Lately, I can’t go on Instagram without seeing crumbl cookies. As delicious as their cookies look, crumbl doesn’t have any vegan options so I can’t try them myself. That’s where this recipe comes in.
These copycat crumbl birthday cake featuring OREO® cookies are made with no eggs or dairy, but are still deliciously soft, flavorful, and beyond delicious.
About the cookie
According to crumbl, this cookie is “a warm OREO® cookie rolled in OREO® crumbs, topped with birthday cake frosting, OREO® cake balls and rainbow sprinkles.” So that’s exactly what this copycat cookie is.
Oreo cookie rolled in Oreo crumbs
This cookie is a giant (~4oz of dough) cookie that’s flavored with cocoa powder and Oreo crumbs, then rolled in more Oreo crumbs prior to baking. If it sounds rich, that’s because it is.
Birthday cake frosting
This birthday cake frosting is flavored with actual dry cake mix (many store-bought options are actually vegan!). You’ll heat-treat the cake mix prior to using it to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Oreo cake balls
Okay, this cookie is intense enough, we didn’t need to be adding actual cake to the mix. These cake balls are simply made of four ingredients: Oreos, vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, and flour. They have a cake pop texture and are loaded with Oreo flavor, without the need for actual cake.
Rainbow sprinkles
Finally, you’ll top this cookie with vegan rainbow sprinkles. There are plenty options on the market, so take your pick.
How to serve
Crumbl states that this cookie is served warm, however I prefer to wait for the cookies to cool completely prior to frosting so that the frosting doesn’t melt. Prior to eating, the cookie can be heated in the microwave and served warm, if desired.
Important Ingredients
Okay, okay. Every ingredient is important in this recipe. But below are a few of the ones that play a big role in making these cookies successful and delicious.
Vegan butter: This is the base of almost all of my vegan cookies. It’s important to use butter sticks in this recipe.
All-purpose flour: This gives these cookies structure, however packing the flour into your measuring cup can lead to dry cookies. Use the spoon and level method or weigh your flour for success.
Cocoa powder: This gives these cookies a rich chocolate flavor. You should use the same method you use for measuring flour to ensure you don’t use too much.
Oreos: You can use oreos or your favorite vegan chocolate sandwich cookie. These are crushed and used in the cookie dough, as a coating for the cookies, and in the oreo cake balls.
Dry cake mix (vanilla, funfetti, or your favorite flavor): Did you know that many boxed cake mixes you find at the store are actually vegan? Just check the ingredients to ensure there are no animal products! The addition of dry boxed cake mix adds a delicious birthday cake flavor to the frosting. You’ll heat treat it prior to using to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Rainbow sprinkles: These are the cherry on top of these cookies. Not only do they add a tasty crunch, they’re also super cute.
Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake featuring OREO® Cookies
Ingredients
Oreo Cookie
- 1/2 cup (113 g) vegan butter*, cold and cubed
- 1/3 cup (66 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 g) packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) nondairy milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups (156 g) all-purpose flour measured correctly*
- 1/3 cup (33 g) cocoa powder measured correctly*
- 9 oreos, crushed (~1 cup [120 g])
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 oreos, crushed (for coating)
Birthday Cake Frosting
- 6 tbsp (84 g) vegan butter*, softened
- 1 cup (125 g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup (80 g) vegan dry boxed cake mix (vanilla, funfetti, or flavor of choice) heat treated and cooled*
- 1+ tsp nondairy milk
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Oreo Cake Balls
- 4 oreos, crushed
- 1 tbsp (14 g) vegan cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (31 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp (8 g) all-purpose flour heat treated and cooled*
Instructions
- Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the cubed butter, sugar, and brown sugar to a mixing bowl or the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat with a hand mixer or the stand mixer until creamed.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract. Beat again until well combined.
- Add the flour, cocoa powder, 9 crushed oreos, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined.
- Place the 3 crushed oreos into a small bowl.
- Split the dough into five equal pieces (~4oz each) and roll into balls. Roll in the crushed oreos, then place on the baking sheet, leaving room in between each. Press the balls down slightly.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: Add the softened butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl or the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat with a hand mixer or the stand mixer until fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, cake mix, 1 tsp milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until very smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. If necessary, add more milk, 1/2 tsp at a time, until the frosting is firm but smooth. Place into a piping bag and cut off the tip of the bag to create a small opening. Set aside.
- Make the cake balls: Add all ingredients to a small mixing bowl or food processor and stir/process until a thick dough is formed. If the dough seems dry, stir in a bit more cream cheese. If the dough seems wet, add a bit more flour.
- Take little bits of the dough and create small balls to create the cake ball topping.
- Assemble the cookies: Swirl the frosting onto the cooled cookies. Top with some cake balls and sprinkles. Serve room temperature or warmed slightly in the microwave.
Notes
- Vegan butter: Opt for butter in stick/block form rather than from the tub.
- Measuring flour and cocoa powder: Flour and cocoa powder should be measured using the spoon and level method or by weighing them.
- The cake mix in the frosting and flour in the cake balls should be heat treated before eating. Allow it to cool completely before using in the recipe.
- How to heat treat in the microwave: place flour into a bowl and microwave for 1:15, stirring every 15 seconds.
- How to heat treat in the oven: spread flour on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Do you think it would be okay to make more smaller cookies? Like 10 small ones
Yes, definitely! Just reduce the baking time to ensure they don’t overbake.