6 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
3 cups confectioners' sugar
Basic Vanilla Cake, recipe follows, baked and cooled
15 chocolate sandwich cookies or other cookies, chopped
2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pans
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup heavy cream