Over the weekend, we celebrated Brian’s birthday with his kids. He got to pick the dinner menu which consisted of grilled pork chops, mushroom risotto, and grilled asparagus. I got to pick the birthday cake and ending up choosing a decadent Oreo Cake.
Clearly I was not on top of my game, because when I preheated the oven to start the Oreo Cake recipe, I realized that I was out of cocoa powder, so I had to improvise because time did not permit a trip to the market for more cocoa powder. I did, however, have a box of Devil’s Food Cake in the pantry, so I went with it. After assessing my refrigerator, I decided to doctor up the cake mix to create a rich, moist and delicious Oreo Cake recipe.
Doctoring up cake mixes is not something that I do often, but it’s not something I’m totally against either. Personally I have had some pretty fabulous results from some boxed mixes and this Oreo Cake is no exception. It is truly one of the most moist, chocolaty cakes that I have ever made and the addition of the Oreo buttercream may seriously make you weak in the knees. I jazzed up the top of the cake with a little ganache which certainly added more chocolaty goodness to an already amazing cake. The scrumptious Oreo Cake is perfect for an upcoming holiday, yet simple enough for every day.
Oreo Cake
Ingredients:
For the Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix {with or without pudding}
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chipsFor the Oreo Buttercream
1 stick salted butter – room temperature
1 stick unsalted butter – room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar, 10x)
3-4 tablespoons very cold milk
25 Oreo cookies choppedDirections:
For the Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottoms of (2) 9 inch round cake pans with parchment and grease pans thoroughly.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mix, salt vanilla, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and divide batter into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for 25-35 minutes, rotating pans half way through baking the baking time. Bake until the top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake for at least 30 minutes before inverting. Allow cake to cool completely on wire rack.
For the Oreo Buttercream
1. Cream the butters in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract and combine well.
2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, begin adding the very cold milk… one tablespoon at a time, combining well after each addition until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Fold in chopped Oreo Cookies and frost your cooled cake layers.
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{ 114 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t love cake mix either, but I love doctoring it up! That looks incredible.
I make mini oreo cheesecakes, but this puts those to shame! HOLY YUM!! I have to get away from this post and never, ever return or I’m going to put on 50 pounds!!
This looks completely decadent and amazing!!!
I love the Oreo filling. Great idea and it looks very pretty. Thanks, Jamie.
I can’t wait to make it! Looks soooooo good!!!
Love it!
Wowza!!!! This looks amazing. I have been wanting to make Oreo buttercream for quite some time and this sounds like the perfect recipe. My husband’s birthday is coming up in two weeks and I think I just found what I’m making!!
I also don’t usually doctor up mixes but every once in awhile they simplify things and I haven’t yet had a mishap with them! Love this!
I need to simplify, so I’m going to try making this in a 9×13 pan. As beautiful as it is….I’m going for taste right now. I just want it and I’m not fussing with presentation the first time around. I WANT OREO CAKE and I WANT IT NOW!
Um yes….seriously decadent! I want a piece of this cake so bad right now! Guess I am going to have to make it ASAP! Yet another amazing recipe you have shared with us Jamie! – thank you so much!!!!
Delicious- send some over here.
Cake mix to the rescue! Boxed mix or not, I’ll be the first to say this cake sounds awesome. In fact, if you care to make it for MY birthday I would never in a million years say no.
This almost looks too pretty to eat! Almost!!! That oreo buttercream frosting is calling my name!
That looks amazing! I’ve never tried doctoring a cake mix, but I may just have to start now.
That looks so good! I can’t wait to try it.
Sweet merciful heavens. My brother and his wife are coming to visit from Korea. Must. make. this. He hasn’t had an Oreo in 7 years.
This looks amazing, I love OREOS! Wish I had a piece of this right now!
cake looks so yum,..
Anything Oreo sounds good to me. This cake looks fantastic!
OMG! it looks so sinful yet delicious! im a huge fan of oreos! this is perfect!
Wow – that came from cake mix? Double Wow! Though i shouldn’t harp too much, the devils food mix is one of the best ones out there!
Oh. My. God. This looks sooooooooo good. I want it now. Your pictures are always so enticing. Can’t wait to try this cake.
Our 10-year anniversary is next Friday (Oct 8th) and my husband LOVES his Oreos. I know EXACTLY what to make now…he will go CRAZY over this, especially that Oreo buttercream! He’s a “double-stuf” Oreo guy, so I may need to double the buttercream!
Oh my, this cake is mouthwatering!!
Yum! yes yes this look so good! I love oreeos! I made an Oreo cake too!
here: http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/is-it-enough/
I love this site, is always so pretty!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
You had me at Oreo–yum! I think you did a fabulous job on this cake..sometimes I like using boxed mixes..shortens up the process a little and makes clean up easier too!
The cake was awesome! Thanks!
I love your Oreo Cake recipe! So Decadent! My son’s birthday is coming up this month and I will try baking this cake for his party! I do need baking lessons from you!
Now that’s what I’m talking about! No one ever puts a thick enough layer of buttercream but this is a nice generous slather of it. Awesome looking cake!
I love a good doctored up cake mix! It always seems to cut the kitchen time in half. This cake looks fabulous and I definitely plan on baking this weekend! I will have to add the ingredients to my store list! Thanks for all the great recipes!
WOW look how high of a beauty this cake is! Gorgeous, great job!
Wow, that looks incredible! I’m definitely trying this one when my next chocolate cravings hit. The frosting looks so fluffy and mouth watering good!
I spent many years making cakes from box mixes (and actually used to used box frosting mix too!) and I don’t remember anyone ever saying, ‘I won’t eat it’ so I don’t have a big issue if one is used. Now, that canned frosting…that’s another story!
Looks like a great cake Jamie particularly for someone who loves Oreos…and isn’t that all of us?
Oh my goodness…I’m drooling over here! This looks absolutely perfect!
You know, it’s funny. But I hate eating OREOs plain, but love everything made out of OREOs. This looks scrumptious.
wow this looks great! i love oreos
I’m just so happy that the Oreo Buttercream doesn’t have cream cheese in it. I’m so so so so so very happy! I’m totally making this my favorite cake in the near future!
this looks wonderful! oh my, this will be a celebration cake in my future for sure.
I’ve made a similiar version of these. Yours looks like a winner, too.
~ingrid
Dont you hat eit when you are about to make somethign and you realise the main nigrediant is missing. I do! But whata save and a great turn out. How impressive this cake is! Looks so soft and pillowy!!!!!
That is so beautiful! I want a piece!
That’s one gorgeous cake! I have no problem using a cake mix when it makes something as lovely as this!
This looks heavenly! We have that tradition too, where you get to pick the dinner for your birthday.
Oreo cake is what my 7 year old asked for EVERY year for his birthday!!
Nothing wrong with doctoring up a cake mix…usually the results are pretty great!
I am weak in the knees in-deed!!!
Mmmm, looks so good! I wish there was a birthday coming up so I’d have a good excuse to make this
!
I was looking on line for a oreo cooking recipe and your blog came up. I have so enjoyed setting here looking at it. I have gotten lots of ideas
This looks so decadent and delicious. Even though it’s from a box, I’ve bookmarked
Wow! I personally prefer caramel over chocolate, but I sure know some people who would be extremely happy if I made this for them!
You outdid yourself with this one girl. This looks sinfully delicious.
Oh my yum. It reminds me of when TGI Fridays had the Oreo Madness dessert….who in there right mind took that away? This looks crazy yummy!
hey,
made this for my son’s birthday. my son loved it! …. but it was so sweet it made my teeth hurt! really!
might think of cutting down the sugar if you make this one.
This is decadent… as desserts should be! I am bookmarking this and will probably create a smaller version of this…like a whoopi pie…:) Thanks for the inspiration!
I just made this cake for my husband for his birthday. It was SO yummy! The doctored cake mix turned out perfectly! So moist and delicious! Thanks for another great recipe!!!
Cake, tick, oreos, tick. How could 2 of my favourite things not be amazing – your photos are irresistible! Not sure I could get this mix here in Europe though…
Have madet his twice already…. A-May-Zing!
I halved this recipe (weighed out the cake mix on a kitchen scale). I still baked the layers in 2 9″ round pans, just made thinner layers. Delicious – I couldn’t wait to eat it but it actually got better tasting after sitting for 1/2 of a day!
This looks so goooooooood!
I seriously want to lick my screen! YUM!! I can’t wait to make this cake. Thanks!!
Wanting something untraditional and chocolate for my family’s Thanksgiving dessert table, I opted for this cake. Wow – it was AMAZING! So decedant that I had to chase almost every bite with a sip of milk, but a chocolate-lover’s delight! I plan to make it for Christmas using Andes Mints in the cake and mint chocoloate Oreos.
Do I have to use salted butter for the buttercream or can I use all unsalted?
Laura-
You can use all unsalted, just add a pinch of fine grain salt to the frosting.
-Jamie
Thanks so much!
I made this today. The frosting is REALLY sweet. But tastes really good. I hope everyone likes it tonight. One of my goals this year is to learn to bake. Here is step one. Kind of homemade:o)
YUM!! That looks soooo good. I’m going to try this tonight!
Oh, please tell me how you made the ganache! I want to make it for my son’s birthday on Sunday!
Tina-
Here is a great recipe for ganache. Enjoy!
-Jamie
Oh! I guess I could have just looked one up myself, but thanks so much! I am cooling my layers as we speak!
This cake looks delicious. However, we don’t have cake mix in Spain so, if it’s possible, do you know a similar recipe for making the chocolate cakes? I’d like to make this cake this weekend because we celebrate the Mother’s Day and my mum loves the Oreo’s cookies. Thanks. Regards from Spain
Monica-
I would just recommend using your favorite recipe for a chocolate layer cake! Have a great Mother’s Day!
-Jamie
I wanted to make something yummy out of food already in the pantry and the two things that stuck out to me were chocolate cake mix and oreo cookies. Thanks for helping a girl use up her pantry items!
I plan on making a version of this cake for my daughters b-day party this Sat. I’m not a fan of overly sweet things ( I know I know it’s a sin) so instead of doing the buttercream in the middle I’m opting for a sweetened mascarpone cheese
I kind of combined this recipe and the Cheesecake Factory’s Black Tuxedo Cheesecake! I love the mascarpone cheese! YUM! I’ll let you know how it turns out!
I just made this cake for my sister who was in town from Texas for her b-day. She is obsessed with chocolate and oreos so I was thrilled when I discovered this cake to make for her. Everyone who has had a slice loved it!! Thanks so much for this really fun recipe!
Does anyone know what the parchment paper is for? Am I supposed to grease the pan before putting the paper in it, or grease the paper (the recipe actually reads “grease the pan”)? I’m baking it right now without the paper (I greased the pan well), so I was just wondering how it will be different.
Thanks!!!!
ps – the batter was awesome!!!!!
Ann–
The parchment is just a little extra insurance so that the bottom of your cake doesn’t stick to the pan. Sometimes despite your best greasing efforts cakes will stick.
–Jamie
I have to find a reason to make this, and soon!
I made this cake last night. I LOVE the icing, but I really don’t care for the addition of chocolate chips to the cake. To me it makes it too rich and throws off the oreo flavor. I will try again and leave them out:) Thanks for the recipe!!!
I made this and it was DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you so much for the recipie!
I made this for my nephews birthday. I was so grateful for this recipe, I had been too busy to make one from scratch and worry about it being good enough. So thanks for sharing. I am so sorry to say this but everyone kept telling me how it was good but they couldn’t eat more than a few bites because it was to sweet. But I kept saying its for the kids sorry! I don’t know maybe cut out some of the chips? Or something. But that buttercream is soo amazing. Homerun with that. Thank you very much for sharing.
This cake tasted great and got good reviews. Does it work as well with other candies like Butterfingers or Snickers?
I have been looking all everywhere for an Oreo Recipe. I cannot wait to get home and try this out. I really hope that it is as good as it looks. Thanks.
YUMM these are like my dream flavors in a cake, I loovvee Oreos!
I reaaaally want to make this cake, but am just wondering what ‘a stick of butter’ actually is in grams/cups?
Soooooooo good! Very sweet but delicious.
YES YES YES PLEASE! Loving it!!!
looks yummy! I have to try this out!
Best done with only biscuit and scrape of the cream. For better results icing to be done one -three hours before the party
how many cups of 10x is 1 and a 1/2 pounds and could i put less that seems like alot like how about 2 cups??? plz reply ASAP
Bree-
It’s more around 5 1/2 or so. There are 7 1/2 cups in a 2-pound bag. Hope this helps.
-Jamie
I just made this oreo cake for a birthday…delicious to say the least! Hands down one of the best cakes I have ever had…now I’m off to go eat some more
what an amazing cake…but ended up being way to sweet for us…thank you for sharing
Hi I am going to be baking this cake and was wondering if there was a substitute for the instant chocolate pudding mix. Would it still taste good if I didnt add it? Thanks
Ruby-
I have not tried this recipe without the pudding, so I cannot attest to the outcome. Sorry I am not more of a help on this.
-Jamie
Hey i just have a question. Am I following the cake mix directions an adding the things they say?
Jessica-
Follow the directions as stated in the recipe – not the directions on the back of the box. Thanks for stopping by, I hope this clarifies your question.
-Jamie
Buttercream turned out great… I used a different cake recipe though: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/extreme-chocolate-cake/
I love this reciepe, it’s no shame to dress up a box cake mix when in a hurry and I am always in a hurry. Next time you make a coconut cake, use Duncan Hines Decadent coconut cake mix and use canned coconut milk for the water or milk, also add two more eggs. No one will ever know it is a mix unless you tell them. Also when baking cakes no matter what flavor, once you mix your cake mix, add one tub of wilton white cake icing to the batter, mix well then bake, this makes even the cheapest mixes taste so moist and rich.
Just made this cake…super easy..but VERY,VERY sweet! I added 4 Tbl of milk and the consistency seemed perfect until I added the oreos. Next time I will add more milk so it is creamier.That being said…it was a hit @ the party!!
Can you add food coloring to change the color of the filling?
Stephanie-
Sure! I think that’s a great idea. Enjoy.
-Jamie
Hi, Thanks for sharing this recipe. I want to make it “halloweeny” for my son’s birthday party at the end of October. If the food coloring works (I want the buttercream to be orange), I’ll post pics
Just baked the cakes and about to make icing, so excited!
Hope you answer this ASAP! (novice baker) Is it okay to leave this cake out at room temperature or should it be refrigerated? It will not be served for another 24 hours.
Thanks!!
Rachel
YUM!!! If I want to make cupcakes instead of a cake, are there any changes to the recipe? I’d LOVE to make this recipe as cupcakes for Thanksgiving!
Amber-
This recipe can definitely be adapted for cupcakes – here’s my favorite Doctored Up Cake Mix recipe: http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/doctored-up-cake-mix-recipe/ – which will pair perfectly with the Oreo frosting! Thanks for stopping by!
-Jamie
I love this recipe. How could you modify it for cupcakes?
Teresa-
The recipe can very easily modified for cupcakes; the only thing that would change is the baking time. Using a large cookie scoop to fill, bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes. I hope this helps – have a great day!
-Jamie
I see there has been a change in the industry away from 18.25 boxed cake mixes. Are there any modifications to your recipes that should be made for these smaller mixes (16.5 oz). Thank you!
Vicky-
I have noticed this as well. Some adjustments I have made regarding this change have been to reduce the oil to 3/4 cup and instead of using the large box of instant pudding, I have switched to using the smaller size (3.4 oz). Good luck and have a great day!
-Jamie
i made this over the holidays and it was a hit with the chocolate lovers! the only modification i made was using 3/4 of the powdered sugar bc it was sweet overall. Very moist, rich, and delicious! Thank you!
Van-
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for stopping by and providing your feedback – have a great day!
-Jamie
Can I just say this cake is amazing? I made it the other day for fun and it was AMAZINNGGGG! The whole family enjoyed it!!! The filling is a little sugary, but the semisweet morsels really balance everything out. And it’s like the cake melts in your mouth (I suppose its the pudding) Anyway it’s a favorite of mine and im about to go out to get some more ingredients to make another one!!!!!
I made this for my sister in laws birthday and it was almost the perfect cake. The frosting was hard to spread, I wlll add more milk next time but the cake was so moist, so rich I was shocked that was from a doctored boxed cake. I will be making this again…hopefully not too soon as I’m trying to still lose baby weight! lol
I thought this cake was just OKAY. True, the cake was very moist (I did sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream) but I found the cake had a weird after taste.. but eating it with the butter cream it was fine. I rate 3 out of 5.
thankyou for this website because i needed it for a project at school
BEST CAKE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<3<3<3<3
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