Frosted Animal Cookie Layer Cake

Treat yourself to the nostalgic taste of frosted animal cookies, dressed up and baked into a bright and cheery layer cake! This pink-and-white animal cracker layer cake recipe is fun for the whole family.
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Frosted Animal Cookie Layer Cake
Treat yourself to the nostalgic taste of frosted animal cookies, dressed up and baked into a bright and cheery layer cake! This pink-and-white animal cracker layer cake recipe is fun for the whole family.

June 22, 2026
URL: https://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/frosted-animal-cookie-layer-cake-9634

  • Prep time 45 minutes
  • Total time 120 minutes
  • Servings 12

Ingredients

  • PAM® Baking Spray

  • 1 pkg (15.25 oz each) Duncan Hines® Classic White Cake Mix

  • 1 cup water

  • 3 large egg whites

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 pkg (11.3 oz each) frosted animal cookies, divided

  • pink food gel

  • 1 container (16 oz each) Duncan Hines® Creamy Vanilla Frosting

  • 1 tablespoon milk

  • rainbow nonpareils

Nutrition Information

533 calories, 71g carbs

View complete nutrition information

Nutrition Information

533 calories, 71g carbs

View complete nutrition information

Directions

  • Step one

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray three 8-inch round cake pans with baking spray.

  • Step two

    Blend cake mix, water, eggs, oil and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

  • Step three

    Set aside 20 frosted animal cookies for decorating the frosted cake. Crush remaining animal cookies into coarse crumbs.

  • Step four

    Place one-third of the cake batter in a small bowl, about 1-1/2 cups. Stir 4 to 5 drops pink food gel to the small bowl until blended. Fold 1/2-cup of crushed animal cookies into the pink batter. Pour into one pan.

  • Step five

    Divide remaining white cake batter evenly between two cake pans. Bake all three cakes 14 to 16 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.

  • Step six

    GLAZE: Place 1/3-cup frosting in a small bowl and stir in 4 to 5 drops pink food gel and milk; set aside.

  • Step seven

    Place one white cake on serving plate. Spread the top with a thin layer orf frosting. Sprinkle with 1/2-cup crushed cookies. Center pink cake on the base and press lightly to adhere. Spread a thin layer of frosting on and sprinkle with 1/2-cup crushed cookies. Top with second white cake, bottom side up to ensure a flat cake top.

  • Step eight

    Frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Pour pink glaze on top of the frosted cake, pushing towards the edge to encourage drips down the side.

  • Step nine

    Sprinkle rainbow nonpareils on top of the glazed cake. Decorate sides of cake with whole cookies. Slice and serve.

Nutrition Information

533 calories, 71g carbs

View complete nutrition information

Frosted Animal Cookie Layer Cake

Nutrition information

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calcium 81 mg 8%
Carbohydrate 71 g 24%
Cholesterol 0
Total Fat 27 g 42%
Iron 1 mg 6%
Calories 533 kcal 27%
Sodium 408 mg 17%
Protein 3 g 7%
Saturated Fat 10 g 50%
Sugars 53 g 5%
Vitamin C 0

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