Cookie Cake (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - Brown sugar: 1/2 cup, lightly packed, for sweetness.
02 - Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup, for sweetness.
03 - Salted butter: 3/4 cup, room temperature, for a rich base.
04 - Egg: 1, for binding.
05 - Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, for flavor.
06 - All-purpose flour: 1 1/4 cups, for structure.
07 - Cocoa powder: 1/2 cup, for a chocolate flavor.
08 - Baking soda: 1 tsp, for leavening.
09 - Chocolate chunks or chocolate chips: 1/2 - 3/4 cup, for a gooey chocolate texture.
10 - Candy corn: 1/2 - 3/4 cup, for a festive sweetness.
11 - Butter: 1/4 cup, for the frosting.
12 - Shortening: 1/4 cup, for a creamy frosting texture.
13 - Powdered sugar: 2 cups, for frosting sweetness.
14 - Vanilla extract: 1/2 tsp, for frosting flavor.
15 - Cocoa powder: 1/4 cup, for chocolate frosting.
16 - Water or milk: 2 tbsp, to adjust frosting consistency.

Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 or 10-inch cake pan and line it with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
03 - Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
04 - Add the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda, mixing until a thick, sticky dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chunks and candy corn.
05 - Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared cake pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, leaving the center slightly soft.
06 - Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan.
07 - To make the frosting, beat together the butter and shortening until smooth. Add the cocoa powder, vanilla, and half the powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
08 - Add the remaining powdered sugar, gradually adding water or milk until the frosting reaches a creamy consistency.
09 - Once the cookie cake is fully cooled, frost with chocolate icing and garnish with additional candy corn.

Notes:

01 - This cookie cake is perfect for Halloween celebrations, featuring festive candy corn and rich chocolate chunks.
02 - Be sure to allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the icing.