You may have noticed that, in recent months, I’ve gone from doing two posts a week to one. It’s not because I am not enjoying baking or blogging or anything like that. I’m just generally burnt out. I started to feel it around the holidays (every baker’s busy season), but tried to keep going until I realized that it’s okay to slow down a little bit, especially if the alternative is having a meltdown. I’m working more than ever and getting back to a more pre-pandemic level of socializing, and combining that with my natural introversion and some classic depression and anxiety led me to a bit of a breaking point.

Rather than disappearing completely (which I didn’t want to do), I’ve been taking it easy on myself for the time being. It’s been good for my brain and put some joy back in this place. Though I still feel some unnecessary shame for cutting back on posting, I will say that lightening my load has resulted in what I feel is a higher quality of baked goods on here. I really want every one to be a showstopper. Today’s Cookies & Cream Bundt Cake definitely fits that bill!

I mean, if the icing and decorative pieces of Oreo don’t immediately grab your attention, the chunks of cookie throughout the cake just might do it. There are 30 Oreos in the cake batter alone—we are not skimping on the cookies in this cookies & cream!

The batter for this bundt is just another variation on my favorite recipe. Why is it my favorite? Because it’s so easy to make! Simply throw all the ingredients in a bowl and mix the living daylights out of them for 3 1/2 minutes, then fold in the Oreos before baking. Here, I’ve added a little sour cream for flavor, texture and to keep all the Oreo pieces from sinking to the bottom. That means you get a little Oreo in every bite!

Isn’t she gorgeous? I mean, I’ve never seen an ugly bundt cake, but one with this many Oreos?! That’s showstopper material.

Cookies & Cream Bundt Cake
makes one 10-cup capacity bundt

Cake:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 16 pieces
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt
3/4 cup milk (preferably whole), room temperature
1/4 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
30 Oreos (regular or Double Stuf), cut into quarters

Icing & Garnish:
1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
2-3 tablespoons whole milk 
pinch of Kosher or sea salt
4-6 Oreos, cut/broken into chunks

Place an oven rack in the center position. Preheat oven to 325F. Heavily grease a bundt pan with softened butter (or shortening) and dust with flour. Set aside.

Make the cake. Combine all ingredients except Oreos in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to mix on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes. Batter will be thick. Fold in Oreos.

Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth the top with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon. Tap full pan on the counter five times to release any large air bubbles. Bake 65-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in several places comes out clean.

Let cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a thin, flexible knife around all exposed edges. Invert cake onto a cooling rack and let cake cool completely. Cake may be made up to a day in advance; it will keep double-wrapped in plastic wrap.

Ice and garnish the cake. Place a cooling rack over a sheet of parchment. Place cake on the cooling rack.

Make the icing. In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk together confectioners sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and salt. Mixture should be very thick, but pourable. If it’s too thick, add more milk by the teaspoon; if it’s too thin, add more confectioners sugar in 2 tablespoon increments. Pour over cake. Immediately scatter chopped Oreos over the top. Let sit for 20 minutes to set. Move cake to a serving plate before slicing and serving.

Leftover cake will keep covered at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to five. Oreo garnish will soften over time.