Chocolate Oreo Cake

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This Chocolate Oreo Cake is to die for. Three layers of moist chocolate cake are filled and frosted with chocolaty, Oreo-packed buttercream, plus more Oreos are layered between the cake layers. It’s an Oreo lover’s dream.

Rich & Decadent Chocolate Oreo Cake

I am such a big fan of desserts made with Oreos, as you can see with from all my dessert recipes made with Oreos. The flavor is just so good. This cake combines the wonderful Oreo cookie with cake and chocolate. The result is one delicious dessert that is nothing short of a dream come true.

Three layers of tender, moist chocolate cake are stacked on top of one another, filled with thick layers of fluffy, Oreo-filled buttercream. Between each cake layer there is also more chopped Oreos! There’s no shortage of Oreo flavor in this cake! It is then frosted with more Oreo buttercream, drizzled with a rich chocolate ganache, and decorated with buttercream swirls and whole Oreos. It’s practically irresistible.

And even better – it’s super easy to make! The chocolate cake itself is my classic chocolate cake recipe that is super moist and gets into the oven in about 10 minutes. The buttercream is also a classic vanilla buttercream that’s easy to make – you just have to grind up the Oreos to flavor it!

A slice of chocolate Oreo cake on a plate with a fork.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cake with Oreo Buttercream

Chocolate cake plus Oreos? What’s not to love!? Here are some of my favorite things about this delicious dessert.

  • Packed with Oreos. If you love Oreos as much as I do, this is the cake for you. The recipe uses an entire package of these delicious sandwich cookies. Between the frosting and the garnish, you will not miss an Oreo in a single bite.
  • The cake is so moist. The layers of cake themselves are some of the moistest ever. Your search for the perfect chocolate cake is over. It’s amazing. 
  • No fancy mixing method. Some cakes require a lot of fancy whipping, fluffing, and folding. Not this one. Just mix everything together right in the bowl. It’s as simple as that.

What You’ll Need

Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make this decadent, Oreo-filled chocolate layer cake. Don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Chocolate cake

  • All-purpose flour – Feel free to use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free substitute instead.
  • Sugar
  • Natural unsweetened cocoa powder – You can use dutch processed cocoa powder for a more bitter chocolate flavor.
  • Baking soda – For the optimal rise and cake texture.
  • Salt – For flavor. Don’t leave it out.
  • Large eggs – It is best if the eggs are at room temperature. They will incorporate into the batter more easily, helping to prevent over-mixing.
  • Milk – For more moisture and fat.
  • Vegetable oil – For a super moist cake.
  • Vanilla extract – For a little extra flavor.
  • Boiling water – The hot water will help the flavors in the cocoa powder “bloom”, yielding a more powerful chocolate flavor.

Oreo Buttercream

  • Butter – The butter should be at room temperature.
  • Powdered sugar – For volume and consistency.
  • Oreo crumbs – To flavor the buttercream. I like to put my Oreos in a food processor and grind into crumbs.
  • Vanilla extract – Also for flavor.
  • Heavy cream – To give the frosting creaminess and the best consistency.
  • Oreos

Chocolate Ganache and Toppings

  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Heavy whipping cream
  • Oreos

How to Make Chocolate Oreo Cake

Cake. Buttercream. Ganache. Just three simple components and you’ll be ready to assemble one of the best layer cakes on the planet. Here’s how to do it. Make sure to scroll to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

Chocolate cake

  • Prep. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F, line the bottom of three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles, and grease the sides.
  • Make the cake batter. Whisk together the dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, and vegetable oil and mix to combine. Add vanilla to the boiling water and mix into the batter.
  • Bake. Divide batter between the three cake pans and bake for 30-33 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool for 5-10 minutes before turning them out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Oreo buttercream

  • Beat the butter until smooth.
  • Mix in half of the powdered sugar followed by the vanilla and Oreo crumbs. Mix in the rest of the powdered sugar. Slowly mix in the heavy cream until you get a smooth consistency.
Mixing Oreo buttercream frosting.
  • Set aside 3 1/2 cups of the buttercream and add chopped Oreos to the rest.

To assemble

  • Level the cakes. Use a serrated knife to remove the cake domes.
  • Stack and fill. Place first layer of cake on cake plate and spread half of the icing with chopped Oreos on top in an even layer. Repeat with the second cake and the second half of the icing with Oreos. Top with the last cake layer.
  • Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting.
  • Make the chocolate ganache. Heat the heavy whipping cream until it begins to boil. Pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes and whisk until smooth.
An Oreo cake drizzled with chocolate ganache.
  • Finish the cake. Drizzle the chocolate ganache around the edge of the cake and spread the remainder over the top. Allow the ganache to firm up before piping the remainder of the frosting around the top edge of the cake. Add Oreos between swirls.

Can This Chocolate Layer Cake Be Prepared in Advance?

Yes! You can prepare all of the elements for this cake (aside from the ganache) in advance. Bake the cakes, allow them to cool, and store them in an air-tight container or cake carrier (or wrap them in clear wrap) until you are ready to assemble the cake. You can also make the buttercream a day or two in advance so long as you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When you are ready to enjoy this delicious dessert, bring your buttercream to room temperature (it’ll be very hard straight out of the fridge). Then all you have to do is stack, fill, frost, and decorate the cake.

A slice of chocolate Oreo cake on a plate.

Tips for Success

Layer cakes can feel intimidating, I get it. Rest assured, though. This chocolate Oreo cake will turn out perfectly if you follow a few simple tips and tricks.

  • Measure carefully. Especially the flour. If you don’t have a food scale, I recommend spooning the flour into the measuring cup and leveling it.
  • Room temperature ingredients. The eggs in the cake batter as well as the butter in the buttercream should be at room temperature before beginning. The eggs will incorporate into the batter more easily, preventing you from over-mixing. Starting with room-temperature butter will set you up for a smooth, creamy buttercream as opposed to a lumpy one.
  • Don’t over-mix the batter. Over-mixing the batter will cause the glutens in the flour to overdevelop giving you a tough, overly dense cake.
  • Frost with ease. Check out my tutorial for how to frost a smooth cake while the cake is cooling.
  • Study up on how to make the perfect chocolate ganache.

Serving Suggestions

This chocolate layer cake is magnificent on its own but that doesn’t mean you can’t doll it up with a topping or two or wash it down with a delicious beverage. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it.

Chocolate Oreo cake on a cake stand near Oreos.

How to Store Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers, store this cake in an airtight cake carrier in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. No cake carrier? No problem. Wrap the cake in a double layer of saran wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Use toothpicks to prop the plastic away from the cake decorations. Already sliced it? Arrange the slices in a single layer in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator.

If you want to freeze the cake, do so before assembling it. Wrap the cooled cake layers in clear wrap and aluminum foil and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, allow the layers to thaw in the refrigerator before stacking, frosting, and decorating.

More Oreo Cake Recipes:

I love Oreos. And I love cake. So naturally, I have done my best to dream up as many cakes featuring Oreos as my imagination will allow. Here are some of my favorites.

Watch How To Make Oreo Cake

Read Transcript

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side view of Chocolate Oreo Cake
Recipe

Chocolate Oreo Cake

  • Author: Lindsay Conchar
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 28 minutes
  • Total Time: 58 minutes
  • Yield: 14-16 Slices
  • Category: Cake
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Chocolate Oreo Cake is to die for! A moist chocolate cake full of Oreo icing! And not just any Oreo icing – it is FULL of crushed up Oreos. An Oreo lover’s dream.


Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour (measured properly)
  • 2 cups (414g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water

Oreo Buttercream and Chopped Oreo Filling

  • 3 cups (672g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 89 cups (920g-1035g) powdered sugar
  • 3 cups (414g) Oreo crumbs (about 33 Oreos)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 67 tbsp (90ml-105ml) heavy cream
  • pinch of salt
  • 12 Oreos, chopped

Chocolate Ganache

  • 6 oz (1 cup | 169g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
  • Oreos, optional

NOTE: You’ll need at least one full package of Oreos. If you plan to decorate the outside of the cake with more Oreos, as shown, you might need a second package.


Instructions

  1. Make the cakes. Prepare three 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom, and grease the sides.
  2. Add all dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk together.
  3. Add eggs, milk and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients and mix well.
  4. Add vanilla to boiling water and add to mixture. Mix well.
  5. Divide batter between three cakes pans and bake at 300 degrees for about 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
  6. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove to cooling racks to cool completely.
  7. Make icing while cakes cool. Beat together butter until smooth.
  8. Slowly add 4 cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
  9. Add vanilla, Oreo crumbs and salt and mix until smooth.
  10. Add another 4-5 cups of powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Add heavy cream, as needed, until you get a smooth consistency.
  11. To make the filling for inside the cake, measure out about 3 1/2 cups of Oreo buttercream and add chopped Oreos. Set chopped Oreo filling aside. Set remaining Oreo buttercream aside as well.
  12. Assemble the cake. Once cakes are cool, remove cake domes from top with a large serrated knife.
  13. Place first layer of cake on cake plate. Spread 1/2 of the chopped Oreo filling on top in an even layer.
  14. Add second layer of cake and add the rest of the chopped Oreo filling on top in an even layer.
  15. Add final layer of cake on top and frost the outside of the cake with the Oreo buttercream frosting. Feel free to use my tutorial for how to frost a smooth cake.
  16. To make the chocolate ganache, add the chocolate chips to a medium sized bowl (see my tips on making chocolate ganache).
  17. Heat the heavy whipping cream just until it begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
  18. Drizzle the chocolate ganache around the edge of the cake, then pour the remainder of the ganache on top of the cake and spread evenly. I like to use a squeeze bottle for drizzling around the edges.
  19. Allow the ganache to firm up a bit, then pipe the remainder of the frosting around the top edge of the cake (see my tips on making a chocolate drip cake) and add an Oreo between each swirl. I used Ateco tip 844.
  20. Sprinkle a few Oreo crumbs onto to the cake, if desired, then serve. Cake is best when well covered for 3-4 days.

Notes

Feel free to reduce the overall amount of buttercream if you plan on decorating your cake differently. I use a fair amount based on my method of how to decorate a smooth cake (linked in the recipe instructions above).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Slice
  • Calories: 995
  • Sugar: 93.8 g
  • Sodium: 398 mg
  • Fat: 60.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 114.7 g
  • Protein: 5.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 79.1 mg

Categories

Enjoy!

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921 Comments
  1. Lindsey+@+American+Heritage+Cooking

    This cake is a sight for sore eyes! I could use a huge slice of this right now and a chickflick. Just what the Dr ordered! I keep praying about your husband’s citizenship! xox

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Thanks Lindsey! I actually was watching “The Other Woman” on HBO a couple days ago and thought about you and our first chickflick movie date. 😉

  2. Rae

    This cake looks beautiful and so yummy. Could I make this cake the day before? Would I refrigerate it or would that dry it out? Thanks

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      Yes, you can make it a day before, it’ll still be very moist. I would not refrigerate it.

      1. Xannie

        I used a 9 inch pan but mine haven’t really set up and I’m past the 40 min mark… do you think I put too much batter in and it will turn out fine? Or do you think I’ll end up burning the bottom if I bake it till it sets?

      2. Lindsay

        Did you use only one pan? If so, you’re going to want to keep baking it but it may not turn out great. Putting all that cake batter in one pan and having to cook it for that long can make a very dense and possibly dry cake. I would suggest using at least two cake pans.

  3. susan

    looks delicious ….cant wait to try it
    does it ned to be stored in the refrigerator or can it stay out for a day?

    1. lifeloveandsugar@gmail.com

      I wouldn’t put it in the fridge. I usually leave it on the counter. It should be fine for a day. It’ll be very moist.

      1. Belinda Charles

        Hi Lindsay, out of curiosity, may I ask why you wouldn’t recommend it to be refrigerated? Thank you!

    2. Candice Walker

      This is super delicious. I made a cake and cupcakes for my sons 16th Birthday party. It was a hit!!!!

      I did the cupcakes at the same temperature and put them in for 25 minutes. Super moist and chocolaty.






  4. Tasbih @ Cleobuttera

    I was reading this while my 9 year old son was sitting beside me, and he got drooling over this and kept begging me to make it for him! This looks to die for. Gotta make it very soon for the little guy. And for myself too. Yum! Pinned!

    1. Toni

      Would I be able to make this as a sheet cake? If so, what size would you recommend and cook time?  My daughter wants an Oreo cake for her birthday next weekend and I would love to make this!

      1. Lindsay

        I’ve been meaning to try this as a sheet cake but haven’t yet. I can’t say for sure yet, but I do think it would probably be OK. I’m not sure really about the bake time yet.

      2. Vicki

        Did you make this as a sheet cake? Did it work for you? I was thinking to try it in a Bundt pan. What do you think?

  5. Annie @ Annie's Noms

    Tons of Oreos crushed in the icing?!?! This is my kind of icing!!! Absolutely beautiful, I adore Oreo’s!

  6. Dorothy+@+Crazy+for+Crust

    Um, wow. Just…wow. This cake would make me very, very happy. Good luck to him on his test!!

  7. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Lindsay, dude, you seriously make the most beautiful looking cakes! Fingers crossed for your husband on his citizenship test!!! he’s going to rock it and hope you guys get to go on your trip soon!!!

  8. Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats

    I would never pass a citizenship test I’m pretty positive! Good luck to your hubs and he better be rewarded with this fantastic cake! YUM!

      1. Lindsay

        Either way is fine actually. It’s so easy, you don’t really need a mixer for the cake batter.

  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Your cakes are always so gorgeous, Lindsay! And this one looks amazing. Anything with oreos is a winner in my book! Looks delish! Pinned!

  10. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)

    So ummm this cake is indeed the cake of all cakes to celebrate with. I am so excited for the hubs and I know he will do well on the test! And then it will be time to have a hunk of this masterpiece. I’m so in love!

  11. Jen @ Baked by an Introvert

    There’s no way I’d be able to pass the test if I had to take it. Information does not stick with me at all. I’m sure hubby is going to do great though. I’m wishing him the best of luck! This cake should be your celebratory cake! It looks phenomenal!

  12. Beth

    Sign me up for some private cake making lessons because I need to learn and this one is gorgeous Lindsay! And only one bag of oreos is in it?!

  13. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness

    I am SO not looking forward to taking that test in a few years! But I am totally wishing him luck and I know he will KNOCK it out!
    Just like I will knocking this cake right into my face. Gimme all dat Oreo deliciousness! Pinned!

      1. Rebecca

        So excited to make this cake! One question do you let the water cool after boiling or do you let the water cool? 

  14. Mir

    First off, congrats to you guys! That’s an amazing milestone. I really want to look at those questions and test myself.
    And second, I need to not look at this cake too long. It’s making me want to reach above the fridge at 6 AM and eat a ton of Oreos. It’s so fantastic!

    1. Sarah

      The batter turned out like soup. Is it supposed to? I followed the recipe this T. They are in oven now. I hope they turn out. 

      1. Stephanie

        Mine was the same and Ive just checked it at 35 minutes and its still liquid in the middle 😕 ive never added this much liquid to a cake mix it felt way too runny

      2. Angelica Leal

        The cake was delicious. However, I had trouble piping as the oreos kept getting stuck. How did you crush your oreos? I typically crush them into fine crumbs in the blender, but I used a rolling pin this time.






      3. Lindsay

        Yea, I use a food processor to grind them into crumbs. You don’t want any chunks or they’ll get stuck in a piping tip very easily.

Lindsay
About Lindsay

I’m the baker, recipe developer and photographer behind Life, Love and Sugar. I love sharing trusted recipes with helpful tips to give you great results.

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29