This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please see our full disclosure policy for details.
Golden Oreos are one of our absolute favorites which is why I am always adding them to desserts, like this Golden Oreo Cake. I even have an amazing cookie bar recipe in my new cookbook, Practically Homemade Cookies & Bars.
Table of Contents
There are so many things to love about this Golden Oreo cake recipe. The first being the homemade taste and texture you get by combining a box of instant pudding to the cake mix. It results in an incredibly moist cake with minimal ingredients.
The real secret however, is the amount of Oreos in both the cake batter and on top of the cake. The taste and texture they add is next level and will keep this recipe on your baking rotation.
You also need to try this Golden Oreo Cheesecake, Golden Oreo Truffles and a sweet layered Golden Oreo Lasagna.
What goes into this Recipe
- Cake Mix: This is the perfect starting point for our easy recipe. It creates a super soft, fluffy base that we’ll make even better with our mix-ins.
- Pudding Mix: This makes the cake super moist and adds extra flavor. Just make sure to get instant pudding (not the cook-and-serve kind).
- Milk: You’ll use this both in the cake and to thin out your frosting. Any kind of milk you have on hand will work. Heavy cream would also work.
- Golden Oreos: You’ll need about 36 Golden Oreo cookies total {or a Family Size package} – 12 for mixing into the cake batter and 12 for the topping, plus 12 whole cookies on each serving. You can crush them in a food processor for fine crumbs, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Either way works great!
- Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before starting. This helps it blend smoothly and prevents any lumps. I use a full 8 oz of cream cheese for the perfect amount of tangy sweetness.
- Butter: Like the cream cheese, you’ll want this softened to room temperature for the frosting. It helps create that perfect creamy consistency that spreads beautifully on the top of the cake.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make This Golden Oreo Cake
- In your large bowl, combine the white cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Mix everything together until your cake batter is smooth and thick. Then fold in those crushed Golden Oreo cookies until they’re evenly spread throughout.
- The next step is to pour your batter into the prepared 9×13 pan. Take a rubber spatula and smooth out the top so it’s nice and even.
- Bake your cake for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. Let it cool completely before frosting!
- While your cake is cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature, then beat them together until they’re smooth and creamy. Mix in the vanilla extract and gradually add your powdered sugar. If the frosting seems too thick, add a little milk until it’s just right. Then once your cake is completely cool, spread the frosting over the top of the cake.
- For the finishing touch, sprinkle those extra chunks of Golden Oreos all over the top of your cake.
- Then top each serving with a whole Golden Oreo and serve it right away or pop it in the fridge to let the frosting set up a bit.
Expert Tips
- Let your ingredients warm up first. Set out your eggs, cream cheese, and butter about an hour before you start baking. This helps everything mix together smoothly without lumps.
- Be gentle with the mixing. Once you add the crushed Oreos to the batter, just stir until they’re mixed in. Too much mixing can make your cake dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Vary your cookie crumb sizes. You’ll want larger crumbs for the cake batter so they add texture, but slightly crumbs for the topping to cover the top of the cake.
- Add the cookie crumbs to your frosting instead of on top of the cake. This will make a delicious Golden Oreo buttercream!
- Watch your bake time. Your cake is done when a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs on it {but no raw cake batter} – this gives you perfectly moist slices every time.
- Add rainbow sprinkles to the cake batter. This will give you a super festive and fun cake that is perfect for celebrations.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Your Golden Oreo Cake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days so you have it on hand whenever a sweet tooth strikes! Because of the cream cheese frosting, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. For the best taste and texture, let refrigerated slices sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.
Freeze: While you can freeze this cake, the texture of the frosting might change slightly when thawed. If you want to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the cake unfrosted. Then add the frosting and cookie crumbs after thawing.
Recipe FAQs
The most common reason is opening the oven door while baking. Try to resist peeking until at least 25 minutes into baking time. Also, make sure your pudding mix is instant, not cook-and-serve, as this can affect how the cake rises.
This recipe is perfect for a 9×13 pan, but you can make it in two 8-inch round pans for a layer cake. Just watch the baking time – it might need a few minutes less. Divide the Oreo crumbs and frosting evenly between the layers.
You can also make about 24 cupcakes. Fill each liner 2/3 full and reduce the baking time to 18-22 minutes. Top each cupcake with frosting, Golden Oreo crumbs and a whole cookie.
The key is making sure both your cream cheese and butter are fully softened to room temperature – this usually takes about an hour on the counter. If you still see lumps, try beating the cream cheese by itself first before adding the other frosting ingredients.
Absolutely! While this recipe is designed with Golden Oreos in mind, regular Oreos work just as well. Of course, the cake will have a different look and a different flavor than this golden Oreo version.
Do you love easy to make Cakes? Try these recipes…
Did you try this recipe?
Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Easy Golden Oreo Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box white cake mix, {13.25 ounces}
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix, {3.25 ounces}
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup Golden Oreo crumbs, {about 12 cookies}
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, {softened}
- ¼ cup butter, {softened}
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½-4 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons milk, {to thin}
Topping
- ¾ cup Golden Oreo crumbs, {about 12 cookies}
- 12 Golden Oreo Cookies, {optional}
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Cake
- Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, milk and oil in a large bowl and combine using an electric mixer {or by hand}. Mix until all of the ingredients are nicely incorporated and the batter is thick. Add the Golden Oreo Crumbs and mix until they are evenly distributed. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread out into an even layer.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs {but no raw batter}. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- For the cream cheese frosting, combine the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a hand held mixer until creamy and smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar and continue to mix until you have a spreadable consistency. Add enough milk to get the consistency you want.
Assembly
- Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the frosting on top of the cake and spread out into an even layer. Top with Golden Oreo crumbs and whole Golden Oreos and serve. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We love Golden Oreos around here and this was such a fun way to use them!