Homemade Baseball Cookie Cake: Your Ultimate Guide to a Grand Slam Dessert
Step up to the plate and hit a culinary home run with this incredibly easy-to-decorate baseball cookie cake! Forget the hassle of complicated custom orders and sky-high prices; this DIY dessert is not only budget-friendly but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for the little slugger or any baseball fan in your life. With simple frosting and a few candies, you can create a show-stopping centerpiece for birthdays, team parties, or game day celebrations that tastes as good as it looks. Get ready to impress everyone with a delicious, chewy cookie cake that captures the spirit of America’s favorite pastime!
PS. If you’re planning a wider sports-themed celebration, don’t miss my Easy Basketball Cookie Cake recipe too!
Why This Homemade Baseball Cookie Cake is a Grand Slam
I genuinely believe this baseball cookie cake recipe is the best you’ll find for a multitude of reasons. It combines simplicity with incredible flavor, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Here’s why I absolutely love making and sharing this delightful treat:
- It’s Oh-So-Easy: You don’t need to be a professional pastry chef or have advanced cake decorating skills to make this cookie cake shine. Forget about intricate piping bags and tricky designs! With just a few simple ingredients like licorice strings or M&Ms, you can effortlessly create the iconic baseball stitches. This makes it ideal for busy parents, first-time bakers, or anyone looking for a quick yet impressive dessert.
- Cheaper Than Store-Bought: Custom birthday cookie cakes from bakeries can be incredibly expensive, often costing upwards of $40-$60 or more. This homemade version offers significant savings without compromising on taste or visual appeal. Most of the basic ingredients—flour, sugar, butter—are likely already in your pantry, making this a much more economical choice than hitting up the bakery aisle at Walmart or your local grocery store. Why pay a premium when you can make something even better at home for a fraction of the cost?
- No Special Pan Needed: While I do use a dedicated cookie cake pan (which is a super affordable and worthwhile investment for any cookie cake enthusiast!), you certainly don’t need one to get started. You can easily create a perfect round cookie cake using my DIY cookie cake pan method. This flexibility means you can whip up this treat anytime, even if you don’t have specialized baking equipment on hand.
- Customizable for Any Taste: Beyond the classic chocolate chip base, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Want a different flavor profile? No problem! You can adapt the base cookie to a sugar cookie, peanut butter, or even triple chocolate, as long as it forms a sturdy, round cake. This flexibility ensures that every baseball fan, no matter their cookie preference, can enjoy a personalized and delicious treat.
This baseball cookie cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a statement that shows care and creativity, all while being incredibly simple to execute. It’s truly a win-win for everyone involved!
What You Need to Make Your Baseball Cookie Cake
Creating this impressive baseball cookie cake requires a few straightforward ingredients and tools. Most items are likely already in your kitchen, making it super convenient. Below is a quick overview; for precise measurements and full instructions, make sure to jump down to the full recipe card.
- Cookie Cake & White Frosting (Recipe Below!): The heart of our dessert! My recipe for the chewy cookie cake base and smooth white buttercream frosting provides the perfect foundation. The white frosting is crucial for giving your cookie cake that classic baseball look.
- Cookie Cake Pan or DIY Cookie Cake Pan: A round pan (typically 11-inch) is ideal. If you don’t have one, a simple DIY solution using aluminum foil will work perfectly to shape your giant cookie.
- Pull-and-Peel Licorice or Red M&M’s: These are your key decorating elements for creating the iconic red stitches of a baseball. Both options are incredibly easy to use and yield fantastic results, offering a slight variation in texture and appearance. Choose whichever you prefer or have on hand!
Make it Gluten-Free! For those with dietary restrictions, this baseball cookie cake can easily be made gluten-free. Simply substitute regular all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free baking flour when preparing the cookie cake dough. I highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for consistent and delicious results that maintain that perfect chewy texture.
How to Make a Baseball Birthday Cookie Cake: Step-by-Step
Creating your baseball-themed cookie cake is a fun and rewarding process. I’ve broken it down into easy-to-follow steps, with two distinct methods for decorating the baseball stitches. This is just an overview with step-by-step photos; for the full, precise instructions and ingredient amounts, please click here to jump down to the complete recipe card.
Method 1: Decorating with Licorice Strings
This method offers a classic, slightly more textured stitch look using pull-and-peel licorice.
- Bake the Cookie Cake: Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe card below to bake your giant cookie cake. Ensure it’s perfectly golden around the edges and slightly soft in the center for that ideal chewy texture.
- Cool Completely and Frost: Once your cookie cake is fully baked, allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. This is crucial to prevent your frosting from melting. Once cool, spread about half of the white frosting evenly over the entire top surface of the cake, creating a smooth, white canvas.
- Create Guide Lines: To ensure symmetrical baseball “seams,” you can either freehand two gentle, curving half-circles (like the two C-shapes on a baseball) or lightly press a plate onto the frosted surface to create subtle indentations as a guide.
- Apply Licorice Seams: Take two sets of two licorice “strings” (from a pull-and-peel pack) and gently twist them together to create slightly thicker strands. Carefully press these twisted licorice strands onto the cake, following the half-circle guide lines you created. Ensure they adhere well to the frosting.
- Add the Stitches: Cut the remaining full pull-and-peel licorice pieces into small, approximately 1-inch segments. Then, gently pull each segment apart lengthwise to create thinner, individual “stitches.” Arrange these smaller licorice pieces in a V-pattern along the main licorice seams, simulating the iconic baseball stitching.
- Add a Decorative Border (Optional): For an extra touch of polish, fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (like Wilton 1M or 21) with the remaining frosting. Pipe a decorative border around the edge of the cookie cake. This adds a beautiful frame and finishes the look.
Method 2: Decorating with M&M Candy
This method provides a slightly different, bolder look for the stitches, using red M&M’s for a fun, colorful effect.
- Bake the Cookie Cake: Just like with the licorice method, begin by baking your cookie cake according to the instructions in the recipe card below. A perfectly baked base is key!
- Cool and Frost: Allow the cookie cake to cool completely before spreading an even layer of white frosting over the top. A smooth, white surface is essential for your baseball design.
- Create Guide Lines: Similar to Method 1, you can either freehand or lightly press a thin-rimmed plate onto the frosting to create subtle guide lines for your two curving baseball seams. This helps keep your M&M placement even and symmetrical.
- Apply M&M Seams: Begin pressing the red M&Ms onto the frosting, placing them on their sides, directly along the curved guide lines. The flat sides of the M&M’s should face outwards, creating a distinct line. Continue until both curved seams are fully formed with M&Ms.
- Add Upward Stitches: To create the “stitches” coming off the main seams, press additional red M&Ms into the frosting in a small V-pattern, positioned slightly above the main lines. This mimics the raised appearance of real baseball stitches.
- Add a Decorative Border (Optional): If desired, use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and the remaining white frosting to pipe a decorative border around the circumference of the cookie cake. This final touch gives a neat and professional finish.
Both methods are incredibly effective and easy, allowing you to choose the decorating style that best suits your preference or the supplies you have available. Enjoy the creative process!
Storage & Freezing Tips for Your Cookie Cake
Ensuring your delicious baseball cookie cake stays fresh and delicious is simple with these storage guidelines:
Storing: For optimal freshness, cover your cookie cake tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to 2 to 3 days. The frosting, especially homemade buttercream, will firm up nicely when chilled, making for cleaner slices.
Freezing: If you’re planning to enjoy your cookie cake later, it freezes wonderfully! Wrap the cooled and frosted cookie cake tightly in a few layers of plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. This helps prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for 1 to 2 months. Beyond this timeframe, while still safe to eat, the cookie may start to lose some of its moistness and chewiness. To thaw, simply transfer it to the refrigerator overnight or allow it to sit at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Make Ahead Tip: You can bake the cookie cake base a day or two in advance and store it at room temperature (tightly wrapped) before frosting on the day of your event. This helps break up the prep work and makes party day even easier!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Got questions about making your baseball cookie cake? I’ve got answers! Check out these common queries to help you hit a home run with your dessert.
Absolutely, yes! This decorating method translates perfectly to smaller, individual cookies. Just bake circle sugar cookies (or your favorite round cookie), frost them with white icing, and then follow the same instructions for applying licorice or M&Ms to create the baseball stitches. For smaller cookies, you might find that mini M&Ms work even better for a more proportionate stitch effect. It’s a fantastic way to create a whole batch of themed treats for a party platter!
While Kroger and Publix cookie cakes are definitely popular and enjoyable, my homemade cookie cake recipe offers a superior, more authentic chewy texture that truly stands out. Many store-bought versions can sometimes be dry or overly cakey. My recipe guarantees that perfect balance of slightly crunchy edges and a soft, incredibly chewy middle. Plus, it’s significantly cheaper than custom store-bought options! But don’t just take my word for it – here’s what a reader said about my Homemade Cookie Cake Recipe, which forms the base of this baseball cake:
“This was a HUGE hit! Perfect mixture of crunchy edges/top, and soft chewy middle. Will never use another recipe for cookie cakes! Delicious! Thanks for sharing!!!” This rave review speaks volumes about the quality you can achieve at home.
Yes, absolutely! The beauty of this design is its adaptability. Instead of the chocolate chip cookie base, simply swap it out for my delicious Frosted Sugar Cookie Cake recipe. The decoration process remains exactly the same – just whip up the buttercream frosting and decorate with your choice of licorice strings or red M&Ms. The baseball design is versatile enough to work with various cookie cake flavors, including Peanut Butter Cookie Cake or even a rich Triple Chocolate Cookie Cake. And if you’re exploring other sports themes, remember I also have an Easy Basketball Cookie Cake! The possibilities are endless for creating a personalized sports dessert.
This baseball cookie cake is incredibly versatile and perfect for a wide range of occasions! It’s an obvious choice for a baseball-themed birthday party for kids (or adults!), but it’s also fantastic for Little League celebrations, end-of-season team parties, World Series watch parties, or simply as a fun treat for game day. It’s also a wonderful dessert for school events, picnics, or any gathering where you want to add a touch of sporty fun and deliciousness.
Absolutely! You can bake the cookie cake base up to 1-2 days in advance. Once it’s completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature. The frosting can also be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator; just let it come to room temperature and re-whip it for a minute or two before spreading. Assembling and decorating on the day of your event will ensure the freshest look, but having the components ready in advance saves valuable time and reduces stress.
Easy Baseball Cookie Cake
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Ingredients
Cookie Cake:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick) you will be melting this
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder omit if using salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips you’ll be chopping ½ cup and adding the remaining ½ cup whole
Buttercream Frosting:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks) softened
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 3-6 tablespoons milk
For Decorating:
- Red Pull-and-Peel Twizzlers or M&Ms
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Chop ½ cup of the chocolate chips. The goal here is to have a mixture of tiny chocolate flakes throughout the dough, while still have the whole chunks in there for texture. Set aside.
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In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter (½ cup, i.e. 1 stick) for 30-60 seconds until JUST melted.
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Add in granulated sugar (¼ cup) and light brown sugar (½ cup) and use a spatula to stir until combined (*do not use a mixer!). Add in egg (1 large) and vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons), then mix. Next, add in baking soda (½ teaspoon), baking powder (¼ teaspoon), and salt (¼ teaspoon) and mix again. Add in all-purpose flour (1 ½ cups) and mix until all the flour disappears into the dough.
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Add the ½ cup of chopped chocolate chips and ½ cup of whole chocolate chips into the dough and mix. Immediately proceed to pressing into pan (you don’t want the dough sitting out or it will set too much with the melted butter).
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Grease a 11″aluminumcookie cake pan (don’t have one? See notes below). Although this cookie removes cleanly, if you are worried about it sticking, line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper first. Using a spoon or your clean hands, drop the dough into small chunks in the pan. This will help disperse everything so that you can easily smooth it out. Once all dough as been added, use a spatula or your hands to press down the dough into a smooth layer (being sure to get all the corners).
Tip: If you notice 2-3 chocolate chips are stuck together, separate them before baking. This will allow the chocolate to be evenly dispersed and prevent the cookie from having a giant clump of chocolate in one spot (which could cause it to more easily break while cutting).
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Bake at 350°F degrees for 12-14 minutes – do NOT overbake or your chocolate chip cookie cake will not be soft. You want the cookie cake to be slightly brown on the top and look slightly underbaked (my oven was perfect at 12 minutes). Remove from oven and place entire pan on a cooling rack. Allow the cookie cake to cool completely before removing.
Tip: To remove from pan, use a knife to go around the edges, place a flat platter on top, then flip over the pan to remove. If you used parchment paper, this should come out rather smoothly. After flipping over the cookie cake, flip it over again on the final decorate plate or platter.
To Make Frosting:
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In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter (¾ cup, i.e. 1 ½[‘/adjustable] sticks) on medium speed using a hand or stand mixer (with paddle attachment) for 1-2 minutes (until light and creamy).
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Keeping the mixer on medium speed, slowly add in vanilla extract (/2 ¼ teaspoons), pinch of salt, and powdered sugar (3 ¾ [/adjustable]cups). Once incorporated, turn the mixer to high speed and beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add milk (3-6 tablespoons) and beat for 30 seconds. Add an additional 1 tablespoon of milk if frosting seems too thick to spread.
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Spread half of the frosting on top of the cake.
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Add the licorice strings or red M&Ms to create the baseball design immediately after frosting, before it begins to harden. You can use a thin-rimmed plate and skewer to create indentations to use as a guide.
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Add a border around the cake with a large star tip.
This frosting recipe will make just enough frosting to cover the top of the cookie cake and create a border.
Storage:
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If not eating same day, cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for 2-3 days. This sugar cookie cake is also amazing frozen for 1-2 months (any longer and it tends to dry out).
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
- Baking Pan Alternatives: Don’t fret if you don’t own a dedicated round cookie cake pan (though it’s a great, affordable investment for repeated use!). You can easily create a DIY cookie cake pan using aluminum foil by shaping it into a round barrier on a baking sheet. Ensure the foil is sturdy enough to hold the dough’s shape during baking.
- Storage/Make Ahead for Frosting: This homemade buttercream frosting develops a slight crust as it sets, which makes it perfect for preparing a day in advance. If you plan to serve the cookie cake within one day, you generally don’t need to refrigerate it due to its high sugar content. For longer storage or making it further ahead, gently wrap the frosted cookie cake after the frosting has set (this usually takes an hour or two at room temperature) and then place it in the fridge. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Adjusting Frosting Amount: If you prefer a simpler look without a piped border, or just want less frosting overall, you can reduce the buttercream recipe slightly. For just enough to cover the top of an 11-inch cookie cake, use approximately ½ cup butter, 2.5 cups powdered sugar, 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and 2-3 tablespoons of milk. Adjust milk to achieve desired spreading consistency.
- Sourcing Red M&Ms: While specialty party stores or online retailers like Amazon might offer bags of red-only M&Ms, it’s often more cost-effective to simply purchase two regular bags of M&Ms and pick out the red ones. This can be a fun activity with kids before the main decorating begins!
- Gluten-Free Option: For those seeking a gluten-free option, good news! I’ve successfully adapted this beloved recipe into the best Chewy Gluten-Free Cookie Cake. Follow that linked recipe for specific gluten-free ingredient ratios and tips to ensure a delicious and safe treat for everyone.
Nutrition information is just an estimate but based on 12 servings and the m&m option.
Nutrition