Why You’ll Love Irresistible Football Cookie Cake Recipe

This cookie cake is crowd‑pleasing and simple to make in under an hour. The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate delivers rich, satisfying flavor, and the football shape adds a festive touch that’s perfect for parties. It’s also designed to feed a group, so you won’t need to bake a bunch of individual cookies.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookie dough:
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons of softened butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1¾ cups all‑purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup roughly chopped peanuts

For the assembly:
1 cup additional chocolate chips for melting
1 teaspoon vegetable oil to help melt the chocolate
1 tablespoon white frosting for piping the football laces

Directions

Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in wet ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, then beat until fully incorporated.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Then stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips and the chopped peanuts.
Bake the cookie: Press the dough evenly into a foil‑lined 9‑inch round pan. Bake for 18–22 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the cookie cool completely in the pan.
Shape the football: Once completely cool, carefully remove the cookie from the pan. Cut a 1‑inch wide strip from the center of the cookie to create two pieces that will form the football shape.
Prepare the chocolate: Melt the remaining cup of chocolate chips with the vegetable oil until smooth and pourable. Let it cool slightly so it isn’t too hot.
Assemble: Spread a thin layer of the melted chocolate on the cut edges of each half and press them together to form a football shape.
Decorate: Spread the remaining melted chocolate over the top surface of the assembled cookie football. Allow the chocolate to set, then use the white frosting to pipe the football laces on top.

Servings and timing

Servings: About 10 slices
Preparation time: 20–30 minutes
Cooking time: 18–22 minutes
Total time: Approximately 40–55 minutes

Variations

Nut‑free option: Replace peanuts with chopped almonds or walnuts, or simply omit the nuts entirely for a smooth texture.
Chocolate twist: Use dark or milk chocolate chips based on your preference, even adding a swirl of white chocolate for visual flair.
Team colors: Swap the white frosting for colored frosting to match your favorite team’s colors.
Gluten‑free: Use a gluten‑free all‑purpose flour blend in place of regular flour for those avoiding gluten.

Storage/Reheating

Store at room temperature: Keep the cookie cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freeze: Wrap the cookie cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Let thaw to room temperature before serving. For a warm slice, microwave individual pieces for 10–15 seconds.

FAQs

What if I don’t have creamy peanut butter?

You can substitute crunchy peanut butter, though the texture will be slightly chunkier.

Can I make this without peanuts?

Yes, you can omit the peanuts or swap them for another type of chopped nut such as almonds or walnuts.

How do I prevent the cookie from overbaking?

Bake until the edges are set and the center looks slightly underdone — it will continue to firm up as it cools.

Can I skip the chocolate topping?

Absolutely — you can use frosting instead of melted chocolate for a different look and flavor.

What’s the best pan to use?

A 9‑inch round cake pan works great for forming the cookie into a football shape after baking.

How do I make the football laces look neat?

Using a small piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with a tiny corner snipped off gives you better control when piping the frosting.

Can I use store‑bought cookie dough?

Yes, you can use refrigerated cookie dough; just shape it into a round before baking.

How should leftovers be stored?

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cookie a day ahead and decorate it closer to the time you’ll serve it.

Is this recipe suitable for kids to help with?

Yes, kids can help with mixing, shaping, and decorating the cookie cake (with adult supervision).

Conclusion

This football cookie cake is a delicious and fun dessert that makes any game‑day celebration extra special. With a rich peanut butter base, chocolate finish, and cute football design, it’s sure to impress your guests and satisfy sweet cravings. Customize it to match your team colors or dietary needs and enjoy every slice.