Celebrate in style with the ultimate food allergy friendly Gluten Free Cookie Dough Brownie Cake! This cake looks like something you’d order from a bakery but is free of the Top 8 Food Allergens making it: gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, peanut free, tree nut free and it’s even Vegan. Birthdays and special occasions just got easier for food allergy parents!
Thank you Enjoy Life Foods for sponsoring this post! #EatFreely
Prepare yourselves. This is pretty epic. Or at least I think so… Have you ever had a envisioned a beautiful cake for birthday or special celebration? The kind of cake you’d order from a bakery? Of course you have. We all do. But that vision is usually all we have since chances are you cannot find a bakery free of the top 8 food allergens. Right? Right.
Baking for many, is one of those necessary evils in our food allergy lives. Ok, not really evil. But it can seem evil. Frustrating would be a better term. Like most things in life, practice make perfect. If you aren’t baking all the time, failures are just part of the food allergy journey…
I am the first to admit I have had horrible fails with birthday occasions. Epic failures. The failures that leave you crying, not because the cake looks less than perfect or is deemed inedible. It’s that enormous pressure food allergy parents face when trying our very best to make a cake. Many food allergy parents are NOT bakers by nature or have mad decorating skills up our sleeves. But if we don’t make a safe cake, then who will?
And don’t get me started on regular baking failures… Baking without eggs alone is enough to just start the tears. Add in restrictions to wheat, soy, dairy, etc and your head sort of explodes. Am I right??
It’s getting over that fear of failure (which will happen in allergy free baking), and alleviate some stress associated with birthdays. The last thing you want happening is a house full of guests about to arrive any moment and you’re still working on the allergy cake recipe you found on the internet (but did not test before). You know it looks horrible and fear may taste equally as bad.
I know this feeling.
My horrible cake fail. Go figured I cried!
Do you see the photo of all that went wrong? The huge cracks. The frosting even shredded the delicate cake.
I don’t wish this result on anyone in the allergy world.
I’ve learned from these past failures. Always do a test run…unless you can’t… (Do people really make the full cake ahead of time? It’s expensive. It’s time consuming. And who needs a full extra cake sitting around the house days before another cake appears?)
Fear not if you cannot do a test run. There are some new helpful mixes to take the guessing work out of egg less gluten free baking.
I’ve mentioned them before, but the baking mixes from Enjoy Life Foods are life savers! These mixes are ready to go. Just add water and your favorite oil. Mix, bake and serve. No more measuring different flours. No more grabbing an all purpose mix, crossing your fingers it won’t turn out gummy when using an egg free recipe. That’s the cool thing about these mixes. They were built from the ground up with food allergies in mind. The flours were formulated with the knowledge that eggs would not be used for structure or even dairy. Not only are these mixes manufactured in a dedicated top 8 free facility, the mixes do not contain traditional xanthan gum or guar gum.
So what do they contain? Lots of things. Good nutrient dense things, like whole grain gluten free flours that even contain 5 grams of protein in each serving. Cutting edge probiotics that don’t need refrigeration and that survive the heat of baking. You can read more about these in a previous review here. And the best thing to love about the mixes is the ease of creating something as daunting (but decadent) as this gluten free cookie dough brownie cake!
Chocolate cake for birthdays is pretty much the typical dessert… People really love chocolate chip cookies too. Edible raw chocolate chip cookie dough is another one of those sinful necessary test tasting steps when baking… And that is basically how you know this cake will be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Two great desserts mashed into one with a no fail mix. And chocolate. Lots of lovely dark chocolate.
The main thing to know about this cake is you’ll need at least 2 9inch round pans. After mixing the cookie dough, press into the pans and allow the dough to firm up in the freezer. Remove the dough from the pans and then use the same pan for baking the brownie mix. Once the brownies have cooled off, stack alternating brownie and cookie dough layers. If like things to line up nicely, you might take the extra time to shave/shape the cookie dough layers to match the exact width of the brownies. Not necessary though. Complexity here is unnecessary.
Finish things off with a healthy drizzle of melted dark chocolate with your choice of fresh raspberries and a touch of coconut cream. (Completely optional if you are allergic to coconut). No matter how you choose top your gluten free cookie dough brownie cake, it will instantly become a food allergy favorite cake.
And one last thing to sweeten your day. Enjoy Life Foods is saying Thank You their readers. Enter below for your chance to WIN a chocolate and pancake prize pack. Good luck!
- 3¼ cup Enjoy Life All Purpose Gluten Free Flour Mix(1 box)
- 1¼ cup non hydrogenated palm shortening
- 1¼ cup sugar or coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup + 3Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp molasses
- 3 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup mini Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 box of Enjoy Life Foods Brownie Mix
- ¾ cup water
- 2 Tbsp oil of choice
- 1 cup Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips
- 2 Tbsp non-hydrogenated palm shortening
- optional 1 pint fresh raspberries
- optional extra chocolate chips for top
- optional dairy free coconut whipped cream
- Cream shortening, sugar, vanilla and molasses by hand or with a mixer until incorporated.
- Add water and half of gluten free flour. Mix well. Gradually add remaining flour, scraping down bowl and while mixing. Fold in chocolate chips. Divide dough in half.
- Press dough into a 2- 9 inch round pans lined with plastic wrap. Place pans in freezer for 15 minutes. Remove from pans when firm. Keep dough in refrigerator for easy assembly later.
- Combine brownie mix with oil and water. Mix well, scraping down bowl.
- Divide batter in half. Pour into 2- 9 inch round pans (same ones used for the cookie dough layer) with the bottom lined with parchment paper. Batter layers will be thin. Spread evenly to the sides.
- Bake at 350 for approximately 16-19 minutes or until center is dry and tooth pick comes out clean.
- Allow to fully cool in the pans on a wire rack before removing for assembly.
- Remove parchment paper and plastic wrap from layers prior to assembly. Place one brownie layer on the bottom of one pan, stack a cookie dough layer, brownie and last cookie dough layer.
- Melt half of chocolate chips with the shortening in the microwave. Add remaining chocolate chips and mix until melted and smooth. Pour over top of cake and quickly spread to cover top and drip down sides.
- Best served at room temperature.
Inspired by Life Love and Sugar
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods. All opinions are mine alone. Thank you for allowing me to continue to working with brands that meet our food allergy needs! For more about Enjoy Life Foods be sure to follow them for the latest news on Facebook and Twitter
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Some other things you may like: 
Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Cake (Dairy Free)– egg free, nut free, soy free
Gluten Free Vegan Brownie Ice Cream Cups
Rainbow Fruit Pizza (Gluten free Vegan)– egg free, dairy free nut free soy free
Best Easy Dairy Free Buttercream Vanilla Frosting– vegan
Chocolate Avocado Truffle Bliss Balls- nut free dairy free Vegan
Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough Bites– gluten free vegan FODMAPs friendly
Raspberry Cookie Dough Truffles– gluten free Vegan
Hello, I’m Laura! Thanks for stopping by… I hope this blog will help you or someone you know and love. 
what am amazingly decadent cake!! 🙂 drooling
Lol, I guess that means you like it! Thank you so much Bianca!
Oh wow that looks amazing! I can’t believe it’s gluten free! Gorgeous photos too!
Thank you Jamie! Love making gluten free and other allergy safe treats.
O boy!!! Craziness! When I saw you said this was coming yesterday on facebook….o man 😉 You delivered!
😀 I was dying to show more photos…So glad you approve Rebecca!
Gorgeous!
Thank you so much Amanda!
WOW this cake is everything I could ever want! Brownies are good, but brownies with cookie dough and extra chocolate is where its at!!
I couldn’t agree more Bethany! Thank you so much!
So pretty!
Thank you so much Amanda!
Oh my goodness! The Brownie Cookie Dough Cake is definitely something I will be making!
Yes, this cake is worth making! Thanks so much!
My kiddos would just pick off the chips, leaving the rest for me. Luckily the rest looks delish! !)
Lol, I guess that means more for YOU. 😀 Thanks so much Cathy!
I love everything about this cake!! Like pretty much everyone, I am a sucker for brownies and cookie dough!
Thank you Erin! Cookie dough and brownies are a great combo!
What a stunning cake – you’ve outdone yourself! Love how you create such beautiful allergy friendly treats – a real inspiration! Pinned!
Thank you so very much Jeanette. I really do want to make allergy friendly treats look and taste just as good as the non-allergy friendly treats you find in stores. <3
Ohhhhh myyyyy!!!!!!
Lol! Thank you Courtney!
This looks amazing. I am generally not a box mix person but I have used the flour and it was really nice.
Thank you Cathy! I usually don’t use mixes either since you never know if they work… these certainly do!
OMG that looks great! Can I buy an egg free version and will it ship? HA!
Lol, Michelle! Well, this is already egg free but I’m not so sure my kids would give up the cake for shipping. 😉
Cookie dough and brownie?! Whoa! Great, gluten-free & vegan recipe with simply beautiful results!
Thank you so much Patricia! Cookie dough and brownies are meant for each other!
Would love to own this, so I could grow my cooking & baking abilities.
Oops! I really love the teal color. Splash!!!
Good luck winning the mixer!
Wow, that is one gorgeous cake!
Thank you so much Kimberly! Can’t go wrong with chocolate, brownie and cookie dough!
What a beautiful cake! It looks just delicious!
Thank you so much Elle! It is our favorite allergy cake so far!
Wow that looks so delicious!! Definitely going to try it!
Thank you so much Sophie! I hope you can try making your own very soon!
Thank for making such a fabulous dessert look like the finest around. Who said food allergy baking was tasteless? I am sure it tastes amazing as well. Bravo!
Thank so much Caroline! Making allergy food look and taste good is always one of my goals. It helps the allergy kids who are often left out with nothing that resembles a beautiful store bought treat. Thank you again!
This cake looks divine!!
Thank you Mari!
That looks so amazing!! I didn’t know that Enjoy Foods also didn’t have xanthan or guar gum. I’ll have to take another look at them.
Yes, Rebecca! This is one of the rare mixes out there that is whole grain AND gum free. Definitely worth looking into!
Oh my stars! This cake looks deliciously decadent!!! Thank you for sharing so many wonderful recipes! ?
Thank you so much Jean!! I am happy to share allergy friendly recipes with everyone!
This looks so delicious. will have to try it soon. Thanks for sharing! The kitchen Aid mixers are great, would love the red one.
Thank you so much Brenda! A stand mixer would be great to have and red is classic!
Wow… Now this is something I NEED to try! And it’s gluten free? So prefect!
Yes Megan, you should try it it! It’s even egg free and dairy free. Thank you so much!
Oh my GOSH, Laura! This cake is absolutely insane! I can hardly even fathom that this is an allergy-friendly cake! I’m ready for a few slices right about now. 😉
Insanely good I hope, lol! 😀 Thank you so much Sarah. More proof you can have allergy safe AND beautiful treats.
your recipes are the best.
Aww, thank you Tara!! <3
This looks like such an amazing cake! Right up there with your chocolate brownie one! Can’t wait to try it… I actually have an upcoming birthday in March, so perfect timing.
Thank you so much Nermari! I hope you can make this for the next birthday!
Looks so delicious! Will be making it for my celiac husband soon. 🙂
Would love to win the Kitchen Aid Mixer…teal color is beautiful!
Thank you so much Lynn! I’m sure your husband will love it. Good luck winning!
Beautiful presentation and looks yummy! I have only a mild reaction to some gluten but really appreciate recipes without it. I do have a friend with many food allergies so I’ll share this recipe with her. Thanks so much! I am definitely a fan!
Thank you so much Christina! And thank you for sharing with another allergy family!<3
Magenta!
Good luck winning!
Oh!!!! I think I would go with the hot pink KitchenAid!!!
Pink looks pretty. Good luck!
Looks delish – would love to have a slice right now 😉
Thank you so much Cornelia! I wish I had a slice too!
Hi, wow, I can’t wait to try some of these sweets for your sweetie recipes, thanks & I love the red mixer
Thank you so much Theresa!
This is such a stunning cake, Laura!! You are a master at creating allergy friendly treats and have totally outdone yourself here! Love everything about this showstopper! <3
Aww, thank you so much Kelly! This cake was a lot of fun to create and go a little over the top, all in the name for food allergies! 😉
This cake looks amazing!
Thank you so much K!
I’ve been eyeing this cake all morning and dreaming that a slice would magically show up in front of me! I love the Enjoy Life chocolate chips, I’ll have to give their brownie mix a try! Absolutely delicious looking cake!
Thank you so much Danae! Yes, you need to try the brownie mix! So good. Thanks again!
I am all about this dessert! Can’t wait to try!
Thank you Kristyn! Easy and pretty too.
This is beautiful! Definitely am making this this year!
Thank you so much Sue! Hope you can make it soon!
This cake looks very beautiful. Unfortunately, if I were to make it, I would have to wear gloves, long sleeves and a mask to breathe through. I am allergic to chocolate. (sad face). I still drooled over the picture!
Does that count?
I thank you for the recipes and your hard work. I am not on social media. So, FB, T & etc. are a jungle to me. I bake and cook all the time. I have many allergies and cook for people that have different allergies than I do. It is rewarding and challenging. If I find some recipes that meet ALL your criteria, I will send them your way if you are interested.
Hi Vickie, Sorry to hear you have an allergy to chocolate. 🙁 I have heard that carob is similar to chocolate… You could always make the cookie dough portion minus chocolate chips with non dairy caramel sauce made from dates. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and I hope some of my recipes could help you!
Other than the fact that I want to face plant right into this cake!! I am also drooling over your photography!
Thank you so much Chandra! The cake tastes just as good at it looks. 😉
Gorgeous cake!!! I cannot have flax seed( which is in the brownie mix) do you have any other suggerstions of either mixes or recipes for the brownie layer that would hold up to layering? I so want to make this for Valentine’s Day!
Hi there, there are several mixes out there you could try for the brownie layers… Every mix you’ll try is going to act differently and may not hold up to stacking. I have not tried making it with another mix yet. Please let me know if you try this with another mix and how things turn out. Sorry to not be more helpful!
Have you tried another mix yet? My son needs to avoid flax, as well. Thanks for any update. 🙂
Oops. That question was for diamondluvr.
This is so impressive Laura! You amaze me by baking with such a limited list of ingredients. Such a rockstar!
Thank you so much Julie! I guess I’m just used to baking without a lot of eggs, dairy and wheat. 😀
This looks amazing! Any birthday kid would be lucky to have this 🙂 As a huge cookie dough fan, I can’t say I’d turn down a slice of this either 😛
This looks too amazing, Laura! Such a beautiful cake!
Thank you Petite Allergy Treats…I’m really happy I found you. You’re friendly and inviting!
While this recipe LQQKs delicious…I’m really LQQKing forward to your Coffee Cake recipes! *grin*
What a fun recipe and those photos couldn’t be more on point!
Omg that looks amazing and delicious!
This is perfect for me, I can eat every ingredient in this!! I usually bake for everyone else, but this one will be just for me! Thank you!!!
Could this also be made with regular flour? We only have to worry about dairy, soy, and egg free. It looks WONDERFUL!
Yes Melanie! You can always easily convert a Gluten Free recipe to regular wheat, simply sub flours 1:1 and omit any gums (xanthan or guar) if a mix contains it. One thing to note about these mixes from Enjoy Life Foods, is they are made in dedicated facilities free of soy, egg and other Top 8 Allergens.
Could I use earth balance butter sticks as a substitute for the palm shortening? Or is there another dairy free interchangeable ingredient you would recommend?
Hi Jackie,
Earth’s Balance would be a great substitute!
Hi Laura,
Any idea what I could use as a substitute for palm shortening? I’m having a hard time finding it.
Thanks!
JUST saw above comment:)