Oreo Layer Cake (Doctored Cake Mix)

Learn how to make a stunning Oreo layer cake using doctored cake mix! This easy cookies and cream cake features chocolate layers, creamy filling, ganache, and Oreo buttercream.

I’ve made this cake more times than I can count over the years—but somehow never stopped to properly document it until now. It’s one of those tried-and-true cakes I pull out for parties, birthdays, and special events because it always gets a reaction when you slice into it.

I call it my Oreo cake, even though there aren’t Oreos baked directly into the cake layers. The magic happens in the filling and frosting. When you cut into it, you get that perfect cookies-and-cream look—dark chocolate layers with a creamy white center, just like a classic Oreo.

It’s rich, fun, and completely customizable for just about any occasion.

If you love working with cake mix, be sure to check out my Cake Mix Creations collection.

At a Glance

Skill Level: Intermediate (but very doable with cake mixes)
Flavor Profile: Rich chocolate + creamy vanilla + cookies & cream
Options Included: Ganache filling, Oreo buttercream, optional pudding upgrade
Best For: Birthdays, parties, Oreo lovers, celebration cakes

Why This Oreo Cake Works

• Uses simple cake mixes for consistency
• Balanced with ganache + Oreos (not too heavy)
• Soft, sliceable layers that hold their shape

And speaking of layers. . .

It's all About those Luscious Layers!

This cake is all about contrast—both in flavor and appearance.

• Three 9-inch cake layers
  • Bottom: Chocolate (devil’s food)
  • Middle: White
  • Top: Chocolate
• Cookies & cream filling between each layer
• Oreo buttercream frosting on the outside
• Whole Oreo cookies pressed around the base
• That chocolate-white-chocolate layering is what gives you that signature Oreo look when sliced.

Oreo Cake Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here's a quick look at what you'll need to make this cake. These are simple ingredients. And remember, this one starts with boxed cake mix, but it certainly doesn't end there.

For the Cake

• 3 cake mixes
  (2 chocolate/devil’s food + 1 white)
• 9 large eggs (3 per cake mix)
• 3 cups milk (1 cup per cake mix, in place of water)
• 1 ½ cups oil (½ cup per cake mix)
• 1 large box cookies & cream (Oreo-style) instant pudding mix, divided
  (about ⅓ box per cake)
• 3 teaspoons vanilla (one per cake mix)

For the Ganache

• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

👉 This gives you a smooth, spreadable ganache—not too runny, not too stiff.

For the Oreo Cream Cheese Buttercream

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (salted or unsalted, your choice)
• 1 cup Crisco
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 (2-pound) bag powdered sugar
• Milk, as needed (to thin)
• Crushed Oreos (from above)

Oreos

• 1 standard family-size package Oreos, use as follows:
  • 2 sleeves, crushed
    • For mixing into ganache
    • For adding to frosting
  • Remaining whole Oreos
    • For decorating around the base of the cake

Quick Notes (optional but helpful)

• Crush Oreos finely for frosting so it spreads smoothly
• Keep some larger chunks for the ganache filling for texture
• Ganache will thicken as it cools—let it sit a bit before spreading

How to Make an Oreo Layer Cake

Bake the three cakes:

You will start by baking the cakes as directed, replacing the water with milk, and adding the Oreo pudding. Bake in prepped 9" pans, then cool on a wire rack before assembling.

Make the Buttercream:

Beat the cream cheese until light and smooth. Add butter, shortening, and vanilla and mix until creamy. Add vanilla extract and slowly work in the powdered sugar. You can thin the buttercream with milk, if needed.

Set aside about a third of the frosting, leaving it pure white for the crumb coat. To the rest, add a cup of crushed Oreos and mix well.

Make the Ganache Filling:

Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring between times. It usually takes about a minute and a half for the chips to melt. Stir well until it all comes together in a ganache.

Time to Bring the Cake Together!

Place your first chocolate layer on the cake board. Add frosting, then pipe a dam. Fill with ganache and crushed Oreos.

Add the white layer and repeat.

Top with the final chocolate layer.

Once stacked:

Apply a crumb coat in white frosting. Chill if needed. Finish with a final coat of Oreo buttercream.

Finishing Touches

This is where the cake really comes to life.

• Frost the entire cake in Oreo buttercream
• Press whole Oreo cookies around the base
• Optional:
  • Add chocolate drip
  • Sprinkle crushed Oreos on top
  • Pipe decorative borders

That Oreo border makes the cake instantly recognizable. And you can always add swirls of frosting on top, along with more Oreos.

That Perfect Oreo Slice

When you cut into this cake, you’ll see those beautiful layers—dark chocolate, bright white, then chocolate again.

It really does look like a giant Oreo, and it always makes people smile.

How to Customize This Oreo Cake

One of my favorite things about this cake is how easy it is to adapt.

I’ve used this same base design for all kinds of events.

Baseball-Themed Oreo Cake

I added simple red stitching across the top to mimic a baseball. Same cake—completely different look.

Retirement Party Cake

I kept the Oreo design but added a company logo to the side. It made the cake feel personal and custom without changing the structure.

Easy Decorating Ideas

• Chocolate drip
• Crushed Oreos on top or sides
• Birthday messages
• Holiday color accents
• Themed toppers

Start with the classic Oreo look, then layer on your theme.

Questions People are Asking

Can I Use Funfetti Oreo Cake Mixes and skip the pudding?

• Absolutely! This will certainly simplify things!

Can I use the leftover ganache as a drip on top?

• Certainly. You might need to thin it down a bit if it's been sitting for a while.

Do I have to use regular Chocolate Oreos?

• No! In fact, this cake would be lovely with lemon Oreos. Bake up two lemon cakes and one white cake, then build the Oreo cake the same way (skipping the ganache, of course). You can also go with Golden Oreos and use golden butter cake for the top and bottom cakes with white in the middle. My favorite? Mint Oreos. Add Andes mint chips to the top and bottom chocolate cakes, and use a few in the chocolate ganache, as well. The Mint Oreo cake would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Love This Cake?

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out my full collection of cake recipes, decorating ideas, and party-ready desserts.

This is one of those cakes that looks impressive but comes together with simple, approachable techniques—and once you make it, you’ll see why I keep coming back to it again and again. 🍪🎂

Here’s a quick, printable version of this Oreo layer cake recipe. For full step-by-step instructions and decorating tips, scroll up!

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV