did pick up a part-time job working at the gym in town. I check people in, sell memberships, answer questions, and tidy up the place. It’s kind of related to microbiology – I’m killing a bunch of germs on all that equipment! Not quite what a PhD is useful for but at least it’s something in the meantime. The best part is that 99% of the patrons are incredibly friendly. People here seem genuinely happy and I can only hope that not only a place this this village will exist when it’s time for me to retire (it’s never too early to plan for retirement right?) but that I will also still be as active and happy as they are here.

However none of that has anything to do with this cookie cake, other than the fact that it has the potential to smack a smile on your face and celebrate life. This double chocolate M&M cookie cake isn’t just any old cookie cake, it also has a Funfetti truffle layer in the middle and Funfetti frosting. You guys know how much I love stuffing cake batter/cake balls into everything in sight and this cookie cake is no exception (and reminiscent of my chocolate funfetti cookie stack cake). I love how well the bright M&Ms and sprinkles contrast with the rich chocolate color. You don’t need a special occasion to make this cookie cake but it certainly would be a great birthday cookie cake! (It does happen to be my good friend Becky’s birthday today!)

Bring your favorite chocolate dessert to Roxana’s home baking #chocolateparty and win amazing prizes from Imperial Sugar®, Gold Medal Flour®, Safest Choice™ Pasteurized Eggs and KitchenAid®

One year ago: Everything Bagel Bites with Bacon-Scallion Cream Cheese Dip

Three years ago: Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

FUNFETTI STUFFED CHOCOLATE M&M COOKIE CAKE

Serves 12

Ingredients:

COOKIE CAKE

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1 egg

1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup M&Ms

FUNFETTI TRUFFLE LAYER

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup dry Funfetti cake mix (or white cake mix & 2 Tbsp sprinkles)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp salt

3-4 Tbsp milk

FROSTING

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

4 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup dry Funfetti cake mix (or white cake mix & 2 Tbsp sprinkles) (heat treated*)

Sprinkles, for decoration

Directions:

1. For the cookie cake: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat melted butter and sugar together until creamy, about 3-4 minutes. Mix in egg and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and M&MS. Dough will be thick and sticky.
3. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
4. For the truffle layer: In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add cake mix, flour, salt, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Add 3 tablespoons of milk or more if needed to make a dough consistency. Roll dough into a 10-inch round disk.
5. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place parchment paper in the bottom of an 10-inch springform pan. Grease the sides.
7. Spread half of the cookie dough out into the pan. Place truffle layer on top and cover evenly with remaining cookie dough. Bake for 18-20 minutes.
8. Remove from oven and let cool for about 15 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla on medium speed until smooth. Add powdered sugar and cake mix and beat on low until just combined. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes. If frosting is too thick, mix in a bit of heavy cream or milk until desired consistency is reached.
10. Once cookie cake is cool, frost and top with sprinkles and more M&Ms if desired.

*Raw eggs are not the only possible source of bacterial contamination, raw flour is also a culprit. Heat treat by heating in microwave to 160 degrees F – about 1 minute stirring every 15 seconds.

Source: Adapted from Life, Love & Sugar.