Cookie Dough Cake

basic butter cake
1 c butter (2 sticks), softened
2 c sugar
3 c self-rising flour, sifted
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 and 1/4 c milk, room temperature
1 t vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350°.

Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans. Using a mixer fitted with whisk attachment, cream butter until fluffy, approximately 3 minutes. Add sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes, scraping down bowl a couple of times. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down bowl. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and beat until just mixed.

Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4 inches above counter and drop it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure a more level cake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 5 to 10 minutes, then invert cakes onto cooling racks lined with plastic wrap. Wrap tightly when cooled and freeze for at least 1 hour prior to decorating.

cookie dough filling
4 T butter, softened
6 T light brown sugar, packed
1 c plus 2 T flour
7 oz sweetened condensed milk
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 c mini semisweet chocolate chips

To make cookie dough filling, cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add in flour, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, mix until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until incorporated and smooth. Stir in chocolate chips by hand. Remove dough from bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, one hour minimum.

When set, scoop into small balls using a melon baller or similar instrument. Set cookie balls on cookie sheet lined with wax paper and place in refrigerator until ready to assemble cake.

brown sugar frosting
1 and 1/2 c butter (3 sticks), softened
4 c powdered sugar
2 c light brown sugar
3 T vanilla
3 T flour
Cream all ingredients on medium high speed until very smooth, approximately 5 minutes.

cake assembly
Place one cake layer on decorative plate. Remove one third frosting to another bowl and add approximately 15 cookie dough balls. Stir gently to cover cookie dough with frosting. Spread frosting with cookie dough balls evenly on cake layer so cookie dough is in a single layer. Add second cake layer to top and frost evenly with remaining frosting, spreading over sides. Decorate with mini chocolate chips and chocolate chip cookies, if desired. Store tightly covered in refrigerator. Serves 20.