• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hunger Thirst Play

Delicious Recipes for Every Season

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • eBooks
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • eBooks
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • eBooks
    • Work with Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Hunger

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    By Lauren on June 3, 2017, Updated April 27, 2021 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Birthdays are great excuses reasons to gather the family, cook tasty food and wash it down with cake. Right? Especially when the cake is Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake. Three layers of perfectly balanced  chocolate cake to sweet ratio with hidden delights of Oreo crunches. Not to mention a chocolate ganache drip, because if we're going to do this, let's do this.

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    Chocolate Cake Dreams

    This chocolate cake will be your next go-to chocolate cake. Ego aside, it is just very consistent and even more delicious. Not overly sweet with a rich chocolate flavor. The batter is perfect for three smaller 9" layers or you could even just go for two. It is always moist, strong enough to hold up a thicker frosting and decorative elements (such as ganache, buttercream and oreos...) and stays incredibly tender even if made a day or two in advance (kept refrigerated).

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    It's your next go-to chocolate cake because I'm speaking from experience. It's the base for these Salted Caramel Stuffed Cupcakes and the best sandwich turned dessert Fluffernutter Cupcakes. It's also the base for this Salted Caramel Pretzel Cake.

    So, uh, ya...I'm totally obsessed with this chocolate cake.

    And now we're going to cover it in Oreo Buttercream. Can a girl get a high five?

    Oreo & Vanilla Creme Buttercream

    How do you make a Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake even better? You give it two frostings, put on a pair of sweatpants, pour a glass of medium-body red wine and tuck in to a soul satisfying piece of cake. Ok, you don't have to do the sweatpants/wine thing. But it comes highly recommended.

    The Oreo Buttercream will bring that crunchy chocolate cookie flavor. Your vanilla creme buttercream will bring slightly sweet, smooth best-part-of-the-Oreo creme and the color balance esthetic that screams, "Hey! If the cookies on top weren't a hint, this is an Oreo cake!"

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    If you don't have one of these cake scraping tools, the flat side of a large chef's knife, a kitchen towel and real hot water is a perfect stand in. Beyond taste and texture, the best part of this Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake is in the imperfections. The crunchy oreo frosting will eliminate that need for a perfectly smooth edge.

    Above all, the drippy chocolate ganache will cover any imperfections on the top and distract the eye will all that ooey, drizzled chocolate goodness.

    Ganache to know you

    There are several ways to make a ganache, but what you will hear over and over, like an Ina Garten mantra in your head, is the importance of high quality chocolate. The good chocolate.

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    The recipe for this chocolate ganache involves all the standards - good chocolate and heavy cream - but with just a touch of corn syrup for an extra drip and an almost reflective finish. For a thicker, intensely rich ganache and additional ideas on how to use it, try this Sinfully Decadent Chocolate Ganache from Foodal.

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    As the baker, sometimes the best thing about cake is the reactions from the crowd at the unveiling. With the effort of a little cake, buttercream, ganache and a few hidden Oreos the wows will be yours.

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    Hidden Oreos because your husband may literally search the house for the rest of the Oreos while your at your bartending job. Unlucky for him you hid them in the tupperware cabinet. Luckily for your cake you have eight perfect Oreos to adorn the top.

    Wipe those hands clean, cause you just totally caked like a boss.

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake
    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    Three decadent layers of fudgy chocolate cake with a crunchy Oreo cookie buttercream crumb coating.  A vanilla creme buttercream for added flavor and chocolate ganache drip, because why the heck not?
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Cake
    Keyword: oreo cake, oreo cookie layer cake, three layer chocolate cake
    Prep Time: 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 25 minutes mins
    Total Time: 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
    Servings: 10 to 12 servings
    Calories: 1132kcal
    Author: Lauren
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Three Layer Chocolate Cake

    • 1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
    • 2 cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
    • 1 cup boiling water

    Oreo Cookie Buttercream

    • 3 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)
    • 1 package double stuffed Oreos (15.5 ounce package, 6 to 8 whole Oreos reserved)
    • 1 cup confectioners sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

    Vanilla Creme Frosting

    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • 3 cup confectioners sugar
    • 6 tablespoon heavy cream

    Chocolate Ganache Drip

    • 1 cup + 1 tablespoon good quality milk chocolate chips
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

    Instructions

    Three Layer Chocolate Cake

    • Grease and flour* (3) 9-inch baking rounds.  Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • In a mixing bowl add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda.  Mix until combined.
    • On low speed add eggs, oil, milk, vanilla and espresso powder.  Mix on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the wet ingredients are fully incorporated.
    • Carefully add the boiling water and mix on low speed for 1 minute, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
    • Divide the batter evenly between the three pans.  Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, rotating the pans halfway if you are using more than one shelf in your oven.  Let cool completely before assembling.

    Oreo Cookie Buttercream

    • Separate creme filling from oreo cookies.  Set cookies aside.  Don't worry if some of the cookie sticks to the creme.
    • Add butter and cookie creme to standing mixer.  Beat on medium speed until pale and fluffy.
    • Add confectioners sugar and vanilla bean paste.  Mix on low speed and increase to medium-high.  Beat for 1 minute.
    • Using a food processor, pulse the cookies until crumbly or alternatively, place the cookies in a plastic bag and roll with a rolling pin.  Mix the cookie crumbs into the frosting on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides if needed.
    • Transfer frosting to a large piping bag.  Cut bag 1 ½" from the bottom so opening is wide or fit bag with a large open tip.

    Vanilla Creme Frosting

    • In standing mixer, beat unsalted butter on medium-high until pale and fluffy.
    • Add confectioners sugar and vanilla bean paste.  Mix on low speed and gradually increase speed to medium-high.
    • Add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, while frosting mixes for 1 to 2 minutes.
    • Transfer frosting to a large piping bag.  Cut bag 1 ½" from the bottom so opening is wide or fit bag with a large open tip.

    Chocolate Ganache Drip

    • In a medium sauce pan, bring heavy cream to just a simmer.  Pour over chocolate chips in a medium bowl.  Let sit for 3 to 4 minutes and stir well with a spatula to combine.
    • Stir in corn syrup.  Let cook 5 minutes then transfer to a small piping bag.  Let sit for 15 minutes before using.

    Three Layer Chocolate Oreo Cake

    • Pipe a quarter size dollop on a cake circle or cake stand to lock in the bottom layer.  Pipe a small layer of Oreo buttercream, top with chocolate cake.  Repeat one more time.
    • Pipe another layer on the top and alone the edges.  Using the cake scraper, smooth the frosting on the top and thinly along the sides.
    • Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set.
    • Pipe vanilla buttercream along the sides, reserving enough to pipe medium stars on top.  Smooth out the  piping on the sides.
    • Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set.
    • Cut a small size tip for the chocolate ganache.  Starting about ½" from the edge of the cake, slowly pipe a steady stream of the ganache letting it pool and drip over the edge.  Working at different speeds and pressure on the piping bag will create different lengths of drip.  Cover the top of the cake with ganache and smooth.
    • Refrigerate 5 minutes to set ganache.
    • Transfer vanilla creme buttercream to a piping bag fit with a large star tip.  Pipe medium sized stars along the edge of the cake.  Decorate with remaining Oreo cookies.*

    Notes

    *If preparing the cake a day before, wait to garnish with Oreo cookies to avoid them getting soggy during refrigeration overnight.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1132kcal | Carbohydrates: 144g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 475mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 109g | Vitamin A: 1419IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 6mg

     

    « Kale & Spinach Pesto on Grilled Flatbread Pizza
    Arugula Caprese Salad »
    1790 shares
    • Share1
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Senthil Muthiah says

      November 21, 2019 at 1:06 pm

      Can I substitute Vanilla Extract for the Vanilla Bean Paste? Is the espresso powder optional for the cake?

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        November 21, 2019 at 10:04 pm

        You can definitely substitute vanilla extract for the paste. The espresso powder helps to bring out more cocoa flavor from the cake, but you can definitely leave it out. My parents are sensitive to caffeine so I substitute decaf espresso if I make this for family, or if the kids are going to have some - because they certainly don't need any caffeine in addition to the sugar rush.

        Reply
    2. Judith says

      March 17, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      Dear Lauren,

      I’m not sure if I’m confused, but I’m wondering what happens to the actual Oreo cookies? You are talking about the crunchiness of the Oreo buttercream but I don’t see the actual crunchy Oreo cookies being added to the cream in the recipe. Please excuse me if I just misunderstood.

      Thank you so much.
      Judith

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        March 18, 2019 at 9:56 pm

        Judith! Thank you so much for noticing. It's a little embarrassing, but it appears one of the steps was MIA. Should be all set now. Thanks for your help!

        Reply
    3. April W says

      July 27, 2018 at 6:00 pm

      The cake itself (without the frostings) is absolutely, hands down, the BEST chocolate cake I have ever had!! I also omitted the espresso powder and it still turned out divine! I am wondering though, if I were to bake the cake in a 9x13 pan what the bake time would be?

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        July 28, 2018 at 9:50 pm

        Thank you April! This is always my go-to cake recipe when I'm making chocolate cake. I'm so glad you loved it! To answer your question, you might have to scale down the ingredients. Most 13x9 cake recipes translate into a 2-layer cake, where this is enough batter to make 3 layers. To do that, I'd divide the recipe in thirds then subtract a third. If that sounds like too much work you can always fill a 13x9 pan with 2/3 of the batter then bake the rest off as cupcakes (30 to 35 minutes for the 13x9 pan and 18 to 20 minutes for the cupcakes). Hope that helps!

        Reply
    4. Taylor Mobley says

      June 06, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      YUM! I love cake and so does my husband! I am definitely saving this recipe!

      Reply
    5. Caitlin + Dani says

      June 06, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Your presentation is perfect. We love the chocolate ganache drizzle. YUM!

      Reply
    6. Mistle says

      June 05, 2017 at 10:54 pm

      Holy moly!! This cake is calling my name! I love Oreo's!!! I just may have to ruin my diet and make this cake.

      Reply
    7. adriana says

      June 05, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Oh how I wish cakes I decorated came out this beautiful! LOL! This is seriously amazing - I'll definitely be attempting this one! 😉

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        June 05, 2017 at 11:13 pm

        I love that this frosting is pretty forgiving. The ganache covers any imperfections!

        Reply
    8. Jenn says

      June 05, 2017 at 8:01 pm

      This is a beautiful cake! And now I am even more hungry than I could even imagine. Off to the kitchen to bake a cake!

      Reply
    9. Carrie Ditton says

      June 05, 2017 at 4:11 pm

      Absolutely stunning! I can't wait to try this! It is going to be my go-to for my parents anniversary party. I only hope I can do it justice.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        June 05, 2017 at 11:11 pm

        Would love to hear about it! Thank you!

        Reply
    10. Karly says

      June 05, 2017 at 2:16 pm

      Talk about BEAUTIFUL. Seriously, this is like a dream come true. NEED a slice (or four) of this in my life ASAP.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        June 05, 2017 at 11:11 pm

        Seriously...a minimum of four haha. Love it! Thank you!

        Reply
    11. Clarissa says

      June 05, 2017 at 1:52 pm

      I don't know if I could master this, I mean, maybe the recipe, but it probably wouldn't turn out looking quite this beautiful! Pinning though! <3

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        June 05, 2017 at 11:10 pm

        It's definitely easier than it looks! This buttercream is very forgiving!

        Reply
    12. Divyanka says

      June 05, 2017 at 11:31 am

      It already created cravings to have it. I couldn't imagine making a cake but I'll definitely try it!

      Reply
    13. Jessica says

      June 05, 2017 at 10:06 am

      This cake looks gorgeous and sounds DELICIOUS! Maybe I will make it for my birthday!
      xo Jessica
      http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lauren! This is my slice of the internet to share seasonally-inspired recipes. I live in the heart of New England with my two kiddos. Life is busy AND delicious!

    Trending Recipes

    • overhead photo of thai peanut dressing and a salad dressed
      Low-Calorie Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing
    • green kale gnocchi over spicy red tomato sauce
      Trader Joe's Kale Gnocchi with Arrabbiata
    • overhead of pumpkin shaped sourdough bread
      Whole Wheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread
    • Earthy green tea matcha whisked with sweet floral lavender and creamy milk. #greentea #matcha #matcharecipes #lavender #cookingwithlavender
      Iced Lavender Matcha Latte

    Get my Thanksgiving eCookbook!

    Footer

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Inquiries + Collabs
    • Subscribe for updates!

    Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes

    Our Restaurants

    • Bonefish Harrys
    • Portsmouth Feed Company
    • Thirsty Butcher Hospitality
    • Restaurant Photography

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Hunger Thirst Play

    Copyright© 2025 Hunger Thirst Play · Privacy Policy ·

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required